Veg Pulao (Restaurant style)

This is the famous food in south india.. Its made of very hygienic vegetables.. and can be made very easily in home within few minutes..Lets c how to make dis in home with easily available vegetables..

INGREDIENTS:

• Basmati Rice - 1/2 cup
• Big Onion - 1 small sized finely chopped
• Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tsp 
• Mixed Vegetables - 1/2 cup
• Water - 3 cups
• Roasted Jeera Powder - 1/8 tsp 
• Garam Masala Powder - 1/8 tsp 
• Mint Leaves - few 
• Coriander Leaves - few to garnish 
• Ghee - 1 tsp + 1 tsp
• Cashews - 10 
• Salt - to taste 

To temper:

• Oil - 1/2 tbsp 
• Jeera - 1/2 tsp 

For the spice mixture:

• Cinnamon - 1/4 inch piece 
• Cloves - 2 
• Cardamom - 1 whole 
• Pepper Corns - 1/2 tsp 
• Star Anise - a small piece

METHOD:

1. Soak basmati rice for 15mins.Cook rice in a pot along with bayleaf, a small piece of staranise,2 cloves,cinnamon and a cardamom.Let it cook.
2. Meanwhile gather all the spices, dry roast for 3mins until nice aroma rises.Then grind it to a semi coarse  powder.
3. You may not end up using the powder fully, I reserved 1/2 tsp and added the rest.Once rice is cooked soft, strain the excess water(if any I didnt do) then spread it on a plate and fluff it up with a fork and let it cool down.
4. Steam cook the veggies for 8-10mins until the veggies are slightly soft yet crunchy enough to bite.Set aside.In a nonstick pan - heat oil add jeera and let it crackle then add ginger garlic paste, onion and fry for a minute then add the spice mixture along with roasted jeera powder,garam masala powder.Add required salt.Give a quick saute.
5. While the onions get fried , fry the cashews in ghee till golden brown and set aside.Now in the pan add the veggies and saute for 2mins.Then add the cooked rice.Cook covered for 2mins.
6. Give a quick stir.Garnish with coriander leaves and mint leaves.Mix well until the leaves slightly shrink.Finally add ghee and fried cashews.Switch off.\