1. Soak basmati rice for 10 - 15 minutes, and fry it with 1/4 tsp ghee in a kadai and keep aside.
2. In a heavy bottomed vessel or cooker, add 1 tblsp of ghee.
3. Add elachi, cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon followed by green chillies and onion.
4. Fry for some 2 minutes and then add the cut vegetables, followed by mint, coriander leaves and the powders (red chilli, garam masala, turmeric). Add one tbsp of oil and mix well.
5. Add little salt to the vegetables and fry for another two minutes.
6. Add water, coconut milk, salt to this and stir well.
7. I used coconut milk powder, you can also use readymade coconut milk also.
8. If using powder, add the powder after you add 2 cups water to the veggies and add it before the water starts boiling, to avoid forming any lumps.
9. Add the basmati rice and when it starts boiling, simmer and cook covered for 10-12 min.
10. Serve hot with any raitha!

Recipe courtesy: Rak`s Kitchen