Hara Cholia Pulao

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh green chickpeas (harbhara/hara cholia) 
• 1½ cups Basmati rice, washed, soaked for 20 minutes and drained 
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 1½ teaspoons cumin seeds 
• 4 green cardamoms
• 1 inch cinnamon 
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 black cardamom
• 3-4 cloves
• 4-5 black peppercorns
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 1½ teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander sprig for garnish
• Raita as required

Method

1. Heat ghee in a deep non-stick pan, add cumin seeds, green cardamoms, cinnamon, bay leaf, black cardamom, cloves and black peppercorns, mix and sauté till fragrant.
2. Add onions, mix and saute till translucent.  Add ginger-garlic paste, mix and saute for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add fresh green chickpeas, mix and sauté for 1 minute. Add salt, mix and saute for 1 minute. 
4. Add 1 cup water, mix, cover and cook for 6-8 minutes.
5. Add rice, salt and 3 cups water, mix and cook till the mixture comes to a boil. Cover and cook till done.  
6. Switch the heat off and allow the pulao to rest for 10 minutes. Transfer onto a serving plate, garnish with coriander sprig and serve hot with raita of your choice.