Chirar Pulao | Bengali Flattened Rice Pulao

For the final day of Blogging Marathon, week#3, with the theme- Cooking from WestBegal, I have made this simple pulao.

Chirar is flattened rice / pressed rice / poha/ aval. As we are aware, it is a very good source of Iron and is quite easy to digest too. The addition of vegetables and mild spices, makes it a very tasty and filling dish.

I used :

Pressed rice ,thick variety- 1 cup
Mixed boiled vegetables – 1/2 cup [ I used peas, beans, potato ]
Carrot- 1 small, grated
Onion- 1, sliced
Peanuts, roasted-2 tablesdpoons
Whole spices – cinnsmom- 1″ piece, cardamom- 1 pod,Bay leaf -1
Green chillies-2, slit
Turmeric powder- a large pinch
Cumin seeds- 1 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Oil- 1 tablespoon

Wash and drain the pressed rice. In a vessel put in the pressed rice and sprinkle a little water and keep it covered till soft. Check often and sprinkle more water if needed.
Heat oil in a pan and put in cumin seeds.
When it splutters, add the whole spices and saute till they release a nice aroma.
Next put in the onion and saute till golden brown.
Then in goes the grated carrot and cook till it looses its raw flavor.
Add the turmeric powder, salt, pressed rice,roasted peanuts and mix well.
Lower the flame and cook for a few minutes for the flavors to blend.
Remove from heat and serve garnished with coriander leaves.

It can be served as a breakfast dish with plain yogurt or as a tea time snack

Note :

There are two varieties of Pressed rice – the thick and thin varieties.

If
you are using the thin variety, wash the Pressed rice in a colander and
use immediately.If you let it stand too long,it will get soggy.

If using the thick variety,wash it and put in a vessel.Sprinkle a little water,cover and let it stand for 10 minutes or till it is soft.Then use it in the recipe.