Cooking time: 25 mins.
Ingredients
For Rice
1 cup rice
1 tsp ghee / oil
2 pcs Cardamom (elaichi)
2 pcs Cinnamon (dalchini)
Cloves (laung)
Peppercorns (kali mirch)
2 bay leaves (tej patta)
Salt ( to taste)
2 cups water
1/2 cup milk and saffron a little

For vegetable layer
1 tbsp ghee / oil
1 onion (chopped)
3 large tomatoes (chopped)
6 – 7 garlic flakes
2 – 3 green chillies (chopped)
1/2 cup green peas
1/4 cup carrots
1/2 cup cauliflower florets
1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
1/2 cup water
Salt, black pepper and red chilli powder (add to taste)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1/2 tsp garam masala powder

Method
1. Wash and soak rice in 2 cups of water for half an hour. Drain the water.
2. Microwave ghee/oil in a microwave safe bowl for 30 secs at 100% power.
3. Add cardamom, cinnamon, peppercorn, salt, rice and 2 cups of water. Boil for 9 – 10 mins at 100% power and then at 60% power for 5 – 6 mins.
4. Add 1/2 cup milk and saffron to the rice. Allow to stand covered for 5 mins.
5. In another microwave safe bowl microwave ghee at 100% power for 30 secs.
6. Add chopped onion, tomatoes and garlic. Microwave for 2 mins at 100% power.
7. Add rest of the spices, chopped vegetables and ½ cup water and microwave covered for 5 - 6 mins at 100% power. Allow to stand for 5 mins.
8. In a serving dish place one layer each of boil rice and microwaved vegetables one by one. Microwave (covered) for 4 mins at 100% power. Allow to stand for 5 mins.
9. Serve hot with dal or raita.