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It often happens that too much rice is cooked during the afternoon meal, resulting in leftovers; similarly, many people cook an excess of rice at night, leaving some remaining. In such situations, while many people dislike eating stale rice the next morning, others are reluctant to throw away food grains. This is because it is believed that food grains represent the blessings of Mother Annapurna. In this context, you can prepare a *pulao* so delicious that people will not only lick their fingers in delight but also ask for second helpings. Let's explore the recipe for this dish.

Usha, a homemaker residing in Ranchi—the capital of Jharkhand—explains, "We do this every four or five days. This is because, inevitably, a small amount of rice is left over every three or four days—sometimes just a handful, other times four handfuls. In such instances, we never throw away the grains, as we revere food as sacred. Thus, you can transform this leftover rice into a tasty *pulao*—and it tastes absolutely magnificent!"

**Prepare this Savory Pulao in Just Four Steps:**

• Homemaker Usha suggests: First, take 3 tablespoons of oil in a pan (*kadhai*) and heat it. Once the oil is hot, add a tempering (*phoran*) of cumin seeds, a bay leaf, and green chilies. When these three ingredients have cooked well, add the chopped onions.

• Next, you need to sauté the onions until they turn a light brown. Be careful not to let the onions become deep brown. As soon as they turn a light golden-brown, you may—if you wish—add a little cauliflower, some carrots, and some capsicum (bell peppers).

• The choice of vegetables you wish to add is entirely optional. You can add one or two other vegetables according to your personal preference; this makes the dish even more delicious. After frying all these ingredients thoroughly, add a pinch of salt. Then, add a little mixed spice blend and a little meat masala (spice mix).

• Once everything is well-fried, add the leftover rice to the pan. After frying the rice for a bit, squeeze in the juice of half a lemon (if available); you may also add some roasted peanuts if you have them on hand. These additions truly enhance and elevate the flavor of the dish. • With just these few simple steps, your savory pulao will be ready to serve. Believe me, once you taste it, you won't be able to tell that it is made from leftover rice. It is so delicious that people will savor every single bite.

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