Veg Biryani

Serves 4 : Preparation time 45 mins

2 tablespoons of oil

Spices:
1/2 teaspoon of Shahjeera (Persian Cumin)
1 teaspoon Jheera (Cumin)
3 Cloves
4 inch stick of Cinnamon
1 Black cardamom
2 Green Cardamoms
3 Bay leaves
2 stems of Curry leaves
5 Cashew nuts (Optional)
3 whole dry red chillies
Salt to taste 

2.5 cups of white Basmati rice (soak it)

Vegetables:
1 big onion cut into thin long slivers
1 medium onion cut into thin long slivers (used for garnishing)
4 Green chillies (mild ones) chopped
2 small potatoes diced
1 Carrot diced
1 cup of fresh Green peas
1 small capsicum
1 small bunch of Pudina leaves chopped
1 small bunch of Coriander chopped

Method:

1. Take a large vessel(Or the container of electric rice cokker) and add 4.5 cups of water and bring to boil (this water should be enough to cook the basmati rice)

2. Heat the oil in a pan. Add Shahjeera, Jheera. When they splutter, add cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves,
 curry leaves, cashewnuts, dry red chillies and cook until cashew turns light brown.

3. Add the vegetables: Start with Onion, let it get brown a bit and add vegetables including the Coriander & mint. (Set aside a handfulof mint for garnishing.)

4. Add salt and continue cooking, we want the vegetables to be half done.

5. When the vegetables are half done, add the boiling water into them, add the soaked rice, mix it and let it cook until done.
You can cook it in Electric Rice cooker.

6. Once the rice is cooked,Garnish with fried onion & pudina spread all over the surface of the rice.
Squeeze some lemon (to taste) .


Best can be served with a Gravy curry or Raita.