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Millet Spinach Pulao

Millet Spinach Pulao in Instant Pot & Stovetop

Quick and simple Millet Spinach and Peas Pulao with mild spices. Goes well with a side of yogurt and papad or any mild gravy. A flavourful and aromatic pulao recipe that is healthy and perfect for the lunchbox too!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2 people

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or Stovetop Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup Millet I have used foxtail millet
  • 1 Onion
  • 1/4 cup Green Peas I have used frozen peas. You can use fresh peas too.
  • Salt as needed
  • 1 tsp Red chilli powder
  • 3/4 cup water

To grind and make paste

  • 2 cups Spinach
  • 2 Green chillies
  • 1 inch Ginger
  • 1 clove Garlic

To temper

  • 1 tsp Ghee/Oil
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 inch Cinnamon
  • 1 Cardamom
  • 1 Clove

Instructions
 

  • Wash and roughly chop the spinach. We need around 2 cups of chopped spinach for this pulao.
  • Make a paste out of this spinach, green chillies, ginger and garlic by adding little water. Do not add more water. We need a thick paste.
  • Wash and soak the millet for 30 mins in enough water. After 30 mins, drain the water and keep the millets aside.
  • Set the Instant Pot on saute mode. Once it becomes hot, add the ghee. Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, clove. Saute for 30 seconds till a nice aroma comes.
  • Next, add the finely chopped onions and saute till it turns light brown.
  • Next, add the peas and saute for a minute.
  • Now add the spinach puree, red chilli powder and salt. Mix well.
  • Add millet and water. Check for salt.
  • Mix gently. Press the cancel button, close the Instant Pot lid and make sure the vent is in the sealing position.
  • Press the "Pressure Cook" button and set the timer for 5 minutes. Manually, Release pressure 10 mins after the cooking is done. Open the pulao and let it cool for 5-10 mins.
  • Then fluff it up with a fork or spatula. Serve it hot with a mild gravy, papad or raita.

To cook the pulao in a stovetop Pressure cooker

  • In a pressure cooker, add ghee. Once hot, add cinnamon, clove, cardamom, bay leaf. Saute for 30 seconds.
  • Next, add the finely chopped onions and saute till it turns light brown.
  • Next, add the peas and saute for a minute. Now add the spinach puree, red chili powder and salt. Mix well.
  • Add millet and water. Check for salt.
  • Mix gently. Pressure cook on medium flame for 3 whistles.
  • Open the pulao and let it cool for 5-10 mins. Then fluff it up with a fork or spatula. Serve it hot with a mild gravy, papad or raita.

Notes

You can use Rice instead of millets. For 1 cup of rice, use 2 cups of water. Wash and soak the rice for 15 mins before cooking. Follow the rest of the instructions as usual. 
You can add more vegetables along with peas. 
Adjust salt, spice according to your taste. 
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