Gatte Ka Pulao(Gram Flour Dumplings with Rice)

Sometimes it pays to invent things…and then they click!Well this dish was in my mind since I made Gatte ki Kadhi last Sunday and I was actually thinking that if the “Gattas” are blended with rice to make a pulao..how is that going to be.The answer came today as I mixed the things up and adventurously added a masala and made things even more delicious. Gattas are savory dumplings made with gram flour/garbanzo bean flour/besan. Check the recipe out!

Ingredients

For the Gattas:

1 cup besan/gram flour
2 tbsp curd
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander(dhania) powder
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ajwain(oregano)
2 tbsp oil
Water as required

For the pulao:

1 cup Basmati rice
3 tbsp ghee
1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
1-2 green chilies – minced
1 tsp ginger – grated
1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
4 cloves
2 Badi Elaichi
1 stick cinnamon – dalchini
Salt to taste
1 tbsp cashews – chopped plus 2-3 for decoration
1 tbsp raisins – stems removed
2 tsp Shahi Paneer Masala/Meat Masala/Tandoori Masala (optional)

Method.

Soak the rice for around an hour and steam/boit it till done.Take out on a plate and leave to cool.For the gattas:
Mix all the ingredients for the Gattas except water and knead to a firm dough.Shape into long rolls with your fingers with the help of water and set aside.

Add the gattas and continue to boil on full heat for 5-7 minutes.After around 7 minutes the Gattas would be firm to touch.Drain them and leave them to cool.After cooling chop them into small pieces.Chop each cylindrical roll into bite size pieces.

The gattas chopped into pieces..

For the pulao:

Heat ghee in a pan.Add cumin(jeera) and saute till they turn brown.Now add the cinnamon,Badi Elaichi,ginger and green chili.Add the cashews and raisins and stir fry very well.Fry until the raisins plump up with the heat.Add the Gattas and turmeric and coriander powders.Stir fry till the Gattas become a little reddish.Now add the rice.

Mix very gently ensuring the grains do not break.Add the Shahi Paneer/other masalas and coriander leaves and mix well.Serve with any pickle or a cup of yogurt.