Beetroot Pulao– Instant Pot and Stove top method

 Ingredients

Produce

• • 1 Bay leaf
• • 1 Beet or beetroot
• • 1 tsp Coriander
• • 1/2 tbsp Garlic
• • 1/2 tbsp Ginger
• • 1/2 cup Green peas
• • 1/2 Onion

Condiments

• • 1 tbsp Lemon juice

Pasta & grains

• • 1 cup Basmati rice

Baking & spices

• • 1 inch Cinnamon
• • 1/2 tsp Garam masala
• • 1/2 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
• • 6 Peppercorns, Black
• • 2 tsp Salt
• • 1/4 tsp Turmeric, Ground

Oils & vinegars

• • 1 tbsp Ghee or oil

Nuts & seeds

• • 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds

Liquids

• • 1 1/4 cup Water

Other

• • 3 Cloves (laung)
• • 1 Star anaise

Instructions 

• Start the instant pot in sauté mode and heat it. Add ghee, cumin seeds and whole spices and sauté them for 30 seconds until the cumin seeds change color.
• Add the sliced onions, ginger, garlic and sauté for 3 minutes.
• Add the beets, green peas and spices. Mix well.
• Add the rice and water to the pot. Stir the ingredients in the pot. Close the lid with vent in sealing position. 
• Change the instant pot setting to manual or pressure cook mode for 4 minutes at high pressure.
• When the instant pot beeps, do a 10 minute NPR. This means let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release the pressure manually.  
• Add the lemon juice and fluff the rice.
• Beet Pulao is ready. Enjoy with homemade yogurt or raita.

Stovetop Method

• Follow the same steps in a large pot on medium-high flame. Add the rinsed rice and water to the pot. For stovetop method, increase the amount of water to 2 cups for each cup of rice.
• Bring to a boil, then simmer, cover and cook on low heat until the rice is cooked and all the water is absorbed. (If using a stovetop pressure cooker, cook for 1 whistle)
• Fluff the rice with a fork. Add lemon juice and enjoy the pulao!

Notes

Whole Spices: Adding whole spices is optional.  You can enjoy this beet pulao even if you don’t have all the whole spices in your pantry.

Veggies: I added green peas along with the beets, as that is what I had at hand.  Other possible options to add are potatoes, bell peppers, carrots and edmame.