A Single Pot Meal for Newly Singles

This is one rice-based Indian pot recipe that is hot, healthy and wholesome. It can be prepared with simple ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator. Takes fifteen minutes to prepare and is a real comfort meal.

When you left your parents’ home, they probably gave you some training in this recipe. This blog piece shows how you can customize the basic recipe.

What you will need

Rice- preferably basmati rice- one tea cup. Washed and drained.

Chopped onion, tomato, few cloves of garlic and about one inch of ginger

Spices- whatever is available- powdered garam masala, powdered curry masala, and/or whole spices- use according to your preference

Nuts/ dried fruits- cashews and raisins — optional

Herbs for garnish — optional

Salt, turmeric and red chilly powder to taste

Oil or butter- four tablespoonfuls

To customize, use-

Chopped vegetables- one tea cup- you can use frozen vegetables as well.

Or

Indian farmers’ cheese or paneer- about 75- 100 grams. You can substitute with tofu.

Or

Sausages of your choice. You can use leftover chicken from this recipe as well.

The images show the paneer variant.

Use a pressure cooker or a rice cooking vessel with a tight lid. You can also use an electric rice cooker.

Preparation

Heat the oil/butter and add all whole spices, if using them along with the onion, garlic and ginger.

Saute a little. Add the nuts/ dried fruits at this stage too. Once browned, add the tomatoes and green chillies.

As the tomatoes soften, add the paneer/ vegetables/ sausages. Let them saute till they are partly cooked. Time will vary slightly according to the ingredients you have used.

Add the salt and other powdered spices as per your preference. If using tofu or sausages, remember that they are already salty. Adjust the salt accordingly.

After mixing the powdered spices, add the rice. It should be washed and drained.

Mix the rice gently. Add water.

Pro Tip: The amount of water varies according to the variety or quality of the rice used. If you soak your rice before draining, you’ll need lesser water. If you are using a pressure cooker or a pan with a tight cover, you will need lesser water. It is always a good idea to use enough water to cover the rice about a quarter to half an inch above the level of the rice in your cooking pot. If the rice feels dry during or after cooking, you can sprinkle about a quarter cup of hot water later to adjust.

Cover and cook till the pressure cooker whistles. Turn off the heat after one whistle and leave it for a couple of minutes. You can’t open a pressure cooker immediately anyway.

If you are cooking it in a pot with a cover, you can keep checking the rice and adjust the water. But leave it covered for sometime after it is cooked. Rice pot dishes cook better when the heat in the pot is distributed well.

Garish and serve hot.