I have been making rice, especially this easy mattar pulao with fluffy rice since I was a teenager. The key to this is an easy rice hack that guarantees fluffy rice no matter what you are cooking! When I shared this on Instagram, you guys were just as excited for me as I was for you to discover this easy rice recipe and hack!
What is Matar Pulao or Peas Pilaf?
This is a simple rice dish made with basmati rice (I use this brand – do not use any other kind of rice except basmati!), frozen peas, cumin seeds, salt, oil, and water. The thing that I love about this recipe, in addition to how quickly and mindlessly it comes together, is that my daughter actually eats it and gets some veggies in! That is a huge win in my mind!
What is the trick to fluffy rice?
Okay here is the deal! The trick to making ANY recipe with rice fluffy (peas or without) is the INDEX finger trick. I am sure I am not the only one using this trick as I learned from my Insta fam! Once your rice and ingredients are in, you pour in the water. As you are pouring the water into the pot, carefully put your index finger on the top of the rice being careful not to burn your finger. As you pour the water (warm), stop pouring the water when the water level reaches the first digit/line on your index finger! This trick works for ANY amount of rice in ANY pot/pan. It works when the rice has meat, veggies, or any other additions as well. The only down side is that the starch from the rice is not drained off like we do when we boil rice.
Matar Pulao/Peas Pilaf and Fluffy Rice Hack
Course: MainCuisine: Pakistani, Desi, South AsianDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes25
minutes30
minutesIngredients
1 cup frozen peas
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 tablespoons oil
2 cups basmati rice
3 cups water or use the index finger trick!
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400F
- In a heavy bottomed oven safe pot, heat oil on medium heat
- Once oil is warm, add salt and cumin seeds and let it sizzle for a few seconds
- Add in peas, rice, and water and put the lid on
- Turn the heat on high and let the water evaporate. Check often to make sure the rice does not stick to the pan
- Once water is dried, place the pot in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Once done, take out of the oven and fluff the rice with a slotted spoon/spatula.
- Enjoy with a side of yogurt, curry, etc!
Thats it!! This matar pulao rice dish is super easy and tastes incredible with a side of Butter Chicken or Baingan Raita, or Aloo Kachri and some salad for an easy vegetarian dinner! It tastes amazing due to the fluffy rice and
Let me know in the comments if you try this easy matar pulao/peas pilaf!
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[…] the first thing I learned to cook WAS rice – I mean I am all about rice and rice hacks!. The second thing I learned was Biryani, at the age of 14. Since then, in the last 16 years, I […]