Vegetable Pulao

The Vegetable Pulao is a one dish meal and very easy to make. I have used only carrots, beans, potatoes and cauliflower in this recipe. But you may add or subtract the veggies to suit your taste. This recipe serves 4.

Ingredients 

• 2 cups Basmati Rice
• 4 tbsp Ghee / Oil
• 2 cups chopped vegetables (Carrots, Beans, Potatoes, Cauliflower)
• 1/2 cup Peas
• 2 tbsp Cashews
• 1 tbsp Raisins (optional)
• 2 tsp Salt (Adjust to Taste)
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 
• 1/2 tsp Chilli Powder
• 1 tsp Coriander Powder
• 1 tsp Cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp Asafoetida
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 2 Black Cardamom
• 1 star Anise seed

Grind to Paste:

• 1 Inch Ginger
• 3 Green chillies
• 2" Cinnamon stick
• 4 Cloves
• 1/4 cup Mint leaves
• 1/2 cup Coriander leaves
• 3 green Cardamoms   

Method

1. Heat 1 tsp of Ghee is a pan, fry the Cashews and Raisins and keep them aside.
2. Heat the remaining Ghee/Oil in a thick bottomed vessel / Cooker and add the Bay leaf, Asafoetida and Cumin seeds.
3. When the Cumin seeds start crackling, add the Ground paste and fry it till the oil separates from it.
4. Now add the Vegetables, Turmeric powder, Chilli powder and  Coriander powder and mix everything well.
5. Wash the Rice and add it along with 4 cups of Water and Salt. Stir well and simmer the stove.
6. Cover and cook until the rice is done.
7. Add the fried Cashews and Raisins to the Vegetable Pulao and serve hot with a Raita.