Instant Pot Matar Pulao

Name: Instant Pot Matar Pulao
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 145 min
Ingredients: 1/2 Cup soaked peas; 2 Cups basmati rice; Salt; 1 tbsp Oil; 2 small Cinnamon sticks (or use 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder); 1 Bay leaf; 3 Green cardamom; 1/2 Cup grated coconut (OR 1/2 cup coconut milk); 1/2 Cup chopped cilantro; 3 green chilies; 1 garlic cloves (optional); 1/2 tsp grated ginger; 1/4 tsp Ground black pepper; 2 tbsp Mint leaves ((optional)); 1 tbsp cashews ((optional))

5 from 4 votes

Last Updated: May 19, 2021 · by Uma Raghupathi · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

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You are in for a treat today with Cilantro Peas Rice a.k.a "Matar Pulao" prepared with the Instant Pot. Cilantro Peas rice is a very simple and flavorful dish. A few flavorful spices in cilantro, coconut, and green chili base make a powerful combination that is bursting with flavor. The procedure is so simple that it took less than 30 minutes to prepare.

Instant Pot Matar Pulao is made with the simple ingredient

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Instant Pot Cilantro Peas Rice
Second method
No onion and garlic rice
📖 Recipe
Comments

This dish is quite common in Indian cuisine, but a vegan version is a very rare find. Most recipes call for spices to be sauteed in "ghee" or clarified butter. But the real flavor for peas rice come from the spices that you add to the rice.

Try this recipe and you will know what I mean. But before you start, please note that the recipe calls for a little bit of prep work.

Instant Pot Cilantro Peas Rice

You would have to soak the rice for at least 10 minutes and the peas for at least two hours. Although it seems excessive, it is necessary to soften the rice and peas ahead of time. You could instead go with frozen peas, but they tend to get overcooked sometimes. Once you are through with the prep work, the rest of the procedure is a breeze with the Instant Pot.

Watch my video clip for easy reference. This can be prepared in a regular pressure cooker as well, by leaving it to cook to 1 whistle and let it cool gradually.

As for vegetables, I chose to go simple with just peas, but you can also add finely chopped carrots. A little bit of fried onion will also add to the taste. Try your version of Cilantro Peas Rice and let me know how you like it.

Second method

I shared this recipe a year ago and at that time, I blended the grated coconut with cilantro and other spices. Today's version is an easier and more flavorful one. I used coconut milk instead of grated coconut. I also used fresh mint leaves for more authentic flavor. Last but not least, I skipped adding garlic to make it better suited for lunch boxes. So, here's to a better version of a good recipe. My whole family enjoyed it with a side of vegan raita.

No onion and garlic rice

For this Matar pulao, I did not use any garlic and onion. But you can add if you prefer to. Garlic and Onion flavors usually dominate other spices and skipping these ingredients helped bring out the aroma from other spices. It makes the dish better suited for lunch boxes, and for the picnic table.

You can store this peas rice in an airtight container up to 5 days.

Check out my other Instant Pot recipes

Instant Pot vegetable rice, Mushroom rice, Pineapple rice, Spicy Chana Quinoa, Instant Pot Sambar

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