Sweet Vegetable Pulao

This is a one pot dish which takes less time and also contains lots of vegetables.

 Because of the nuts and raisins and its sweetness it is loved by children as well. Generally its prepared without onions as bhog...but it goes as a good replacement of fried rice with onion as well.



Sweet Vegetable Pulao
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1/2 onion - thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 medium carrot - julienned
• 1/2 capsicum - chopped
• 1/2 cup French beans - diagonally chopped
• 1/4 cup green peas
• 1/4 cup - cashew nuts - roasted
• 1/4 cup - raisins
• 3- 1inch cinnamon sticks
• 4 green cardamoms
• 3 cloves
• 1 star anise
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 and 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp ghee

Method:

• Heat ghee and put the cloves, green cardamom and cinnamon sticks, star anise and bay leaves.
• Sauté till they become fragrant and then add the sliced onions.
• Sauté the onions till they start becoming translucent and add all the other veggies.
• Add the sugar and let it caramelize.
• Sauté the vegetables for 4-5 minutes. They must not be over cooked and loose their crunch.
• Add the cashew and raisins.
• Now add the soaked rice and water. Do not add water more than mentioned. This proportion is just perfect to cook the rice without making it mushy. 
• Mix the vegetables evenly with rice and cook covered.
• Put off the flame when the rice is completely cooked. The rice will have a brownish color because of the caramelized sugar.