Aromatic Veg Rice
A simple, aromatic, and flavorful dish, Veg Rice is a perfect blend of colorful vegetables and fragrant rice. It’s a versatile dish that pairs well with curries, or can be enjoyed on its own for a light meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basmati rice (soaked for 20 minutes)
- 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, peas, beans, corn, etc.)
- 1 onion, finely sliced
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 2 green chilies, slit
- 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- 2-3 cloves
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala powder
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee (clarified butter)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)
- Water (2 cups for cooking rice)
Preparation:
- Rinse the rice thoroughly and soak it for about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pan, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, and cloves. Sauté until fragrant.
- Add sliced onions and cook until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute.
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes and green chilies. Cook until tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Add mixed vegetables and cook for 5–7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Add turmeric powder and garam masala powder. Mix well.
Cooking the Rice:
- Pour in 2 cups of water and add salt to taste. Bring it to a boil.
- Add the soaked and drained rice to the boiling water. Gently stir to combine and reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook the rice for 15–20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed.
- Once done, turn off the heat and let the rice rest for 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork.
- Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with your favorite curry or raita.
