Vegetable Platter: Leftover Makeover

Quick One Pot Chana Pulao From Leftover Chole

I always somehow seek comfort in One Pot Meals, especially One Pot Rice dishes that get done in a Pressure Cooker & under 30 minutes.

Sometimes, I also convert leftover gravies into Pulao, like this Biryani that I made with leftover Vegetable Kurma & I immensely enjoy putting it together because it tastes amazing & a fewer vegetables to cut & fewer dishes to clean

I make One Pot Meals several times a week, & I do have a few favorites that I keep going back to.

I made this Chole Pulao made with leftover Chole/Chana Masala. This is perfect when there is leftover Chana Masala but I am not really in a mood to roll some Chapatis.

Just a bit of sliced Onions, some Tomatoes, A bit of spices, Some Rice & leftover Chole & this gets done in 20 minutes. This makes for a perfect weeknight dinner with a Raita & Salad on the side

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 cup Basmati Rice
1.5 cups Leftover Chole
1 large Onion - sliced lengthwise
2 tablespoon Tomato Paste or 1 large Tomato - chopped
2 Bay leaves
1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
1/2 teaspoon Red Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Chole Masala
1 teaspoon Kasuri Methi
1/2 teaspoon Kitchen King Masala
Salt as per taste
2 tablespoon Cooking Oil

Method:

Wash Basmati in several changes of water until the water runs clear. Drain & Set aside for later use

In a Pressure Cooker, Heat oil. Add Bay Leaves & Splutter Cumin seeds

Add sliced onions & sauté with pinch of salt for 3-4 minutes

Add leftover Chole/Chana Masala, Tomato Paste/Chopped tomatoes, Red Chilli Powder, Chole Masala, Kasuri Methi & Kitchen King Masala & sauté until the spiced are well cooked for about 5 minutes

Add Basmati Rice & add 1.25 cups of water & Add salt

Mix well, Deglaze the Pot & close the lid & cook for 1 whistle

Let the pressure settle down & after it cools down a bit, fluff gently with a fork

Garnish with some chopped Mint & fresh coriander if you wish to

Serve with Raita & some sliced cucumbers on the side

NOTE:

You can also add additional vegetables if needed. I usually do not add anything extra. But I I feel that it can do with some more chickpeas, I soak a little bit of chickpeas for a 2-3 hours & then add them before pressure cooking

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, by Deepthi Shankar

After School Snacks

Baked Aloo Tikki Using Leftover Potato Stuffing

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, by Deepthi Shankar

After School Snacks

Chapati Upma -- An Easy Way to Use Up Leftover Chapatis

Chapati Upma is nothing but leftover Chapatis, cut into squares & stir fried along with Onions & a few basic spices

This is one of my favorite ways to consume leftover Chapatis, when I don't have any side dish to eat it with. This is such a simple dish but something is oddly comforting about it

I also sometimes make a couple of extra chapatis & leave it in the casserole & the next morning, I have this as a late breakfast

It is also a great after school snack option

You need very basic ingredients to make this. A little bit of Onion, A couple of green chilies, Curry Leaves & basic Tadka Ingredients.

Serves 1

You Will Need:

2-3 leftover Chapatis
Half Onion - finely chopped
2 Green Chilies - finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
1/2 teaspoon Urad Dal
1/2 teaspoon Chana Dal
1/4 teaspoon Turmeric powder
3-4 Curry Leaves
Salt as per taste
1 tablespoon Cooking Oil

How To:

Cut the leftover chapatis into squares with the help of kitchen scissors

In a heavy bottomed pan, heat oil, splutter mustard seeds. Add Green Chilies, Urad Dal, Chana Dal & fry for 20 seconds until the dals turn golden.

Add Onions, Curry Leaves & Turmeric powder & mix well. Add salt (You will need very little salt as the chapatis are already salted) & cook until the onions are well cooked

Add the Chapati squares & mix well. Serve with a cup of Hot Chai !!

There are several versions of making this. I have kept it pretty basic with just Onions & other basic spices. You can jazz it up with other vegetables. Or cut them into thin strips like noodles too

You don't have to worry if the chapatis have turned slightly hard, the Onions will moisten them. You can also use Frozen Chapatis, Just thaw them before using.

NOTES ON HOW NOT TO MAKE THIS SOGGY

A couple of friends messaged me that their Chapati Upma always turns of soggy .. So here are a few notes on how not to make this soggy

The amount of Chapati squares should always be more than the amount of veggies. Supposing you have 2 cups of chapati squares, the amount of mixed veggies should be about 3/4th cup only

That is why I have used only half of a small onion here

Do Not sauté too much once you add in the chapati squares, Just mix them well for about 30-40 seconds or so & turn off the heat

Once you are done making this, transfer into a bowl, if you want to use it up later. Let it stay in the pan, will make it slightly soggy as the heat from the pan will turn it into a mush