Peas Pilaf or Pulav is an aromatic rice made using a variety of spices and green peas. It is a wonderful multi-step activity that helps young children in sequencing and organising steps and coordinating their fine motor movements. The control required in spooning rice and peas, pouring water and calculating when to close the water dispenser are simple challenges that make the activity exciting. Not to mention, the aromatic spices are a treat to the olfactory and gustatory senses.

Who is this for?

I would begin around 22- 24 months

Things Required

• 1 medium sized bowls (½ cup shelled green peas)
• 1 medium bowl (1 cup long-grain basmati rice)
• 1 pitcher (water)
• 1 small bowl (2 tbsp ghee or soft butter)
• 1 small bowl (2 – 3 cloves)
• 1 small bowl (cumin seeds)
• 1 small bowl (salt to taste)
• 1 mixing ladle
• 1 spoon
• 1 rice cooker

Preparation

I generally do not recommend pre-measuring water in a cup because walking up and down to fetch water and learning when to close and open the water-dispenser challenges young children’s judgement and developing gross motor coordination. I also do not prefer to crowd the pulav with too many spices especially when young children are smelling, tasting and mixing.

Slicing onions are a wonderful step that can be added to the recipe. Onions can be sliced by the adult since they are tough roots. However, the tears that come while slicing onions, the spicy taste and aromatic smell of onions are all wonderful experiences to offer young children who can assist in discarding the skin, washing the onion, etc.

As always, you are the best judge of what works for your child in your kitchen!

Illustrated Guide

I like to begin with an invitation, “Let’s go and make peas pulao for dinner.” Introduce all the ingredients at the table.

Let the child touch and feel the tough peas, the washed rice and smell the spices and ghee.

Show the child to spoon the rice into the cooker.

Move the peas to the front and the empty rice bowl to the back to give better access to the child. Show the child to spoon the peas into the cooker. 

Once they have been transferred, mix the two well.

Show the child to measure two cups of water and pour into the cooker. Let the child pour however they can.

Transfer the cumin, cloves and the salt into the cooker.

Bring the ghee bowl closer to the cooker and pour it into the cooker.

Mix all the ingredients well.

The child can carry it to the plug source and the adult can plug it in. Involve the child in putting the used items away or for wash. Once the rice is done, take in the aroma and warmth of the pulao.

Short Guide

• I like to begin with an invitation, “Let’s go and make peas pulao for dinner.”
• Introduce all the ingredients at the table. Let the child touch and feel the tough peas, the washed rice and smell the spices and ghee.
• Show the child to spoon the rice into the cooker.
• Move the peas to the front and the empty rice bowl to the back to give better access to the child. 
• Show the child to spoon the peas into the cooker. 
• Show the child to spoon the peas into the cooker.
• Once they have been transferred, mix the two well.
• Show the child to measure two cups of water and pour into the cooker. Let the child pour however they can.
• Transfer the cumin, cloves and the salt into the cooker.
• Bring the ghee bowl closer to the cooker and pour it into the cooker.
• Mix all the ingredients well.
• The child can carry it to the plug source and the adult can plug it in.
• Involve the child in putting the used items away or for wash.
• Once the rice is done, take in the aroma and warmth of the pulao.

Note

Since the recipe calls for several small bowls, as you finish transferring, you can tell the child that the bowl is empty and move it to the side. Washing Rice and Shelling Peas are separate activities which can be viewed here.