Recipe Cooked, Photographed and Written by Praveena
PrepTime:2 mins CookTime:8 mins Cuisine:Indian
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Lentils & Veg Rice, is the next recipe I made in my Electric Pressure cooker. Wanted to serve something for the family, which has more of protein & veggies in a one-pot meal. In that case, this is one basic option to feed the whole family easily within 10 mins.
Pressure cooking makes it much easier, to prepare such family meals during busy week nights, quickly & mess free. This rice recipe is called as ‘PULAGAM’ in South Indian Telugu language, which is generally made during Indian festivals (or) as breakfast item.
Yellow Moong Lentils, are sweet in aroma & taste when cooked. They are so soft in texture, hence cooking time is quite less when compared to other lentils. In this rice dish, the yellow moong lentils are the main ingredient, without which the entire dish becomes a basic flavoured rice.
Health Benefits of ‘Lentils & Veg Rice’:
Yellow Moong Lentils / Dal, are a rich source of protein & iron.
Rice is rich in starch and hence in carbohydrates too. Its GLUTEN FREE and provides fast and active energy. Brown rice is a whole grain, so its highly nutritious than white rice. White rice, has lower arsenic levels as the outer part is removed.
Cumin / Jeera has many health benefits like Aids Digestion, Boosts Immune System, Treats Respiratory Disorders, Promotes Skin Health, Treats Insomnia, Prevents Diabetes, has antiviral and Antibacterial Properties and is High Source of Iron (info from the internet).
To conclude, this recipe is a Wholesome meal rich in Protein, Iron, Carbs & Fiber. It does has the goodness of mixed vegetables to give the essential nutrients.
We all loved it plain without any side. You can have any chutney as a side too. My Chutney recipes collection⇒ Chutney / Dip
Before starting to cook, don’t forget to see the Tips mentioned at the end.
My Electric Pressure Cooker recipes⇒ Instant Pot Recipes / Electric pressure cooker recipes
Curry Recipes Collection here⇒ Curry / Koora / Stir Fry
Related Posts:
- Jeera Pulao / Cumin Rice (Instant Pot, Stove top)
- Spinach & Chickpeas Pulao Rice (South Indian style)
- Spring Onion Pulao / Salad Onion Rice (Instant Pot, Stove top)
- Green Moong Beans (Sprouts) Pulao (Instant Pot / Stove top)
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Ingredients:
- White Basmati Rice – 1 cup
- Yellow Moong Dal / Yellow Split Moong Lentils – ½ cup
- Water – 1½ cups (for cooking)
- Mixed Vegetables – 1½ cups (frozen / fresh) (chopped)
- Cashew Nuts – 10
- Fresh Ginger – 1 tablespoon (chopped)
- Green Chillies – 4 (slit length wise)
- Salt – 1½ teaspoon
- Whole Black Peppercorn – 1 tablespoon
- Black Pepper Powder – 1 teaspoon
- Whole Cumin Seeds / Jeera – 1 tablespoon
- Turmeric Powder – ¼ teaspoon
- Fresh Coriander Leaves – handful (chopped)
- Curry Leaves – 5 (optional)
- Chopped Coriander Leaves – 2 tablespoons
- Cooking Oil / Ghee – 2 tablespoons
Special Ingredients:
- Green Chillies
- Turmeric Powder
- Curry Leaves
Step wise pics Procedure for ‘Lentils & Veg Rice’:
Rice : Water ratio for cooking in an Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker is 1:1½.
- Firstly, take the rice and lentils into same bowl, wash them thoroughly and add water up to the level they are soaked well. Set the bowl aside.
- Switch on the gadget, open the lid, SET to SAUTE MODE for 3 mins.
- Now, add the cooking oil / ghee, whole cumin, whole pepper, black pepper powder, curry leaves, slit green chillies, chopped ginger, cashew nuts and turmeric powder.
- Sauté them until the cashew nuts turn light brown in colour.
- Add the mixed vegetables and salt. Mix everything.
- Drain the water from the soaked rice & lentils. Transfer the rice, lentils to the pot. Add fresh water (for cooking) into the cooker vessel.
- Mix throughout gently, but be careful not to break the rice.
- Close the lid of the cooker, close the valve, set to RICE MODE, under high pressure (OR) set to PRESSURE COOK mode, under high pressure for 5 mins.
- Release the pressure naturally (NPR) & open the lid.
- Using a fork, fluff up the rice gently, garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Done!!
Tips:
- Adjust the salt & spice, as per your taste.
- This is strictly a NO Onion & NO Garlic recipe. The combination doesn’t suit much.
- If you wish to alter the moong lentils, with any other variety, you might do. But the aroma, texture& taste would definitely differ.
- This, Lentil & veg rice, stays good for 2 days at room temperature.
- It can also be stored in refrigerator for a week, and can be re-heated before serving.
Result:
- The colours seen in this, Lentils & veg rice, would undoubtedly attract anyone easily! Isn’t!?
- We all loved it plain without any side. You can have any chutney as a side too. My Chutney recipes collection⇒ Chutney / Dip
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Lentil Based Veg Rice
Equipment
- Instant Pot / Electric Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup White Basmati Rice
- ½ cup Yellow Moong Dal / Split Yellow Moong Lentils
- 1½ cups Water (for cooking)
- 1½ cups Mixed Vegetables (frozen / fresh) (chopped)
- 10 count Cashew Nuts
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger (chopped)
- 4 count Green Chillies (slit length wise)
- 1½ teaspoon Salt (or as per taste)
- 1 tablespoon Whole Black Peppercorn
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tablespoon Whole Cumin Seeds / Jeera
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- a handful Fresh Coriander Leaves (chopped)
- 5 count Curry Leaves (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Chopped Coriander Leaves
- 2 tablespoons Cooking Oil / Ghee
Instructions
Rice : Water ratio for cooking in an Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker is 1:1½.
- Firstly, take the rice and lentils into same bowl, wash them thoroughly and add water up to the level they are soaked well. Set the bowl aside.
- Switch on the gadget, set to SAUTE MODE for 3 mins.
- Add the cooking oil / ghee, whole cumin, whole pepper, black pepper powder, curry leaves, slit green chillies, chopped ginger, cashew nuts and turmeric powder. Sauté them until the cashew nuts turn light brown in colour.
- Add the mixed vegetables and salt. Mix everything.
- Drain the water from the soaked rice & lentils. Transfer the rice, lentils to the pot. Add fresh water (for cooking) into the cooker vessel.
- Mix throughout gently, but be careful not to break the rice.
- Close the lid of the cooker, close the valve, set to RICE MODE, under high pressure (OR) set to PRESSURE COOK mode, under high pressure for 5 mins.
- Release the pressure naturally (NPR) & open the lid.
- Using a fork, fluff up the rice gently, garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Done!!
Notes
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Looks awesome
Thanks a lot, Ramya! 🙂 🙂
Looks delicious and filling Praveena. Great idea for lunch menu.
Yes it is! 🙂 Thank you so much, Vidya!!
Can you sub toor dal for moong dal? Thx!
Hi Manisha, Yes you can,but taste might differ a bit. Sorry for late reply.