Veg pulav( pilaf)

Pilaf( pulav) is known by various names as it is quite common in many countries of the world. Its either rice or broken wheat cooked in veg or chicken broth. In India lots of whole spices like bay leaves , cardamom, cloves, Cinnamon etc are used. Some people prefer to add dried herbs like sage, chives, dill, oregano etc in their pilaf. Very easy to prepare, but the taste would be hard to resist. Here goes the recipe...

Ingredients:
Thai jasmine rice( can use basmati also) - 5 cups
green chillies - 2 nos
ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Carrots - 1 nos
peas - 1/4 cup
capsicum - 1 nos
beans - 1/4 cup
onions - 2 nos
Veg stock - 10 cups
salt for taste

Whole spices like:
cloves - 5 nos
cardamom - 4 nos
Cinnamon - 1 stick
bay leaves - 2 nos
aniseed - 1/2 tsp
star aniseed - 1 nos

oil - 4 tbsp
dalda - 2 tbsp

Method:
In a stew pot, heat oil and dalda. Add whole spices, when aroma is released add finely sliced onions and fry till they are golden brown. Add ginger- garlic paste, green chillies and saute for a min. Add all the vegetables (either cut lengthwise or finely chopped) and saute for 2 min. Add rice, veg stock, salt. Cover and cook till done.

Note:
Veg stock cubes may be added instead of veg stock. Check for salt, then add if required.