Flavored rice prepared with basmati rice, biryani masala and mixed vegetables, usually served with some curry and raita. I served it with potato korma and onion raita, which was absolutely perfect side dish for vegetable pulao. It is a simple one pot meal that you can prepare for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

Serves 4 to 6

• 2 cup - Basmati rice
• 1 to 1 1/2 cup - Mixed vegetables ( I have used carrot, beans, peas, corn)
• 1 big or 2 small - Onion (sliced lengthwise)
• 5 to 6 no’s - Green chillies (add as needed)
• 1 1/2 tsp - Ginger garlic paste
• 1 handful - Coriander leaves chopped
• 1 handful - Mint leaves chopped
• 1/4 tsp - Lemon juice
• Salt to taste

Seasonings:

• 4 tbsp - Oil and butter (each 2 tbsp)
• 1 small - Cinnamon stick / pattai
• 2 to 3 no’s - Clove
• 1 big - Bay leaf
• 1/4 tsp - Cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp - Fennel seeds / sombu
• 1 no - Cardamom / elachi
• 1 no - Star anise

For garnishing:

• 1/4 tsp - Ghee
• 9 to 10 no’s - Cashew nuts
• 10 no’s – Raisins

Preparation method:

1. Wash and soak rice for 30 mins and set aside. Roast cashew nuts and raisin in little ghee and set it aside.
2. Heat oil and butter in a pressure pan / cooker, season with items given in the list for seasoning. Add onion and green chillies along with little salt, saute until they are slightly brown in color.
3. Add ginger garlic paste, saute for few seconds. Followed by mixed vegetables, saute for a minute. Pour in 4 cups of water and required salt, bring it to boil. Now add soaked rice and allow them to cook until rice is 3/4 done.
4. Add chopped coriander and mint leaves along with lemon juice, mix well. Cover with lid and cook them for about 1 whistle or until well cooked. Allow them to cool completely.
5. Finally garnish with roasted cashew nuts and raisin, mix well. Serve it with any curry of your choice and raita.

Notes:

• Do not over cook or under basmati rice. If you are following the same steps as mine, then add 1 : 2 ratio of water ( for 1 cup of rice add 2 cups of water) to make it fluffy. Otherwise add water ratio 1:1 1/2 and make it fluffy.
• Increase or decrease number of green chillies as per your spice level.
• You may use any vegetables of your choice. I have used carrot, beans, green peas and corn kernels.