Chettinad Vegetable Biryani - ( Indian Cooking Challenge )

This month for the Indian Cooking Challenge   an event started by  Srivalli  we are making a very popular vegetable biryani from Chettinad . Chettinad cuisine is very spicy and yummy . The biryani is very delicious and has lovely flavour.

Ingredients :


2/3.....................bay leaves
2 " ....................cinnamon
3 .......................cardamoms
4 ......................cloves
1.....................star anise
2 tbsp..............ghee
2 cups .....................mix vegetables( carrots, peas, beans , cauliflower )
2 cups ....................rice
3 ............................onion ( chopped )
2 ..........................tomatoes ( chopped )
2 tbsp................. chilly garlic ginger paste
1 tsp......................chilly powder
1 tsp........................turmerice powder
1 tsp......................coriander powder
3 tbsp ...................pudina leaves ( chopped)
3 tbsp..................coriander leaves ( chopped )
2 tbsp....................cashewnuts
2 tbsp...................ghee
salt
3 1/2 cups ...............water

Method : 

Wash the rice and soak it in water for 1/2 an hour.

In a cooker add 2 tbsp ghee and fry cashewnuts till golden and keep aside.

Add bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and star anise and saute for 1 minute.

Add onions and saute till golden and then add ginger garlic chilly paste and again saute.

Add chopped mint and coriander leaves  and chopped vegetables.

Stir for 5 minutes and then add tomatoes, all powders and mix well.

Strain out all the water from rice and add rice to the cooker.

Stir well add salt and add 3 1/2 cups water.

Cover with a lid and cook for ten minutes .

Now add 2 tbsp ghee and sprinkle cashewnuts .

Again cover the lid and now pressure cook till 3 to 4 whistles .

Mix well and serve with pickle, curd and raita.