Aloo Matar Tehri / Matar Vadi Wale Chawal

Spicy rice pilaf made with potato,peas and lentil nuggets-from North India

Tahiri is a very popular Pulao/Pilaf in Pakistan and India especially in the states of  Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. In Punjab this is often refered as matar and vadi wale chawal.

Home made moong dal nuggets(vadi)are used to make this pulao,but now these vadi's are easily available in the market.I have posted the recipe to make moong daal vadi's here .I have used my mom made vadi's to make this tahiri,she makes very tiny sized vadis', if moong daal vadis'(nuggets) are not available then you can use punjabi urad daal vadi's (Amritsari vadi's) crush them into small pieces,as they are very big in size.

Traditionaly potato,fresh peas ,moong daal vadi's and some basic spice are used to make this ,but you can also add some cauliflower and carrots to make it more colourful and healthy.this is usally served with plain yoghurt or spinach raita or lauki raita.

 INGREDIENTS-

• Basmati rice-1 cup
• Potato-150 gm(2 small)
• Tomato-1 medium size
• Fresh peas-1 cup
• Lentil nuggets(vadi)-1/2 cup
• Chopped ginger-1.5 tsp
• Fresh coriander-1/4 cup
• Water-2 and 1/4 cup
• Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
• Chili powder-1 tsp
• Salt-1 tsp
• Garam masala-1/3 tsp

Tempering-

• Ghee or oil-4 tbsp
• Cumin seeds-1 tsp
• Green cardamom-2
• Cloves-2 

PROCEDURE-

1. Wash and soak rice in enough water for 20 minutes.
2. Peel and chop potatoes in medium size pieces,and tomato in small pieces.
3. Heat ghee or oil in a pressure cooker/pressure pan.
4. Add cumin seeds,cardamom ,cloves and the vadi's.
5. Stir fry on low flame till golden in colour.
6. Drain the water from the soaked rice and add rice in the cooker ,saute gently for few seconds.
7. Now add potato,tomato,ginger, peas and all the spices.
8. Stir for a minute and add water and mix gently.
9. Pressure cook  on medium heat for 1 whistle (or till done)
10. Open the cooker only when cooled down completely.
11. Add chopped fresh coriander and gently fluff with a fork.
12. Serve hot.

Serving suggestions-best served with yoghurt,raita or gujrati kadi
sending to-sweet and savoury event