Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups – basmati Rice
• 3 – medium-sized Onions (finely sliced)
• 12 – French beans (finely chopped)
• 2 – medium-sized Carrots (finely chopped)
• a handful of Green peas (shelled)
• 4 tbsp – oil
• 1 tsp – Cumin seeds
• 4 – green Cardamoms
• 1 – black Cardamom
• 4 – Cloves
• 1 piece – Cinnamon
• 2 to 3 – Bay Leaves
• 1.5 tsp – Red Chilli powder
• 3 cups – water
• salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash and soak the rice for 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed dekchi.
3. Add cumin seeds, cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaves and saute for a few seconds.
4. Add the sliced onions.
5. Fry the onions on a low flame till they are golden in colour.
6. Add red chilli powder and fry it for a minute.
7. Add the vegetables and mix it well.
8. Add the soaked rice, water and salt.
9. Mix it gently.
10. Cook on a high flame till it boils.
11. After it is boiled, reduce the flame and mix it gently once or twice at intervals.
12. Cook till the rice is done and the water has been dried.
13. Serve it hot with plain curd or any raita.

Recipe courtesy of Anita Raheja