Vegetable Pulao

Ingredients:

• 3 cups basmati rice – washed and soaked in water for 30 minutes
• 2 to 3 cups chopped mixed vegetables like beans, beet root, carrots, peas
• 3 tbsp ghee
• Garam Masala (1/2 tsp shah jeera , 2 bay leaves, 5-6 cloves, 1 cinnamom stick)
• 1 big onion finely sliced
• 4 green chillies slit length wise
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves (pudina)
• 1 cup fresh coriander leaves
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• salt to taste
• 5 1/2 cups water

Procedure:

• Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed vessel.
• Add whole garam masala and stir for a few seconds till the jeera splutters.
• Add the sliced onions, green chillies. Saute the onions till they turn transparent colour.
• Add the mixed vegetables and on medium heat, let them cook.
• Then add the chopped mint and coriander leaves and mix well and add ginger-garlic paste and fry for 2-3 minutes.
• Add water, salt, coriander powder and mix well and bring to a boil .
• Add the drained basmati rice and mix well.
• Reduce heat to medium and let it cook covered with lid or transfer it into rice cooker and cook.
• Serve with raita or any curry.