Ingredients

  • for the rice
  • 3 cups cooked long-grain rice
  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron (kesar)
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 4 tablespoons finely chopped mint leaves (phudina)
  • salt
  • for the gravy
  • 1 cup mixed boiled vegetables (cauliflower florets, peas, french beans)
  • 2 bay leaves (tejpatta)
  • 4 peppercorns
  • 4 cloves (laung or lavang)
  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida powder (hing)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (jaiphal)
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon cornflour, mixed with
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup cream
  • 2 teaspoons kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • salt

Method

  • For the rice.
  • Warm the saffron, add a little water, rub it so the milk becomes yellow and add to the rice.
  • Mix in the rice, chopped mint leaves and salt and keep aside.
  • For the gravy.
  • Heat the oil in a pan add bay leaves, peppercorns and cloves to it.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes, chili powder, coriander-cumin seed powder, asafetida and nutmeg powder. Cook for a few minutes while mashing continuously till the oil separates from the mixture.
  • Add the tomato sauce and milk-corn flour mixture. Bring to a boil, add cream and mix well.
  • Mix the vegetables in the gravy and keep aside.
  • How to proceed.
  • Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a huge vessel make a layer by spreading 1/3 of the rice.
  • On it spread half the gravy and 1/3 of rice. Layer again with remaining half of the gravy and remaining 1/3 rice. Cover a lid and seal the edges with a dough.
  • Cook on a slow flame for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot.