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Monday, February 16, 2015

Broccoli-Tomato Rice | One Pot meal | Lunch Box Ideas

Lunch box for kids is always a big question with every mom and each of us wish our kids to enjoy the meal.And at the same time,each meal should be balanced with adequate protein,carbohydrate,vitamins and minerals.My headache starts the previous evening itself to decide what to pack the next morning.Lunch box for adult or kids always seeks some interesting yet delicious and filling meal.My elder son loves to eat steamed broccoli and that's how I ended up trying this recipe.Initially when I tried it with only broccoli,my family didn't accept that much as it gave a fried rice like texture and so the demand was to have a gravy/masala along with that version.But when I tried this style,all were happy to have a mildly spiced broccoli pulao and they enjoyed it very much without any sides.I was very happy too with the outcome.Give this a try if you like broccoli florets and enjoy !!




Ingredients
basmati rice 1 cup
broccoli florets 2 cups
water 2 cups
salt to taste

for masala
tomato 2 large
onion 1 medium sized
ginger chopped 1tsp
garlic chopped 1 tsp
garam masala 1/2 tsp
chilly powder 1 tsp
turmeric powder a pinch
cashews broken 1tbsp
chana dal 1tsp
cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
asafoetida a good pinch
dry red chilli 2 broken
salt to taste
oil 3tbsp


Method
  • Blanch the florets in hot water,add salt.Let it stand for 15 minutes-20 minutes.Drain the water,wash under running water and leave aside.
  • Wash and soak the rice for 20 minutes.Use the same water used(to soak) for cooking rice.Add this water(2 cups) in a cooker and bring to a boil with salt.Add the rice and stir well.Let it cook on medium flame till half done,add the broccoli florets to this and cook until all water is absorbed and rice is cooked(takes 10 minutes).
  • In the mean time,heat another pan.Add oil and add cumin seeds.Then add dry red chillies and then chana dal.Add in broken cashews,asafoetida.Slide in the chopped ginger and garlic,saute until raw smell disappears.
  • Add the sliced onions and then fry till translucent.Add in the spice powders-chilly powder,turmeric powder,garam masala.Saute until a nice aroma releases on low flame.Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until mushy.Add salt.
  • Add the cooked rice with broccoli as a top layer.Cover and simmer for 5 mins.
  • Mix well and serve warm with raitha or pappadam !!


NOTES
* If you have idli milagu podi,sprinkle on top.Tastes good or enjoy just like that.

More broccoli recipes from this space-
* Broccoli thoran(stir fry with coconut)
* Broccoli mezhukuparetti(stir fry)
* Baked Broccoli Cutlets

For all lunch box/one pot meal rice recipes,click this link.





14 comments:

Amila said... Best Blogger Tips

delicious rice dish,great way to get all the benefits of broccoli...

Recipe world said... Best Blogger Tips

Healthy n nutritious lunch idea!

Rafeeda AR said... Best Blogger Tips

I totally agree to you... the difficulty of thinking what to cook for the kids is far more scaring than anything else! This meal looks so satisfying...

great-secret-of-life said... Best Blogger Tips

rice looks yum! perfect one pot meal

Gloria Fernandes said... Best Blogger Tips

Broccoli rice looks super tempting dear.. Inviting clicks too..

Fullscoops said... Best Blogger Tips

Looks very delicious!

Vineetha Sush said... Best Blogger Tips

I used to pack lunch for my son until ometime back and every morning I used to have the same dilemna but now he takes School food ..but this will be handy for my lunch box..looks yumm!

Ola said... Best Blogger Tips

I am craving for such a simple food, unfortunatelly my husband is a meat eater so we hardly have such dishes home

Motions and Emotions said... Best Blogger Tips

one pot meals are always welcome...looks yummy

Sooriya said... Best Blogger Tips

Such a healthy and delicious one pot meal!!!

Sona said... Best Blogger Tips

Such a healthy one pot meal.. Looks delicious..

meena said... Best Blogger Tips

Just made something similar yday too.Instead of kayam and parippu I added coriander powder.My daughter takes only sandwich for lunch sadly.She too loves steamed broccoli but.

Thermofan. Marisa G. said... Best Blogger Tips

Yummy option. Love brocoli and is perfect to have our bones healthy. Cheers

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Very delicious one..... healthy giants in one pot meal....mouthwatering..... :)