Vegetable Pulao Andhra

Ingredients

• - 2 cups basmati rice
• - 400g mixed vegetables
• - 3 large onions
• - 2 tomatoes
• - 1/2 cup yogurt
• - 4 tbsp oil
• - 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• - Whole spices
• - Fresh mint and coriander
• - Saffron in warm milk
• - Salt to taste

Method

1. Wash and soak rice: Wash 2 cups basmati rice in cold water until clear. Soak 20 minutes. Drain.
2. Prepare vegetables: Dice 1 carrot, 10 beans and 1 potato into small pieces. Separate half cup green peas.
3. Heat ghee and bloom spices: Heat 3 tbsp ghee. Add 1 bay leaf, 4 cloves, 3 cardamoms, 1 cinnamon stick and 1 tsp cumin seeds. Fry 30 seconds.
4. Fry onions: Add 1 large sliced onion and cook 8 minutes until golden.
5. Add ginger-garlic and green chilli: Add 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste and 2 slit green chillies. Fry 2 minutes.
6. Add vegetables and spices: Add all vegetables and toss. Add 1 tsp coriander powder, half tsp red chilli powder and half tsp turmeric. Fry 3 minutes.
7. Add drained rice: Add rice and gently toss in the vegetable masala for 2 minutes.
8. Add water: Add 3.5 cups warm water and salt. Bring to a full boil.
9. Cook covered: Reduce to lowest heat. Cover tightly and cook 15 minutes.
10. Rest and serve: Turn off heat. Rest covered 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Garnish with fried onion and fresh coriander. Serve with raita.