Instant pot darshini style pulav
Growing up in Bangalore, a Darshini (or a self help eatery) was the rage when we were in College. For a few rupees, one could be assured of sumptuous meal, which every student loved to grab between long hours at college / university. Apart from the ubiquitous Idli Vada Sambhar (click here for the Darshini Style Sambhar) and Dosa varieties, each day would have a rice Bhath (or flavoured rice of the day as the menu keeps changing), so Pudina Rice, Pongal, Chitranna (tempered rice), this Darshini style Pulav would all feature on the menu depending on the day of the week.
The hallmark Of this pulav (or commonly known as rice bhath - ) is the addition of a flavourful spice masala paste that is a game changer. Scroll down for the detailed recipe + VIDEO !! Sometimes fried bread croutons are also added to this pulav before serving for that added crunch and a textural high.

Other Easy one pot meals you may like are:



- Quick and Tangy Tomato Pulav (our family fav!!)
- A delicious Rajma Pulav
- Bengali Niramish Kichuri (No Onion no garlic)
- Goan Xacuti Veg Pulav with Brown Rice
- Kid friendly Walnut Broccoli Fried Rice with caramelised garlic and sesame
- Nigerian Vegetarian Jollof Rice]
Let’s get started on this Instant pot darshini style pulav

FAQs for this Instant Pot Darshini Style Pulav:
- Yes this can be made perfectly in the cooker too, with adjustments for rice quality, cook time and water as needed.
- The spice blend and the masala paste are both the key here so don’t miss the Ingredients there
- Can be made with short grained like kolam rice and long grained rice like basmati with only slightly varying results. Water would depend on kind of rice used
- Soaking is a key here to get fluffy rice, don’t skip that.
- You can use a choice of vegetables but for the classic version of this Instant pot darshini style pulav , carrot , beans , peas and sometimes potatoes are used
Pin this Instant Pot Darshini Style Veg Pulav Now

What you need to make Instant pot darshini style pulav :
Prep time - 15 mins, cook time - 12 mins, resting time - 10 mins, serves - 4
Course - main course , cuisine - indian
Spice level - medium ; difficulty level - easy
Ingredients for Pulav
- 200 g rice (short grained or basmati)
- 1.5 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cups mixed veggies (used a mix of carrot beans cauliflower potato green peas)
- 1 tomato (slightly tart)
- 1 onion (sliced thin)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon ghee (skip for vegan, increase oil by 1 tsp)
- 1 teaspoon shah jeera
Whole spices:
- 1 inch cinnamon
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1 cardamom
Masala paste
- ½ cup coconut (fresh or frozen, grated)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 inch ginger
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 green chillies
- ¼ cup mint leaves
- ¼ cup coriander leaves
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (fennel)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (opt).
How to make Instant pot darshini style pulav
- Wash rice till water runs clear. Drain and soak for 15 mins minimum. You can soak it upto 30 min too
- Meanwhile wash and cut all the veggies into ½ inch thick baton or equally sized. Keep the cauliflower florets a slightly large
- Grind all ingredients into masala paste and keep it aside
- For the next steps and a detailed video recipe, click on the video link below.
Refer the Video below for a detailed recipe and step by step instructions. If you are visiting our channel for the first time, please don't forget to hit like ???? and subscribe to our channel ❤️. We appreciate your love and would eagerly wait to hear from from you on how we can bring your favourite dishes to our channel too ! Thanks a ton ????????

Instant pot Darshini style Veg pulav
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Ladle
- Wet Blender
Ingredients
- 200 g Raw rice short grained or basmati
- 1.5 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cups Mixed Veggies used a mix of carrot beans cauliflower potato green peas
- 1 Tomato slightly tart
- 1 Onions sliced thin
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
- 2 tablespoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon Ghee skip for vegan, increase oil by 1 tsp
- 1 teaspoon shah jeera
Whole spices:
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1 Cardamom
Masala paste
- ½ cup Grated coconut fresh or frozen, grated
- 1 medium Onions
- 1 inch Ginger
- 2 cloves Garlic pods
- 2 Green Chillies
- ¼ cup Fresh Mint leaves
- ¼ cup Green coriander leaves
- 1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds Saunf
- ¼ teaspoon Whole black pepper opt.
Instructions
- Wash rice till water runs clear. Drain and soak for 15 mins minimum. You can soak it upto 30 min too
- Meanwhile wash and cut all the veggies into ½ inch thick baton or equally sized. Keep the cauliflower florets a slightly large
- Grind all ingredients into masala paste and keep it aside
- For the next steps and a detailed video recipe, click on the video link below.
- Refer the Video below for a detailed recipe and step by step instructions. If you are visiting our channel for the first time, please don't forget to hit like ???? and subscribe to our channel ❤️. We appreciate your love and would eagerly wait to hear from from you on how we can bring your favourite dishes to our channel too ! Thanks a ton ????????
Video
Notes
- Yes this can be made perfectly in the cooker too, with adjustments for rice quality, cook time and water as needed.
- The spice blend and the masala paste are both the key here so don’t miss the Ingredients there
- Can be made with short grained like kolam rice and long grained rice like basmati with only slightly varying results. Water would depend on kind of rice used
- Soaking is a key here to get fluffy rice, don’t skip that.
- You can use a choice of vegetables but for the classic version of this Instant pot darshini style pulav , carrot , beans , peas and sometimes potatoes are used






Priya Vj says
This is a wonderful recipe kalyani . We love pulao at home and this will be a super hit with the right amount spices and veggies. The masala paste surely adds up to all the extra flavor and taste
Kalyani says
yay ???????? do try!
Vasusvegkitchen says
Darshini style veg pulav looks super tasty. Perfect for lunch box, loved the masala paste used. It gives good taste and aroma to pulav.
Kalyani says
Thanks Aruna. we love it for our sunday brunch
Renu says
Freshly made masala paste would add so much taste to the pulav and making it restaurant style at home is just amazing. Rice looks perfectly cooked
Kalyani says
thanks Renu!
Mayuri Patel says
The green masala paste sounds very flavourful. I have not tried veg pulao at any of the darshini restaurants but will definitely do so. In the meantime, planning on making this one pot meal over the weekend.
Kalyani says
Thanks Mayuri. Pl do try and let me know how you liked it
Jayashree T.Rao says
Darshini Pulao sounds flavoursome. My children are a big fan of one pot rice dishes, need too make it sometime soon.
Kalyani says
Thank you, Jayashree.
Radha says
Comfort food! I love the flavor profile and the masala paste sounds amazing. My family would love this.
Kalyani says
awesome! can't wait to hear how your family likes this, Radha!
Sujata Roy says
Veg pulao sounds so flavorful and delicious. Loved the use of masala paste. Totally different and aromatic. I love this type of one pot meal. So I will try it soon.
Kalyani says
THanks Sujata
Poonam Bachhav says
Darshini style veg pulav with freshly ground masala sounds absolutely flavorful ! Perfect to go in the Lunch Box with some raita.
Kalyani says
Thanks Poonam!
Anu says
This one is one of my family's favorite dishes. Perfect meal along with raita and pickle. Your's look perfect with fluffy rice.
Kalyani says
Thanks Anu. Nice to know your family also likes this.
Sasmita Sahoo says
Darshini style IP veg pulav seems absolutely flavorful ! That green masala paste is a killer here
Kalyani says
Thank you, yes that masala paste is the key here
Preethicuisine says
Darshini style Pulao sounds incredible. This is the same way we make at home. I have not eaten Pulao at darshini but good to know it tastes the same. The platter looks so tempting Kalyani.
Kalyani says
yay! cheers then.. we also make this version very often
Swati says
Kalyani Pulao looks so inviting with khila khila rice grains. Freshly ground masala paste must have added so much flavour to it. I never added coconut masala in pulao, I am going to try this restaurant style darshini pulao soon.
Kalyani says
Thank you, Swati.. the coconut-spice paste is the hero here, Swati. Do try when you can and let me know how you guys liked it
The Girl Next Door says
This pulav is among the first-ever things I learnt at my in-laws' place after moving to Bangalore. I too love the flavours - the mint, coconut and fennel especially add such a beautiful fragrance and taste to it.
Kalyani says
yay ! that's nice to hear...
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram says
This darshini style pulao is something I terribly miss out of Bengaluru. Thanks for the exact recipe and the instant pot version, it turns out so good each time.
Kalyani says
oh yes! I make it whenever I miss Bangalore :p
Madhavi Radhakrishna says
Hi Kalyani,
Tried this recipe today and it was excellent. Thank you very much for this recipe.
Kalyani says
Thanks so much for trying this, akka !