Healing Chicken Pulao by Zeni

I had a family member that was really sick recently and I wanted to nourish them with food. Well, this is the kind of food my mother used to make for us when we were sick. This Pulao is really affordable, and very tasty. Usually, traditional Pulaos are quite heavy and rich, but this is a Pulao for when you’re not feeling well. It’s not very showy, or ostentatious, but it tastes really yummy! It’s lovely to just eat it with your hands. ~ Zeni

• 1 cup of basmati rice (soaked overnight in water)

• 5 potatoes, peeled, cubed and par-boiled with a pinch of salt

• 2 tbsp of any daal (lentils) soaked overnight in water

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 6 cardamom pods

• ½ 1 tsp of salt (or as desired)

• ½ raw skinless chicken, cut in small chunks

• 7 whole black peppercorns

• I tbsp of cumin seeds

• 2-3 bay leaves

• ½ of a green chili

• 1 tbsp of crushed garlic

• 1 tbsp of crushed ginger

• 3 cubed tomatoes

• 1 whole cubed garlic

• ½ bunch of cilantro, finely chopped

• Juice of lime or lemon

Notes: Wash the protein and marinate in half a cup of yogurt with the following ingredients

• 7 whole cloves

• 3 tbsp of grape seed oil/ghee

• Fry all the dry ingredients in the oil on low heat for 5 mins

• Add in the marinated chicken and cook until brown

• Strain the soaked daal (lentils) and add it to the chicken

• Strain the soaked rice and add it to the chicken

• Add 1 cup of water and cook covered for 15-25 mins

• Now add the par boiled potatoes, cover and continue cooking on medium heat

• After 15-25 mins check if the rice is cooked (If using Instapot check after 12-15 mins)

• If rice, chicken and daal have cooked to perfection then turn off the heat

• Let the rice sit on the stove for 10 mins

• Gently fluff it out and garnish with chopped cilantro, fresh ginger, fresh lime slices and a dollop of butter

• Serve hot with a side of Katchumbar salad or yogurt

• Serve hot with a side of Katchumbar salad or yogurt