Pulao

INGREDIENTS

3 cups Basmati Rice -- washed
1/2 medium Onion -- thinly sliced
1 medium Tomato -- thinly sliced
1 medium Potato -- cubed
1 medium Carrot -- cut into thin strips
1 cup chopped Green Beans -- I used the frozen kind
1/2 cup Green Peas -- again I used frozen
handful Mint -- finely chopped
handful Coriander -- finely chopped
6 Green Chillies -- slit lenghtwise
1/8 cup butter
1/4 cup oil
Ginger/Garlic Paste
Garam Masala
Cumin Powder
Coriander Powder
4 small Bay Leaves
4 Cardamom
4 Cloves
1 Cinnamon Stick
Salt
Water

PROCEDURE

I cook my pulao directly in a pressure cooker without any dishes. So, in a pressure cooker, add the oil and the butter cube.
Once the butter cube melts and stops spluttering, you know that it is well cooked, so it is time to add in the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaves.
Now add in the onion, green chilli, mint and coriander. After the onion softens, add in the tomato.
You know that the tomato is well cooked when it turns clear, when this takes place, add in the ginger garlic, garam masala, cumin powder and coriander powder.
Mix everything well and add in the potato, carrot, green bean and green pea pieces. You can use any other vegetables you like as well.
After the frozen pieces soften slightly, add about 4 and 1/2 cups of water (1 and 1/2 cup for every cup of basmati rice) and salt.
When the water comes to a boil, add in the washed rice and toss gently, so that the rice is well mixed with the other ingredients.
Cover and let it cook for the same amount of time as your regular rice.
Serve with raita or any other gravy curries.