Wash and soak rice for at least 30 mins. If you are in a hurry you can soak it in hot water for 15 mins and use up. Discard the water and drain to a colander.
Slice onions (if using) and mint leaves. Slit the green chilies. Make the ginger garlic paste. Set them aside.
Heat ghee or oil in a pot or cooker.
Saute cashews if using. When they turn golden remove them to a bowl and set aside for later to garnish.
Next add cumin, cardamoms, mace, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf and star anise. Saute them for a minute.
Add onions if using and fry until golden. Keep stirring them while frying. You can also skip onions.
Next add ginger garlic paste and fry until the raw smell goes away.
Saute mint leaves for 2 mins.
Next add peas and rice. Saute for 3 to 4 mins.
Pour water and add salt. Stir well and taste test. Add more if needed. The water must taste medium salty.
For pressure cooker, cook for 1 whistle on a medium high flame. Turn off and remove from stove immediately. For al dente rice I release the pressure manually by lifting the whistle with a spatula.
If cooking in a pot, cook covered on a low heat until the water is absorbed.
Fluff up with a fork once done. Allow to rest for sometime.
Garnish peas pulao with fried nuts. Serve with raita or any gravy of your choice.
Press the saute button and pour ghee/oil to the inner pot of instant pot.
Add the spices & saute for 30 seconds.
If using onion, add them along with green chilli and fry until they turn light golden.
Then add ginger garlic paste and fry just for 30 seconds.
Quickly add in peas & mint leaves. Fry for 2 mins.
Add 1½ cup soaked & drained rice. Optionally you can also fry the rice for 2 mins.
Pour 1¾ cups water. Press cancel. Stir in some salt & taste it. If needed add more. Deglaze the pot to release any bits of food stuck at the bottom.
Secure the lid of the instant pot & set the pressure release handle to sealing.
Press the pressure cook button (high pressure) and set the timer for 5 mins.
When the IP beeps, wait for 4 to 5 mins and then do a manual pressure release by moving the vent from sealing to venting. For softer rice, you can let the pressure drop naturally for 8 mins & then release the rest.
Peas pulao is ready. Fluff up with a fork. Serve with raita