VEGETABLE PILAF / PULAO

Serves 6  Preparation time  45 minutes

2 cups basmati rice or any other raw rice,
3 onions sliced finely,
1 cup ground coconut,
½ teaspoon turmeric powder,
2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste,
½ cup oil or ghee, salt to taste,
3 green chilies chopped,
2 teaspoons chillie powder,
1 teaspoon garam masala powder / all spice powder,
2 cups assorted vegetables such as carrots, beans, peas, cauliflower etc cut into medium size bits
A few cashewnuts

Heat oil in a suitable vessel or cooker and fry the onions till brown. Add the ginger garlic paste and green chilies and sauté for a few minutes. Add the chopped vegetables, chillie powder, turmeric powder, spice powder and salt and stir-fry for a few minutes. Add the coconut and fry till the oil separates from the mixture. Add 4 cups of water and bring to boil. Add the rice and mix well. Cook on medium heat till the rice is cooked and each grain is separate. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

ONION, TOMATO AND CURD SALAD   /   PALAU CHUTNEY

2 tablespoons roughly ground coconut paste
2 green chilies
2   medium size onions chopped finely
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lime juice
½ teaspoon sugar
½ cup curds or yogurt

Mix all the ingredients together and serve as an accompaniment for Biryani or Palau.