I love a good pulao. It’s basically a mixed rice dish with whatever you want in it and this one takes pulao to even higher heights with it’s set it and forget method in the oven and frozen vegetables. This is my favorite type of meal because the only thing you really have to do is chop an onion which I know is a big ask for some people but for me personally, is a 30 second task. This dish is super flavorful, very filling on its own and can easily can scaled up for a crowd plus it’s vegan! Feel free to add whatever types of vegetables you like or have on hand and play around with the spices.
Oven Baked Chana Pulao
In a 33 x 23cm baking pan or small casserole dish, coat the bottom of the pan with the oil. Add the onion, garlic, spices, vegetables, and but not the spinach and tomato, and mix well to coat.
Bake the casserole dish at 200°C for 15 minutes. While you do this, wash your rice at least three times then set your rice in a bowl of water to soak.
Remove the baking dish from the oven. Drain the rice, then add the drain rice, spinach, tomato, chickpeas and water to the baking dish. Mix and flatten the mixture then cover the dish with tin foil and bake for 35-45 minutes.
Check every 5 minutes after the 35 minutes if it is not done. Fluff the rice and add toppings to serve.