Easy Vegetable Biriyani

Ingredients
Basmati Rice- 2cups
Water to cook rice - 4 cups (adjust according to the instruction given on your basmati rice packet )
Onion -1 Big thinly sliced

Potato -1 Medium , peeled and cubed 

Carrot- 1/4 of a carrot, peeled and cubed

Beans - 5-6 ,chopped

Tomato - 1 small chopped

Green peas frozen- 1/4 cup thawed

Cardamom- 2

Clove-4

Cinnamon stick - 2" piece

Bay leaf - 1 small

Fennel- 1/4 tsp

Whole black pepper- 3-4

Ginger- 1 medium piece

Garlic- 1 big clove

Green chillies- 2 

Chilli Powder-1 tsp

Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp

Coriander powder-3/4 tsp

Coriander leaves -1 tbsp chopped

Mint leaves - 1 tsp chopped

Raisins- 1/4cup

Cashew nuts- 1/4 cup

Oil/Ghee

Method

1. Heat a pan.Add the whole spices (cinnamon, cardamom, clove, fennel,bay leaf, black pepper) and heat for a few seconds.

2. Grind the above spices along with ginger , garlic, green chillies, turmeric powder and chilli powder to a fine paste ,adding 1 tsp of water.

3.  Soak basmati rice for 15-30 minutes in water. Wash and drain the rice, allow it to dry 

4. Heat oil/ ghee in a pan in low heat , add rice and stir for 1 minute .Remove from heat and keep aside.

5. Heat oil /ghee in a cooking vessel and add the sliced onion, and all vegetables to it , Saute until it becomes soft . 

6. Add the chopped coriander leaves,mint leaves,raisins and cashew nuts.

7. Add the ground paste roast it and mix well. 

8. Add required water and boil.When it is boiling add the fried rice and cook keeping a lid .

9. When it is done,remove the lid and allow the water to dry completely.Break the lumps using a fork 

Serve hot with Pickle, Raita, Curd, and Pappad