Ingredients

• 1 cup - short grain rice, washed and soaked for 30 minutes
• 1 cup - mixed vegetables, chopped (carrot, beans, peas, cauliflower)
• 1 stalk - curry leaves
• 1 - bay leaf
• 1/2 inch piece - cinnamon
• 1 - cardamom
• 2 to 3 - black peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp - cumin seeds
• Lemon juice to taste
• Salt to taste

How to Make Vegetable Rice

• Put 4 cups water to boil.
• Add vegetables and bring back to boil.
• Cook till vegetables are soft but not mushy.
• Drain, saving all water. Keep both aside.
• Boil rice in plenty of salted water including that drained from vegetables.
• Cook till just about done, keeping each grain separate.
• Drain, cover and keep for 10 mins.
• Empty into a large plate and spread to cool.
• Heat a heavy bottom pan and add seeds.
• Add whole spices and curry leaves.
• When lightly roasted, add boiled vegetables.
• Add salt, stir and take off fire.
• Pour onto cooled rice and mix well with fingers without breaking rice grains.
• Transfer to a microwave dish and heat for 2 mins on high before serving.
• Serve hot with kadhi or curd.