Vegetarian Pulao Recipe | Saveur

Ingredients

• 2½ cup basmati rice
• 1½ tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 3 Tbsp. sunflower oil or ghee
• 4 green cardamom pods, smashed with the side of a knife
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 black cardamom pods, smashed with the side of a knife
• 1 large cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 5 large shallots, thinly sliced
• 1¼ cup frozen peas
• 1 large carrot, peeled and coarsely grated
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp. garam masala
• 1¼ cup coarsely chopped dried figs
• ¼ cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
• Lime achaar (South Asian pickle), for serving
• 1¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tart green apple, such as Granny Smith, coarsely grated (¾ cup)
• 3–4 Tbsp. whole milk
• 2 Tbsp. finely chopped mint leaves
• 1 tsp. sugar
• ½ tsp. cumin seeds, toasted and crushed
• ½ tsp. kosher salt or chaat masala