One pot pulao recipe made with cowpea and rice. The addition of coconut milk makes the pulao very rich. Perfect for packing for lunch box.
Any variety of fragrant rice works well in this recipe. I have used Gandhasaale Fragrant Rice. Seeraga samba rice and Basmati rice can also be used for this recipe. Gandhasaale / Gandhakasala Fragrant Rice is a variety of raw rice that grows in the Western Ghats in Kerala. The grains are small, plump, and have a great aroma. It works beautifully in South Indian style biryanis and pulao. The whole house fills up with a heady fragrance when you cook with this rice. The other prized rice from the western ghats is the Jeerakasala rice that most of us are familiar with. Both Jeerakasala and gandhakasala rice come under the GI Tag.
The rice-to-water ratio when cooking pulao in a pressure cooker is 1 rice: 1.5 liquid. In this recipe, for 2 cups of rice, the ideal liquid to be used would be 3 cups.
But since we are cooking cowpea along, I have used 3.5 cups liquid ( 2.5 cups water + 1 cup coconut milk). A little liquid extra to cook the cowpea.
Here are the things you can buy online for making this recipe
Bergner Tri-ply pressure Cooker Pan https://amzn.to/3S5ksxP
Heavy Duty Indian Mixie https://amzn.to/3GptNKD
Here is the video of how to make Thattapayaru Thengai Paal Saadham | Cowpea Coconut Milk Pulao
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Thattapayaru Thengai Paal Saadham | Cowpea Coconut Milk Pulao
One pot pulao recipe made with cowpea and rice. The addition of coconut milk makes the pulao very rich. Perfect for packing for lunch box.
- Total Time: 60m
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
2 cups rice
1/2 cup cowpea (thattapayaru)
2 tablespoon coconut oil
1-inch piece of cinnamon
1-star anise
2 cloves
2 cardamom
1 sprig of curry leaves
3/4 cup onions, sliced
1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
2.5 cups water
1.5 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup mint leaves
1/4 cup coriander leaves
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 of a lime, juiced
For the masala paste
1 pod garlic
1 inch piece ginger
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
3 green chillies
1/4 cup water to grind
2 tomatoes, chopped
Instructions
Prep Work
Wash and soak the cowpea in water overnight.
Wash and soak the rice just before starting to cook.
Grind everything listed under masala paste to a fine paste.
Method
Take a pressure pan and heat little oil. Add the whole spices and the curry leaves. Add the sliced onions and saute till the onions are nice and brown.
Add the red chilli powder, turmeric powder and garam masala powder. Saute for a few seconds. Add the ground masala paste and tomatoes. Cook till the tomatoes are soft and mushy.
Add the soaked and drained cowpea to the pan. Add the water and the salt and cook for about 15 minutes till the cowpea is almost 75% done.
Add the mint leaves and the coriander leaves. Add the coconut milk. Add the soaked and drained rice and the lime juice. Mix well.
Cover the pan and cook for two whistles – It should take about 4-5 minutes.
Remove from heat and wait for the pressure to settle.
Open the cooker and gently mix. Serve hot.
Notes
Any variety of fragrant rice works well in this recipe. I have used Gandhasaale Fragrant Rice. Seeraga samba rice and Basmati rice can also be used for this recipe.
The rice-to-water ratio when cooking pulao in a pressure cooker is 1 rice: 1.5 liquid. In this recipe, for 2 cups of rice, the ideal liquid to be used would be 3 cups. But since we are cooking cowpea along, I have used 3.5 cups liquid ( 2.5 cups water + 1 cup coconut milk). A little liquid extra to cook the cowpea.
- Prep Time: 30m
- Cook Time: 30m