Skip to main content

vegetable rice recipe

 

Spiced Vegetable Pilaf (Easy One-Pot Rice Recipe)

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 35 mins
Servings: 4 | Tags: #vegetablerice #onepotmeal #pilafrecipe #indianrice #mealprep


Why You’ll Love This Spiced Vegetable Pilaf

  • One-pot recipe – minimal cleanup, great for busy days
  • Naturally vegetarian and easy to make vegan
  • Full of warm spices and vibrant veggies
  • Great for meal prep, lunchboxes, or festive meals

  • Ingredients

  • 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed and soaked for 15 mins
  • 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 3–4 whole cloves
  • 3–4 green cardamom pods
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 green chili, slit (optional)
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, green beans, peas, bell pepper)
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 cups water or vegetable broth
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Optional: toasted cashews or raisins

Instructions

1. Sauté Spices & Aromatics

Heat oil or ghee in a large pan. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

2. Cook the Onion, Garlic & Ginger

Add sliced onion, ginger, garlic, and green chili. Cook for 3–4 minutes until golden.

3. Add Veggies & Spices

Stir in the chopped vegetables, turmeric, and garam masala. Cook for 2–3 minutes.

4. Add Rice & Liquid

Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pan. Stir gently. Pour in 2 cups of water or broth and add salt.

5. Simmer & Fluff

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15–18 minutes. Let it rest for 5 mins, then fluff with a fork.


Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with raita, cucumber salad, or yogurt dip
  • Pairs well with grilled paneer, dal, or chicken curry (if not vegetarian)
  • Add nuts or raisins for a festive touch

Tips for Perfect Pilaf

  • Use long-grain basmati rice for fluffier texture
  • Soaking the rice shortens cook time and prevents stickiness
  • Avoid over-stirring once the rice is added to keep grains intact
  • Add a splash of lemon juice at the end for brightness

Make It Your Way

  • Vegan? Use oil instead of ghee
  • Low-carb? Swap rice with cauliflower rice (cook uncovered for shorter time)
  • Spicy? Add red chili powder or more green chili

Storage & Reheating

  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days
  • Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 1 month
  • Reheat: Microwave with a splash of water or steam on the stovetop

FAQ

Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, just thaw slightly and sauté directly.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, it’s naturally gluten-free.

Can I cook this in a rice cooker or Instant Pot?
Absolutely. Use the sauté function for aromatics, then pressure cook for 5 minutes with natural release.

Similar Recipes for Vegetable Rice :

1. Vegetable Fried Rice

A quick and healthy Indo-Chinese style fried rice with colorful vegetables, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

2. Vegetable Pulao (Indian Veg Rice)

Fragrant basmati rice cooked with mixed vegetables and aromatic spices — a one-pot Indian comfort dish.

3. Garlic Butter Rice with Vegetables

Fluffy rice tossed with sautéed vegetables in a rich garlic butter sauce.

4. Mexican Vegetable Rice

Spiced tomato-based rice with corn, beans, peppers, and herbs — a perfect side for tacos and burritos.

5. Coconut Vegetable Rice

Creamy coconut rice cooked with seasonal vegetables and mild spices — light, fragrant, and vegan-friendly.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

spicy salmon sushi bites.

                    🍣 Crispy Rice Sushi Bites Recipe – Viral Sushi Appetizer You’ll Crave! 📌 Why You’ll Love These Crispy Sushi Bites These crispy rice sushi bites are the perfect blend of textures: golden fried sushi rice topped with creamy, spicy tuna or fresh avocado. Whether you’re hosting a party or craving sushi night at home, this viral appetizer is fun, fancy, and surprisingly easy! 📝 Ingredients (Makes 12–15 bites) For the crispy rice: 2 cups cooked sushi rice (short-grain, cooled) 1 tbsp rice vinegar 1 tsp sugar Pinch of salt Neutral oil (for frying) For the spicy tuna topping: 150g sashimi-grade tuna, finely chopped 2 tbsp mayo 1 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste) 1 tsp soy sauce ½ tsp sesame oil Optional toppings: Thin avocado slices Jalapeño rounds Black sesame seeds Chopped green onions Soy sauce for dipping 🍳 Instructions Step 1: Prepare the Sushi Rice Mix the cooled rice with rice vinega...

albondigas recipe

  🧆 Spanish Meatballs Recipe (Albóndigas) | Savory Tapas Classic Craving juicy, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce? These Spanish Albóndigas are a classic tapas dish, packed with bold spices, fresh herbs, and rustic charm. Served with crusty bread or rice, they make the perfect party bite, appetizer, or cozy family dinner. 📝 Ingredients For the Meatballs: 500g ground beef (or half beef, half pork) 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1 egg 2 tbsp chopped parsley 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp cumin Salt and pepper to taste Olive oil for frying For the Tomato Sauce: 2 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp sugar (to balance acidity) Salt and pepper to taste Optional: 1/4 cup dry white wine or water 🍳 Instructions Step 1: Make the Meatballs In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, ...

raspberry almond cake recipe

  🍰 Raspberry Almond Tea Cake – Elegant, Moist & Perfect for Any Occasion Looking for a cake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious? This Raspberry Almond Tea Cake is a soft, buttery delight with a subtle almond flavor, studded with juicy raspberries and topped with sliced almonds. It’s the perfect treat for afternoon tea, brunch gatherings, or a light dessert. Whether you're celebrating a special moment or just enjoying a quiet cup of tea, this simple yet elegant cake brings bakery-quality flavor to your home kitchen. ✅ Why You’ll Love This Raspberry Almond Cake 🍓 Naturally sweet and fruity 🌰 Warm almond aroma and flavor 🧁 Light, fluffy, and moist texture ☕ Pairs beautifully with tea or coffee 🕒 Bakes in under 40 minutes with simple  🍓 Ingredients You’ll Need 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1/2 tsp almond extract 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour 1/2 cup (50g) almond fl...