Masale Bhaath - Veggie Pulav

Spicy Maharashtrian Vegetable Rice known as Masaale Bhaath.  

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice - 1 cup
Green Beans - 1/4 cup
Carrots - 1/4 cup
Green Peas - 1/4 cup
Corn Kernels - 1/4 cup
Onions - 1/2 cup
Cashews - 6
Coriander/Cilantro Leaves - few sprigs
Pudina/Mint Leaves - 10
Bay Leaf - 1
Oil or Butter
Salt

Green Chillies - 6
Coriander Seeds - 1 tbsp
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Fennel Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Poppy Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Garlic - 4 cloves
Cinnamon - 1/4 inch
Cloves - 2

Method:
1. Wash rice well, about 4 - 5 times till water is clear.  Keep it in a colander (or any vessel with holes) to drain water.
2. Chop onions, carrots, beans as you desire.  Finely chop cilantro and mint.
3. Grind green chillies, garlic, coriander, cumin, fennel, poppy seeds, cinnamon and cloves with 1/2 cup water to a fine paste. 
4. Heat 1 - 2 tbsp butter or oil in a cooker and add bay leaf.  After few seconds, add onions, carrots, beans, peas and corn.  Saute till veggies are half cooked.  Now add washed rice and cashews.  Saute for about 2 minutes at low flame.
5. Add the ground paste, 1 1/4 cup water, salt and stir.  Add chopped cilantro, mint leaves and pressure cook till one whistle blows.

6. Let the pressure drop naturally, about 15 minutes.  Open the cooker lid and gently mix.  Serve Masaale Bhaath with raita or koshimbir.