Vegetable Biryani

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 4 cups water
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 4-5 cloves
• 2-3 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup green beans, chopped
• 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1-2 teaspoons biryani masala or garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh mint and coriander leaves, chopped
• Fried onions
• Saffron strands soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk
• Chopped mint and coriander leaves