Vegetable Dum Biryani

Ingredients:

Basmati rice- 2cups(washed and soaked for 20mins)
Ghee-100g

Bay leaf-1
Green cardamom-6
Black cardamom-2
Star anise-2
Cinnamon sticks-2
Cloves-8
Black pepper-10
Mace-1

Onions sliced-1cup
Green chillies,slit lengthwise-8
Ginger-Garlic paste-2tsp
Chili powder-1tsp
Potatoes peeled and cubed-1cup
Carrots,cubed-1cup
French beans-1cup
Paneer cubes-1cup(fried)
green peas-1cup
Bread slices(fried in ghee)-3(optional)
Mint leaves,chopped-1/2cup
Coriander leaves,chopped-1/2cup
Saffron strands-few(soaked in alittle milk)
Ginger-5cm,julienned

Method:

Heat a little ghee in a pan, add half of the garam masala, saute until it begins to crackle,add the onions and brown them. Add half of the green chillies, ginger-garlic paste, chili powder and salt, saute for 5minutes. Then add the vegetables except paneer and stir for a while till they are well coated with masala. Now add enough water and cook till done. Bring plenty of water to boil add salt and remaining garam masala. Add rice and cook till they are half cooked, drain out the excess water.

To Assemble:

Take the pan spread the rice,then spread the vegetables,then rice,sprinkle half of the ginger juliennes, green chilies,coriander leaves and mint leaves,alternating rice ,vegetables and mint leaves until rice and vegetables are finished. In the end sprinkle saffron milk and fried bread pieces.Place a moist cloth on the top,cover with lid and sealed with chapati dough(if the lid is loose),on a low flame cook for 20minutes.

serve hot with raitha