Spicy Vegetable Biryani

• Basmati rice - 2 1/2 cups
• Onion - 2 nos
• Garlic pods - 10 nos
• Ginger - 1" piece
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Ghee or Butter - A scoop of tbsp
• Chopped tomatoes - 1/2 of the tin
• Green chillies(small) - 2 nos
• Bell peppers -2 nos
• Mushrooms and Vegetables - 1 cup, together  
• Lime or lemon juice - 2 tsp
• Yoghurt - 2 tbsp
• Cloves
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Garam masala - 1 spoon
• Biriyani masala - 1 spoon
• Chilly powder - As reqd
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 of a small spoon
• Salt - As reqd
• Coriander leaves

Preparation:

1)Grind garlic, ginger, one-fourth of the onion & green chillies together with a little amount of water & keep aside.

2)Wash the rice & soak it in the water & keep aside.

3)Heat oil & ghee/butter in a pan.

4)Add the remaining onion & fry them until it turns to golden brown.

5)Add the spices to them & saute for 2 mins.

6)Add the ground paste & fry for 5 mins.

7)Add the tomatoes, turmeric powder, salt, garam masala, biriyani masala, chilly powder to it & cook for 5 mins on low flame.

8)Add all the vegetables, bell peppers, mushrooms & close the lid & cook for 5 - 10 mins.

9)Drain the water from the rice & add to them & stir for 2 - 3 mins.

10)Add lime juice & yoghurt to it & stir well.

11)Add 5 cups ( or as much needed to cook the rice, according to the moisture content in the vegetables) of water to it & close the lid. 

12)Cook until the rice is done  and serve with Onion Raita.

This is a great recipe for Vegetarians. Mix and match the spices. Main flavoring things are the ground onion-garlic-ginger-chilli paste and yogurt. One of my all time favorite.