Veg Biryani

Ingredients:

• 1  and 1/2 cup basmati rice (soaked for atleast 10 mins) 
• 1 potato cubed
• 1 carrot chopped
• 1/4 cup green peas
• 1 medium onion sliced
• 1 tblsp ginger garlic paste
• Handful mint leaves
• Handful coriander leaves
• 1 or 2 green chillies (slit)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
• 1 1/2 to 2 tsp biryani masala powder (adjust to suit your taste)
• 2 1/2 cup water or thin coconut milk
• 2 to 3 tbsp oil
• 10 fried cashews or fried capsicum for garnish. 

•  Dry spices

• 1 bay leaf
• 4 green cardamoms
• 1 star anise
• 2 inch cinnamon
• 6 cloves
• 1/2 tsp shahi jeera

Preparation for veg biryani

- Soak rice for atleast 10 minutes. Drain the water and set aside.
- Chop all the veggies and mint. Keep these aside as well.

How to make veg biryani

1. Add oil to a pressure or pot and heat it.
2. Next add spices and fry till you get a nice aroma for 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Fry onions and green chillies until golden.
4. Add ginger garlic paste and saute until the raw smell has gone off.
5. Next, put in all chopped vegetables and fry for about 2 minutes.
6. Add mint leaves, biryani masala and saute again for 2 minutes.
7. Measure and pour water or coconut milk. Add salt and lemon juice.
8. Stir well and taste the water. If needed add more salt.
9. When the water begins to boil, add drained rice and mix.
10. Close the lid and let the cooker whistle once on a low flame. If cooking in a pot, cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked fully. Turn off the stove.
11. When the pressure goes down, open the lid and fluff up with a fork.
12. Serve veg biryani with raita.