We are big on rice in the house. For the majority of my years, I didn’t like rice that much, and I would only eat it occasionally. But for the last few years, it has become an almost daily staple, thanks to G. So, over the years, I have grown to accept rice, and sometimes even love it. This recipe is definitely one of my favorites. It is almost like biryani, but not really. I guess you can call it mock biryani. It is nice and spicy, and flavored with masalas. It can be eaten as a single dish meal, or as a side. Really easy, and pretty much no fail. Comes out perfect every time.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of rice and appropriate amount of water
- 1 potato, peeled and diced somewhat small
- 1 carrot small chopped
- 1/2 onion finely diced
- 1 green chili, chopped
- 1/4 cup peas
- 1/4 cup finely chopped cauliflower
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp kala jeera
- whole garam masla
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tbsp +1 tsp biryani masala powder (I love Sindhi biryani mix)
- a handful of chopped mint
- a handful of chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup yogurt, whisked
- oil for cooking
Add the rice and water, according to directions to your rice cooker. Let the rice soak for half an hour.
Meanwhile, heat some oil in a pan. Add the whole garam masala. Once they start to splutter, add the kala jeera.
Add the onions, and saute for a few minutes. Add the potatoes, and saute for a few minutes. Add the rest of the vegetables. Give it a stir. Then add the spices. Give it a quick stir. Then add the cilantro and mint. Give it a quick stir, then add the yogurt (omit yogurt, if Vegan). Stir, and take it off the heat.
After the rice has soaked, add the turmeric to the rice. Then add the vegetables and stir it all together. Turn the rice cooker on, and serve once it is ready.
Cucumber raita goes exceptionally well with this rice.
WhitBit's Kitchen 
Hi, I like a lot your recipes, this blog is great! …As English is not my first language, I want to make sure I got it ok before trying. Regarding this recipe, do you first cook a bit the veggies then you put everything in the rice cooker along with the water that originally was with the rice? I’ve never cooked anything but plain rice in the rice cooker, I’d like to try! Thanks a lot and cheers from Italy
Sara
Sorry I forgot to add, after you add the veggies, and after you have added the mint and cilantro and yogurt and spices to the veggies, you will add whatever is in the pan to the rice cooker. So yes, you had it correct. Add the cooked spices and veggies from the pan into the original rice with the original water that has been soaked. You will not need to add any extra water or anything. Sorry if I have now confused you!
Hi Sara, thanks for the compliment! Regarding the veggies, if you have them chopped in bite sized pieces, they really don’t need to be cooked. When you saute them with the spices, that is generally all that is needed. If you have them chopped into larger pieces, I would suggest continue to saute them until they are somewhat cooked. The most I spend with the veggies in the pan is around 3-4 minutes! Hope this helps and let me know how it turns out!
Thank you so much! You haven’t confused me, instruction were clear from the beginning but I just wanted to make super-sure before trying! Cheers Sara
Ok good to know!!
Love your blog! Rice looks good – we eat a lot of it too, because its versatility and cheap factor.
Thank you! Yours is nice too! Rice is definitely one of those food stuffs that can be made into pretty much whatever comes into your head.
I do something similar. I put Rice, vegetables and pulav powder and let it cook. Awesome rice ready in no time.