Spicy Mixed Vegetable Rice

This rice is great when you want something that tastes amazing but doesn't feel heavy and is really healthy. This also goes well with Bharats in Yogurt Sauce. You can use the rice to soak up the remaining yogurt sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups long grain rice (basmati or jasmine)
  
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 whole cloves or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon hing (asafetida) (or garlic powder)
• 3/4 cup frozen or fresh peas
• 1/2 cup cauliflower florets
  
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt

Cook the rice.

Heat the butter in a medium-sized pot and fry the chilli, grated ginger, turmeric and spices for only a few minutes. Be sure not to let the spices burn.
Add the vegetables and let them fry until they are cooked. Once they are cooked removed the bay leaves and cloves if you used whole cloves.
Once the rice and vegetables are cooked combine them and serve warm.