Vegetable Pulao

This is a very simple , light and delicious dish  . It goes very well with spicy and creamy curries . I have made it with fresh veggies but you can also make it with frozen veggies too , so here goes .....

INGREDIENTS

3 cups good quality basmati rice washed and drained .

1 bay leaf 

2-3 cloves 

8-10 whole peppercorns

3-4 green cardamom

1 tbspn cumin seeds

1tbspn oil 

1 tbspn clarified butter or ghee

200 gms french beans chopped 

1 medium potato cut into cubes 

1 large carrot cut into cubes 

1 medium onion sliced 

1/2 cup frozen peas 

6 cups hot water 

1 tbspn rose water (optional)

METHOD

In a deep pan ,heat the oil and the ghee , add the cumin seeds , when it starts to crackle add in the rest of the whole spices and fry for a few sec taking care not to burn it .

Add in the onions and saute it till it turns pale .

Add in the rest of the vegetables except the frozen peas and saute for a few minutes .

Add in the rice and saute that for a few minutes .

Add the 6 cups of hot water ,rose water ,peas and salt to taste . 

Bring the water to the boil and simmer it and cover and cook till all the water has evapourated .

Gently mix the rice and veggies with a fork as a spoon can break the rice .

TIPS

While cooking rice make sure the water is a tad more saltier ,the salt in the rice will be perfect .For a light fluffy rice gently prick the cooked rice with a fork .