3 April, 2023
NAVRATAN PULAO RECIPE
NAVRATAN PULAO RECIPE
Navratan pulao, a delightful and aromatic Indian rice dish, is a revered culinary treasure that blends various vegetables, nuts and aromatic spices. This flavorsome rice delicacy, often served on special occasions or festive gatherings, derives its name from “Navratan”, which means nine gems, signifying the variety of ingredients it incorporates.
Navratan consists of two words. “Nav” means “Nine” and “Ratan” means “Gems”. And wherever 9 Gems come together, it is called “Navratan”.
Note:
- In the Navratan Pulao Recipe, rice is always cooked together with spices, vegetables and nuts to add all the colors and flavors to the Pulao. These are not cooked separately and added later to the rice. This recipe is more about the technique of cooking than the number of ingredients used in it.
- Classically things you must not do in Navratan, is that its sweetness should not go. Sweetness is important in any Navratan dish, be it Navratan Pulao or Navratan Korma. To balance that Sweetness, add Saffron Strands, Green Cardamom and Cinnamon.
- Never add red chillies to it.
- Feel free to personalize your Navratan Pulao by adding or substituting ingredients according to your taste preferences.
- Use “Sella Basmati Rice” for Pulao. Sella is steamed inside the husk itself which gives the rice a strong structure and it doesn’t break easily.
How To Make Navratan Pulao?
NAVRATAN PULAO RECIPE:
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 30 minutes | 4 |
INGREDIENTS:
| Nuts | Vegetables | Whole Spices | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 nos Cashew Nuts | ½ cup Carrots (Diced) | 1½ tsp Cumin Seeds | 1 cup Basmati Rice |
| 2 tsp Raisins | ½ cup Beans (Cubes) | 1 nos Bay Leaf | 1½ cup Water |
| 8-10 nos Almonds | ½ cup Potatoes (Diced) | 4-5 nos Cloves | Ghee (Clarified Butter) for Frying |
| 5 nos Walnuts (optional) | ½ cup Cauliflower Florets | 5-7 nos Black Pepper | 2 tsp Ginger (Chopped) |
| 3 nos Dates (Sliced) | ½ cup Green Peas | 1 Cinnamon | 2 tsp Garlic (Chopped) |
| ½ cup Paneer Cubes (fried) | 7-8 nos Green Cardamom | 1-2 Green Chillies (Slit) | |
| 1 Black Cardamom | Salt To Taste | ||
| Birista (Fried Onions) | |||
| Saffron Milk |
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preparing Vegetables and Nuts:
- Wash and chop the vegetables into small pieces but not too small. The bigger the piece of vegetables, the better it will be or else, vegetables will get mashed.
- Sauté these vegetables in medium hot oil or ghee until lightly coloured or half cooked. If the vegetables are fully cooked at this stage then it will be overdone or overcooked after we give it a “Dum” with rice. The vegetables should be crunchy. It should have a bite in it. (Add any vegetables of choice).
- Roast all the nuts lightly in a pan over medium flame until golden brown. Strain out all the excess Ghee from these and take out on a plate.
2. Preparing Rice:
- Rinse and soak the Basmati Rice for 30 minutes before use.
- Drain all the water from rice.
3. Preparing Birista (Onions):
- Heat ½ cup Ghee (Clarified Butter) in a pan.
- Fry sliced onions in oil until onions turn brown.
- Turn off the flame and strain the fried onions. Press the onions while straining so that the excess Ghee gets out. Take fried onions out on a plate.
4. Final Cooking:
- Heat Ghee in a pan and add all the whole spices to it. Let them splutter.
- Then add ginger, garlic and green chillies. Give it a quick stir.
- Add fried vegetables, salt and 1½ cup water. Cook it on high flame for 3-4 minutes. Let it boil.
- When water has a good boil, add soaked rice to it. Give it a stir.
- Add Peas, fried Paneer, fried nuts, fried onions and saffron milk to it.
- Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Our Navratan Pulao is ready to serve.
Health Benefits of Navratan Pulao:
Navratan Pulao is a wholesome meal offering a blend of essential nutrients from vegetables and nuts, making it a great source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers. Its balanced composition contributes to a healthy diet.
Navratan Pulao: A Cultural Perspective:
This dish holds historical significance, dating back to the royal kitchens of Mughal emperors. It is often served during festive occasions, symbolizing prosperity and richness.
People say that this recipe was made during Emperor Akbar’s reign in India. And like Akbar’s nine gems, nine types of vegetables and dry fruits were added to it. That’s why it is named Navratan Pulao.
And further this culture became like that all the dishes with Nine Ingredients were called “Navratan”.
Almonds, Raisins, Cashews, Walnuts, Potatoes, Carrots, Peas, Cauliflower, Paneer are the main 9 ingredients.
Serving and Presentation Suggestions:
Enhance the visual appeal by garnishing with fried onions, mint leaves, or fried paneer or potatoes.
Pair it with raita or a tangy pickle for a complete meal experience.