What do you do when you’ve worked all day or in my case; chauffeured children, laundry, groceries, soccer practice, and you stumble home with not a clue as to what’s for dinner? Believe it or not, even on days that I’ve been to the grocery store, sometimes I have no clue what I am making for dinner that evening.
On days, when I am almost out of everything, it is even harder! What is your plan on days like these? Everyone has store cupboard staples, in my case, I always have rice, lentils, onions and garlic ginger paste! It’s an Indian store cupboard 
What are the must-haves in your pantry? And how about when supplies are running low? What do you all turn to (apart from takeaway)?
My meals in a hurry, or on days that I need some comfort food, I always find myself turning to something with rice. It’s my comfort food because growing up, I ate it almost everyday.
I wasn’t going to post this recipe because it happened to be one of those last minute, I am “out of everything” meals. It was thought of at the last minute after returning home exhausted and kids whining for dinner.
However, as I was devouring my plate, I realised how good it was and how easily it came together. I thought it might be worth sharing because it is essentially a one pot meal and one that’s open to much improvisation.
In Indian cookery, there are a lot of specific, traditional dishes, including many pullaos. However, pullaos are great for improvising. You can throw in just about anything, add rice, spices and meat or vegetable stock and you have a tasty pullao unique to you.
So, I thought I would share mine to inspire others to create their own. My pullaos are different every time! It really always depends on what I have in the fridge, freezer and pantry. Last week, it was zucchini squash, potatoes and a bit of left over chicken.
Prep time:
Cook time:
Serves: 6-8 servings
- 2½ cups rice, washed and soaked for 10 minutes
- ½ cup red lentils, washed and soaked with rice
- ½ large onion, chopped fine
- 2 large zucchini, small cubes
- 2 large potatoes, small cubes, parboiled or fried
- 1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded or chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- handful of mint or cilantro, or both
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons oil
- salt and pepper to taste (takes about 2 teaspoons salt to season 3 cups rice)
- In a big pot on medium high heat, brown the onions.
- Once the onions are caramelised, add the zucchini cubes and fry.
- Brown the zucchini cubes a little too.
- Add the garlic and ginger, cook a little.
- Add the cumin, coriander, red chilli powder and turmeric.
- Fry the spices a little.
- Add the washed and drained rice and lentils and coat with the oil and spices.
- Once the rice and lentils are coated nicely with the spices and oil, add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, turn the heat to medium and simmer until most of the broth has been absorbed.
- Do not boil till totally dry, there should be about ½ inch of liquid still in the pot above the rice.
- Add the fried or parboiled potatoes and the shredded chicken.
- Cover with a tight fitting lid and cook on low, for 10 minutes.
- Put on a timer.
- After 10 minutes on low heat, turn off the burner and remove pot from heat.
- Without opening, steam for another 10 minutes. Set a timer.
- After 10 minutes, remove lid and fluff rice and lentils with a fork and mix in the vegetables.
So, that is my Chicken and Vegetable Pullao with leftover bits and bobs. However, those bits and bobs made a terrific, comforting meal that hit the spot. You don’t need fancy ingredients for a pullao; use what you have.
That is my last minute creation made up of a bit of this and that, what do you all make in a hurry? Do you look for convenience or comfort? When I am tired beyond belief and don’t want to be in the kitchen cooking, I find that I want something comforting to eat and not just food because of the sake of food. A comforting meal helps me feel better. Is it the same for you guys? Lots of questions today! But I was thinking about that and wondering about all of you and how y’all handle a long and arduous day.
Hope you are all having a great week!
[…] dishes. Nazneen, for example, could take these ingredients and have no trouble creating a tasty pullao. BAM, on the other hand, could easily prepare a flavorful GF stir fry. Then, of course, […]
my pantry sounds very similar to yours and I am in need for recipes like this when I am out of everything! lovely recipe there
dixya| Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted..My Frinspiration : Horchata & Peanut Butter Avocado Cookies
Thanks Dixya! Hope you can use it one day!
Love that recipe, I also turned to do it on last minute after long thinking of what’s for dinner.
Love your pictures too.
Samah @ Good Cooks recently posted..Easy and Nutritious Homemade Yogurt
Thank you Samah for your lovely comment. Thank you for stopping by!
As a mom myself, I know exactly what you are talking about! Sometimes, meal plans don’t come to me until the very last minutes when I’m pulling stuff out of the fridge! I’ve always chalked that up to my “creative” side – not wanting to be tied down to a weekly/daily menu or regimen. Like you, when I run out of time and ideas, rice is a go-to dish! This pullao is definitely going into my repertoire! Have a good weekend, mama! Your family is lucky to have you
Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings recently posted..Clams in Chili-Cilantro Oil
Thanks Jen! It’s nice to have a few dishes that you can turn to in a rush. Pasta and rice are my two faves, then of course, eggs and breakfast foods.
This doesn’t look like it’s a last minute dish for dinner! Yum!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen recently posted..Healthy Cookies & Cream Frozen Dessert
Thanks Peachy! Nice to see you again..how have you been?
this looks amazing for a last minute dinner! yum!
Thank you for stopping by! I appreciate your comment.
Nazneen this looks lovely and so yummy! Your photography for every post is just awesome!! You really are very skilled!
Sarah @ SimplyScrumptiousBySarah recently posted..Crock-Pot Broccoli Beef
You are very sweet Sarah, I am still learning but I appreciate your encouraging words!
Oh Nazneen, I love recipes like this. They are so versatile even if they are at the whim of the leftovers in my fridge and pantry! I have wandered the aisles at the market too many times, without inspiration. And on those days, I’m just going to come home and whip up this marvelous rice dish. It’s amazing how something you pulled together so quickly looks like you’ve been fussing over it all day! Your photos are beautiful! : )
Anne@FromMySweetHeart recently posted..Bake Sale & Raffle
Hi Anne! How are you ? Thank you for your sweet words.
A tasty looking pulao! I really like that kind of dish and adore those spices.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa!
Love that top photo! And I love dishes like this, where you can change out ingredients so easily. I could almost make this recipe as written – I have everything on hand except for the zucchini and potatoes! Really good stuff – thanks so much.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..The Mint Julep
Thanks John! Yes! That’s the reason I posted this so you have a basic recipe that you can embellish.
You certainly threw together a great meal and I’m so glad you did decide to post it. Love your serving dish. I must try to find some of those for when I cook curry xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..The Big Banana
Thanks Charlie! Sometimes good things happen on a whim! Try an Indian store if you’re looking for the kadhi pot.
Hello Nazneen,
I know days like than only too well and I have to say that your recipe just made its was to the top of my list for days like that
I usually end up making a salad or an omlette on days like these but I think we would really enjoy a dish like yours better
Sawsan@chef in disguise recently posted..Chocolate avocado mousse (Afternoon tea cookbook review)
Thanks Sawsan, believe me, there are days I just make eggs too! I always keep tins of hummus too so some days I break open a tin with some zaatar and salad and call it a night!
This is really a nice all in one dish
Raymund recently posted..Cape Gooseberries and Strawberry Flaugnarde
Thank you Raymund! I love all in dishes when I am not in the mood to cook.
I hear you loud and clear and have followed the same road many a time either thru’ lack of the same or sheer tiredness! Great ‘sample’ recipe to have and to tweak: I do the same with both cooked brown rice always in my fridge or some form of noodles and always feel twice blessed; the dish invariably ends up more than palatable and it has ‘cost’ me practically nought as but few ‘new’ ingredients have been used!!
I agree Eha! Those makeover dishes are always better than the original! I love frying up rice and noodles too with some vegetables and eggs. Perfect leftover food! Thanks for stopping by Eha!
Left over dishes never looked so good before, Nazneen. I wish I was your neighbor to taste some.
Lail | With A Spin recently posted..Dudh Puli – Coconut Stuffed Dumpling in Spice Infused Milk
Thanks Lail! We’d have fun being neighbours!
Meals that we make in hurry are always the best. I make pulao a lot even when I am not in rush and my daughter always look forward that I add some meat in it. I love that you have added red lentils and zucchini along with meat, giving a twist to a traditional pulao recipe. Even I keep trying different options as rice is something we cook regularly. I once made vegetable pulao with chai flavor and it has now become a regular in my home.
Balvinder recently posted..Skinny Panini With Sorghum Chapatti
Thanks Bal, I love adding red lentils…it’s almost a more jazzy khichdi…which I love too.
This sounds like a delicious meal that you created, Nazneen, and on the spur of the moment, too. I think most of us have these “go to” dishes, though they’re sure to vary because of our different pantries. I’ll usually make a pasta or, as I’ll post later, a frittata. Both are very simple compared to your pullao. I’m surprised, though, that I have most of the ingredients required by your recipe. I never would have thought to combine them like this. Guess who’ll be making pullao in the not too distant future? Thanks, Nazneen, for pointing me in this direction.
ChgoJohn recently posted..Grandpa’s Tuna Salad gets a Makeover
Thanks John. You mention having all the things to make a pullao with but don’t usually think of it at the spur of the moment..I think that has a lot to do with how and what we grew up eating. I fall back on Indian food because its what I know from home. On a tired day, I just want comfort and that’s why I believe I make rice dishes. Of course, you will fall back on what you grew up eating….which I am sure is quite tasty too!
Delicious!!!!!!!!! I noticed you did not use any garam masala – even whole. I like to use them whole in my pulaos and biriyanis. If I did, in this, would it change the taste?
Minnie@thelady8home recently posted..SNC April challenge– Karupatti Appam
That’s funny you noticed! I didn’t use it on purpose. Usually I do but I feel that adds a “heavy” element… basically garam flavours and I wanted a lighter taste. You can most definitely add it if you wish. I left it out on purpose
This looks great and a fabulous spur of the moment dish. It’s often those dishes that are the most flavoursome. I have what I call a fridge meal, just using whatever’s in the fridge. A little difficult today as I’ve just had a clearout so it’s sliced chicken and condiments only at the moment! Have a good week. GG xx
glamorous glutton recently posted..Wild Garlic Pesto And Wild Garlic Focaccia
Thanks GG! It’s funny also that you can make it so well on the spur of the moment but when you go to recreate it, it’s a major flop!
It was made with leftovers and looks terrific! I’d be happy to have it for dinner. I also have some ingredients that are always in my pantry and use them to make a dish when I’m out of others that I need. Life is busy and often we have to do what we have to do especially as Moms. I hope your week gets better and you can breath a bit.
Miss you! I wish you were here so we could go shopping together at CM. Take care!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Passaporte Brasil at Central Market– Celebrating Brazil, Its Culture, and Food
Thanks Denise! I would love to go shopping at CM with you! It would be so much fun xx