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    You are here: Home / RandomPosts / Tawa Pulao Recipe

    Tawa Pulao Recipe

    Last Updated On: Jun 10, 2024 by Sharmilee J

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    Tawa Pulao is a popular Mumbai street food that is made by sauteing vegetables and rice with pav bhaji masala. Tawa pulao is cooked on the same tawa, pav bhaji masala is made and is quite simple to make with leftover rice. Learn to make Tawa Pulao with step by step pictures and video.

    tawa pulao served in tawa shaped white plate

    Tawa pulao is simple and easy to make if you have leftover bhaji & cooked rice. Tawa Pulao requires slightly more effort if you want to bhaji & rice from scratch – however it is worth the effort for its taste!

    Jump to:
    • What is Tawa Pulao?
    • Tawa Pulao Video
    • Tawa Pulao Ingredients
    • How to make Tawa Pulao
    • Expert Tips
    • Serving & Storage
    • FAQS
    • 📖 Recipe Card

    What is Tawa Pulao?

    Tawa means the concave big pan that is used for making pav bhaji masala in the chat shops. Pulao means cooked rice seasoned with spices. Tawa Pulao is therefore the rice seasoned with pav bhaji masala and spices in a tawa. 

    Tawa Pulao is a street food special dish. The street vendors use a large tawa for making pav bhaji masala, tawa pulao, tawa paneer etc. But you can use any kadai or fry pan for making this pulao.

    Tawa pulao is a unique variation to the usual pulao and we totally love the combo with onion raita. Tawa Pulao has become one of the weekend special that I make once in a month.

    The star ingredient of this pulao is Pav Bhaji Masala Powder – so I posted Pav Bhaji Masala Powder recipe first. I was happy that it turned very flavorful that tasted out of the world. Do try it when you have time & if you wish to explore and try experiments in the kitchen.

    I could not hold myself further with the Tawa Pulao and here we go with the recipe that brings the street food memories at home from our kitchen! This is one of the tasty rice recipes that you can make with leftover rice.

    I sometimes make Empty Tawa Pulao. Just skip the veggies in the recipe given for making Empty Tawa Pulao. Believe me, tawa pulao tastes good with the bhaji masala without veggies as well!

    tawa pulao served in tawa shaped white plate

    Tawa Pulao Video

    tawa pulao ingredients

    Tawa Pulao Ingredients

    • Rice : Its basmati rice that is hands down the best when it comes to pulao, fried rice or dum biryani! However alternatively you can use Ponni Boiled rice or Sonamasoori. Slightly under cook the rice as it gets perfect when we simmer it again with the masala & veggies.
    • Butter, Oil – Both butter and oil is used for cooking this pulao.
    • Tempering – Cumin seeds is used for tempering in butter, oil. Ginger garlic paste is added for flavor.
    • Vegetables – I have used onion, tomato, capsicum that is raw and cooked carrot, peas and potato.
    • Spice powders – Turmeric powder, red chili powder and pav bhaji masala powder is used for this pulao.
    • Lemon – Lemon juice gives a tangy taste to the pulao.
    • Coriander leaves – Coriander leaves is added for garnish.
    tawa pulao ingredients

    How to make Tawa Pulao

    Cooking rice

    1.Cook rice in the ratio 1(rice) : 2(water) in a pressure cooker. Check detailed post on how to cook basmati rice here.

    cook basmati rice

    2.Spread it over a plate to cool down. Set aside. Measure 1 and 1/2 cups cooked rice and set it aside.

    spread it to cool

    Preparing the masala

    3.Steam cook or pressure cook the vegetables for 1 whistle,drain water and keep aside. Heat 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon oil in a tawa.

    melt butter

    4.Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds allow it to crackle. Then add 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste, saute till golden.

    saute ginger garlic paste

    5.Then add 1/2 cup chopped onion along with salt saute until transparent.

    saute onion

    6.Add 1/2 cup tomatoes(chopped), 1/2 cup capsicum(chopped).

    add tomatoes, capsicum

    7.Saute for 3 minutes. Then using a potato masher mash it up.

    mash it with a masher

    8.Onion tomato should be mushy and raw smell should leave completely. Do not add water.

    saute until mushy

    Adding spice powders

    9.Add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, and 1 teaspoon pav bhaji masala powder.

    add spice powders

    10.Saute till the spice powder is mixed well. Make sure not to burn the spice powders so quickly saute.

    saute well

    Adding vegetables

    11.Add 1 cup cooked vegetables. I have used carrot, peas and potato.

    add cooked vegetables

    12.Saute well until the veggies are coated well.

    saute until veggies are coated well

    Adding cooked rice

    13.Add 1 and 1/2 cups cooked rice.

    add cooked rice

    Tossing well

    14.Mix well.

    mix well

    15.Be gentle while mixing do not break the rice. Mix well until the veggies and masalas are evenly coated.

    mix well until blended

    Garnish

    16.Finally add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon coriander leaves and switch off.

    add coriander leaves

    Tawa Pulao is ready!

    tawa pulao served in tawa shaped white plate

    Expert Tips

    • Rice – Soak the rice for 20 minutes then pressure cook the rice for 3 whistles with 1(rice) : 2 cups(water) so that rice is cooked with grains separated.
    • Vegetables – Make sure the veggies are not overcooked and mushy. You can either pressure cook the vegetables for 1 whistle or steam cook them. Steam cooking is the best option. I have used carrot, peas and potato. You can even use cauliflower, beans etc.
    • Do not cut the vegetable too small as they might get mushy while steaming.
    • Raita is the best combination for this tawa pulao – however you can use curd & pickle as well. You can even serve it with chopped raw onion and lemon wedge.
    • Onion, tomato and capsicum should be cooked well without the raw smell of tomatoes and should be mushy.
    • If you feel the rice is dry after mixing add 1 tbsp butter extra and mix it.
    • This recipe is medium spicy, so increase the red chilli powder if you wish it more spicy.
    • You can skip the vegetables to make it Empty Tawa Pulao.

    Serving & Storage

    Tawa Pulao tastes best hot & with time! It is a good choice for lunch box and travel. Tawa Pulao can be refrigerated for use next day. Reheat and serve when you go for another round or use later.

    Enjoy Tawa Pulao with any raita – onion, cucumber, pineapple,etc or plain yogurt! My friend enjoys it even with pickle so try it and continue if you like the combo!

    FAQS

    1.What type of cookware is best?

    Traditionally in shops they use the dosa tawa used for making pav bhaji masala to make this pulao too. But you can use any flat surfaced pan for making it.

    2.Why is my pulao sticky / lumpy?

    It means the pulao is over cooked – either the rice or vegetables or both. Slightly undercook them so that when we finally simmer, the pulao is perfect!

    3.How do you make Empty Tawa Pulao?

    Skip the veggies in the recipe prescribed above for tasty Empty Tawa Pulao!

    tawa pulao served in tawa shaped white plate

    If you have any more questions about this Tawa Pulao Recipe   do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

    Tried this Tawa Pulao Recipe ? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

    📖 Recipe Card

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Tawa Pulao Recipe

    Tawa Pulao is a popular Mumbai street food that is made by sauteing vegetables and rice with pav bhaji masala. Tawa pulao is cooked on the same tawa, pav bhaji masala is made and is quite simple to make with leftover rice and bhaji. Learn to make Tawa Pulao with step by step pictures and video.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time45 minutes mins
    Servings2
    AuthorSharmilee J

    Ingredients

    • 1 and 1/2 cups cooked basmati rice
    • 1/2 cup onion chopped finely
    • 1/2 cup tomatoes chopped finely
    • 1/2 cup capsicum
    • 1 cup boiled vegetables (carrot,peas,potato)
    • 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
    • 1 teaspoon pav bhaji masala powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon coriander leaves
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • salt to taste

    To temper:

    • 1 tablespoon butter optional
    • 1 teaspoon oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon jeera

    Instructions

    Cooking rice

    • Cook rice in the ratio 1(rice) : 2(water) in a pressure cooker.
    • Spread it over a plate to cool down. Set aside. Measure 1 and 1/2 cups cooked rice and set it aside.

    Preparing the masala

    • Steam cook or pressure cook the vegetables for 1 whistle,drain water and keep aside. Heat 1 tablespoon butter. 1 teaspoon oil in a pan.
    • Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds allow it to crackle. Then add 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste, saute till golden.
    • Then add 1/2 cup chopped onion along with salt saute until transparent.
    • Add 1/2 cup tomatoes(chopped), 1/2 cup capsicum(chopped).
    • Saute for 3 minutes. Then using a potato masher mash it up.
    • Onion tomato should be mushy and raw smell should leave completely. Do not add water.
    • Add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder, and 1 teaspoon pav bhaji masala powder.
    • Saute till the spice powder is mixed well. Make sure not to burn the spice powders so quickly saute.

    Adding vegetables

    • Add 1 cup cooked vegetables. I have used carrot, peas and potato.
    • Saute well until the veggies are coated well.

    Adding rice

    • Add 1 and 1/2 cups cooked rice.
    • Mix well.
    • Be gentle while mixing do not break the rice. Mix well until the veggies and masalas are evenly coated.

    Garnish

    • Finally add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon coriander leaves and switch off.
    • Tawa Pulao is ready!

    Video

    Notes

    • Rice – Soak rice for 20 minutes then pressure cook the rice for 3 whistles with 1(rice) : 2 cups(water) so that rice is cooked with grains separated.
    • Vegetables – Make sure the veggies are not overcooked and mushy. You can either pressure cook the vegetables for 1 whistle or steam cook them. Steam cooking is the best option. I have used carrot, peas and potato. You can even use cauliflower, beans etc.
    • Do not cut the vegetable too small as they might get mushy while steaming.
    • Raita is the best combination for this tawa pulao – however you can use curd & pickle as well. You can even serve it with chopped raw onion and lemon wedge.
    • Onion, tomato and capsicum should be cooked well without the raw smell of tomatoes and should be mushy.
    • If you feel the rice is dry after mixing add 1 tbsp butter extra and mix it.
    • This recipe is medium spicy, so increase the red chilli powder if you wish it more spicy.
    • You can skip the vegetables to make it Empty Tawa Pulao.
    Nutrition Facts
    Tawa Pulao Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (125 g)
    Calories 324 Calories from Fat 81
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 9g14%
    Saturated Fat 4g25%
    Trans Fat 0.2g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 3g
    Cholesterol 15mg5%
    Sodium 3011mg131%
    Potassium 484mg14%
    Carbohydrates 54g18%
    Fiber 7g29%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 8g16%
    Vitamin A 6442IU129%
    Vitamin C 66mg80%
    Calcium 60mg6%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sharmispassions or tag #sharmispassions
    Like our video?Subscribe to our youtube channel to get latest updates!

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    Filed Under: capsicum recipes, leftover rice recipes, Lunchbox Recipes, North Indian, peas recipes, Pulao, RandomPosts, Recent Posts

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hamaree Rasoi

      August 14, 2012 at 4:15 pm

      Delicious and colorful tawa pulao. Wonderful dish.
      Deepa

      Reply
    2. Laavanya

      August 14, 2012 at 4:39 pm

      Love the idea of home-made pav bhaji masala… not tried that yet.. must be super flavorful.

      Reply
    3. Nisa Homey

      August 14, 2012 at 5:51 pm

      This is one dish I have yet to taste…as always sharmi your pics are awesome.

      Reply
    4. Prathibha

      August 14, 2012 at 6:01 pm

      One of my fav Mumbai food.looks delicious

      Reply
    5. Sangeetha

      August 14, 2012 at 8:29 pm

      this is my fav too…looks very inviting!!!

      Reply
    6. Nalini's Kitchen

      August 14, 2012 at 8:40 pm

      Flavorful and tempting rice…….

      Reply
    7. Shobha

      August 14, 2012 at 8:51 pm

      Yummy pulao..

      Reply
    8. sowmya's creative saga

      August 15, 2012 at 12:31 am

      looks good!

      Reply
      • fras

        April 27, 2017 at 10:18 am

        Amazing dish….I love it very much.

        Reply
    9. Nagalakshmi V

      August 15, 2012 at 1:51 am

      i hadn't heard of this either. looks pretty spicy!

      Reply
    10. Premalatha Aravindhan

      August 15, 2012 at 2:22 am

      delicious and flavorful pulao…

      Reply
    11. Priti

      August 15, 2012 at 2:42 am

      Looks pretty ….

      Reply
    12. Prathima Rao

      August 15, 2012 at 4:15 am

      One of our fav!! So easy to make & yet a avery addictive pulao!! U can blindly follow SK`s recipes always..I had referred his tawa pulao recipe too when making for the 1st time..Yours has come out perfect Sharmi 🙂

      Prathima Rao
      Prats Corner

      Reply
    13. Aarthi

      August 15, 2012 at 4:21 am

      yummy pulav

      Reply
    14. Gauri

      August 15, 2012 at 6:23 am

      love this preparation, quick and so delicious!

      Reply
    15. M D

      August 15, 2012 at 10:06 am

      Lovely Tawa Pulao. Looks great!

      Reply
    16. Thava

      August 15, 2012 at 11:21 am

      Yummy Pulav.. I have been following your blog quite .. nice recipes and ur presentation is really good. Also I like your frequent updates… Keep it up.

      Reply
    17. Pavithra Elangovan

      August 15, 2012 at 2:54 pm

      Yummm my very fav one 🙂 way too tempting.

      Reply
    18. Veena Theagarajan

      August 15, 2012 at 3:39 pm

      Yummy and super easy dish!
      Great-secret-of-life.blogspot.com

      Reply
    19. radha

      August 15, 2012 at 5:00 pm

      Nice way to make separate servings too!

      Reply
    20. Blogxp com

      August 15, 2012 at 5:28 pm

      pulao looks delicious!
      blogexplore.com

      Reply
    21. Suja Manoj

      August 15, 2012 at 9:11 pm

      Flavorful rice,great pics dear.

      Reply
    22. Chitra

      August 16, 2012 at 5:45 am

      even i wanted to try this for long time. thnx for sharing. will try soon..

      Reply
    23. RAKS KITCHEN

      August 16, 2012 at 6:16 am

      Never made it before, love the ingredients pic a lot 🙂

      Reply
    24. Suma Rowjee

      August 16, 2012 at 11:42 am

      The use of pav bhaji masala was what made me try Tawa pulav. Its something I make quite often now with paneer and some tomato sauce added. One of my easy, fav dishes to make for unexpected guests.

      Reply
    25. jeyashrisuresh

      August 16, 2012 at 12:50 pm

      Very tempting and easy one pot meal.

      Reply
    26. Haritha Batthula

      November 20, 2012 at 3:32 am

      Hi
      can u please post pachapairu sadam?
      your rice items are really delicious.Thanks 🙂

      Reply
    27. Sharmilee! :)

      November 20, 2012 at 7:28 am

      @Haritha : Sure will post it if I find and get a good recipe 🙂

      Reply
    28. Devangi Kanchan

      March 31, 2013 at 1:13 pm

      Lovely… Tasted very well with raita. Thank you!!! 🙂

      Reply
    29. Althea Lobo

      July 14, 2013 at 8:06 am

      nice recipe

      Reply
    30. Sindhuja A

      December 24, 2013 at 6:26 am

      its nice..sharmi pls post egg briyani

      Reply
    31. Harsha Kiran

      July 23, 2018 at 12:35 pm

      Wawoo so simple and great recipe… Thanks @Sharmilee for sharing such wonderful Tava Pulao recipe

      Reply
    5 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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