Chikkudu Ginjala Pulao / Lima Beans Pulao

Lima beans are also known as broad beans/ butter beans/ Fava beans. They are rich in protein, dietary fiber, iron, copper, magnesium, folate, and vitamins like B1 and B6.  We can make masala curry or pulusu/tamarind based curry or fry with lima beans or we can mix them with other veggie like brinjal, or with egg to make kalagalupu kuralu/ mixed veggie curries. 

Today I prepared simple yet flavorful one pot meal with lima beans. Preparing pulao with lima beans is easy but little time consuming. Skinning the beans is time taking, but the end result will be heavenly. 

Spice Level - Mild

Ingredients:

• Rice - 2 cups
• Chikkudu Ginjalu/Lima beans - 1 cup
• Green peas - 1/2 cup (optional)
• Onion - 1, small
• Green chillis - 4
• Coriander leaves - 1/4 cup
• Mint leaves/Pudina - 10
• Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
• Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
• Oil - 1 tsp
• Ghee - 1 Tbsp
• Salt to taste

Masala ingredients:

• Fennel seeds/Shah jeera - 1 tsp
• Bay leaves - 2
• Star anise - 1
• Cinnamon stick - 1 inch
• Cardamom - 5 no
• Cloves - 4 no
• Mace - 1/2 flower

Preparation:

• Parboil lima beans and remove the skin.
• Wash the rice and chop onion, coriander leaves, mint leaves and slit green chillies.

Method:

• Heat oil and ghee in a pan and add all the ingredients under masala.
• Add onion, chillies, ginger-garlic paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add lima beans and cook for 3 minutes.
• Add coriander-cumin powder, coriander leaves and mint leaves and mix.
• Add washed rice, saute for a minute. Add 4 cups water and salt, mix and cook with lid on until rice is done.
• Serve with raita.