Whether they confess to it or not, most new brides find the prospects of cooking truly daunting. The burden of expectations couple with a bad case of nerves makes even the best of them shy away from the kitchen. Here are easy to make recipes to introduce the newlyweds to the joys of cooking and help them conquer hearts.    

 

Light Pulao

 

Ingredients

1 and ½ cup basmati rice                           

1 large onion, sliced

3 green chillies, halved lengthwise

For Tempering                                                                                    

3 tbsp ghee or oil                              

1 bay leaf

2 pieces of cinnamon

3 cloves

1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

1 small carrot, finely chopped

8 string beans, finely chopped

Salt to taste

For Garnish                                      

10 cashew nuts

1 tsp ghee

1 tbsp chopped coriander

1 lime            

                                         
Method

1. Wash the rice and set aside. Boil water in a large pan and add the rice. Test the rice from time to time; remove from the stove when it is nearly cooked. Pour into a colander and let it rest till all the water drains out.
2. In a heavy pan, heat the ghee or oil, add bay leaf, whole spices and sauté. Add sliced onion and green chillies and fry till onions are transparent. Add the ginger garlic paste, and sauté for a couple of minutes. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté for a few minutes on high heat till they are cooked. Switch off the heat and reserve.
3. Extract juice from the lime. Add the rice to the pan and pour the lime juice over it, sauté gently till the vegetables are evenly distributed. Reduce the heat and cover the pan for a few minutes. Fry the cashew nuts in ghee and sprinkle over the pulao and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.