Vegetable Rice with Raita

Date: 11/21/2009
By Lakshmi Wariar

For the Rice:
Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked Basmati Rice
• 2 cups mixed vegetables diced or chopped (carrots, beans, peas, corn, potatoes, etc.)
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 small onion diced or chopped
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2-4 cloves
• 2-4 cardamom pods
• 1 bay leaf
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp cashew nuts and raisins (optional)

Method:

• Heat oil. Add the onions. Fry for a minute.
• Add the mixed vegetables and fry for about 4-5 minutes.
• Add the turmeric powder, cloves, cardamoms, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, cashew nuts, raisins, and salt. Mix well.
• Add the uncooked rice and stir.
• Add 1.5 cups of water.
• Bring to a boil and simmer till the rice is done.
• Remove the cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf before serving.
• Serve hot with Raita (see below)

For the Raita:
Ingredients:

• 1 small onion chopped
• 1 tomato chopped
• 1/2 green cucumber chopped
• fresh cilantro leaves chopped (optional)
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• salt to taste

Method:

• Add the chopped vegetables to the yogurt with salt.
• Mix well. Garnish with cilantro leaves.