PAKORA PULAO

Ingredients:
Rice - 1 cup
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Bay leaves - 2 
Cloves - 3-4
Black cardamom -2
Cinnamon sticks -2
Peppercorns -5-6
Salt - 1 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp

For the pakoras:
Bengal gram dal -1/2 cup
Onion -1
Coriander leaves -1 tbsp
Green chillies -2-3
Salt -1/2 tsp
Oil for frying

For garnishing:

Coriander leaves and tomatoes

Method:

To make the pakoras:

• Soak the dal for 1-2 hours. Wash and grind to a coarse paste.
• Mix chopped onion, green chillies, salt and coriander leaves in dal paste.
• Heat the oil in pan, make small balls with dal mixture and drop in hot oil.
• Deep fry till golden brown.

To make the Pulao:

•  wash and soak the rice for 15 minutes.
• Heat the oil in thick bottom pan and season it with cumin seeds, bay leaves, cloves, black pepper, cardamom and cinnamon; fry for 1-2 minutes in low flame.
• Add the rice, mix and fry for 1-2 minutes in high flame.
• Then add 2 cups of water and salt. Stir well and bring to the boil.
• Cover and cook on a low heat till the rice is cooked.

To prepare the Pulao:

• Spread a layer of the prepared rice in a serving tray.
• Then arrange the pakoras over the pulao to form another layer.
• Garnish with sliced tomatoes and coriander leaves.