Vegetable Pulao (Nepalese)

Vegetable pulao is the festive rice dish of Nepali homes — basmati rice simmered with whole spices, vegetables, and ghee until every grain is separate and fragrant. It is the dish made for guests, for holidays, and for the days when you want something special without much fuss. One pot, a handful of spices, and dinner is done. It is also the dish that makes the house smell like a celebration. The resting time is what gives you perfect, separate grains. It is comfort and celebration in the same pot.

Fragrant rice dressed in festival spices

Whole cumin, cloves, cardamom, and a cinnamon stick perfume the rice as it steams, while carrots, beans, and peas add color and sweetness. The ghee gives it a soft, nutty richness, and each forkful carries a gentle warmth. Serve it with yogurt, achar, or dal for a complete meal — and let the pot rest before anyone lifts the lid.

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