HANDI BIRYANI

Hello,
today i wanted to pamper myself with some rich and yummy Indian food,and what could have been better than "handi biryani".its infused with different flavors and is one of my favorite dishes.so i thought of sharing it with all of you.

INGREDIENTS:
1. basmati rice----------------------------------------1 cup
2. cinnamon-------------------------------------------2 inch stick
3. cloves----------------------------------------------2
4 .bay leaves------------------------------------------2
5. cardamom------------------------------------------2
6. yogurt-----------------------------------------------3 cups
7. red-chili powder------------------------------------2 tsp
8. turmeric powder------------------------------------1\2 tsp
9. fennel seeds-----------------------------------------1\4 tsp
10.salt-------------------------------------------------to taste
11.garam masala---------------------------------------1\2 tsp
12.cumin powder--------------------------------------1\2 tsp
13cumin seeds-----------------------------------------1 tsp
14.garlic-----------------------------------------------2-3 cloves(finely chopped)
15.ginger-----------------------------------------------1\2 inch finely grated
16.green chillies-----------------------------------------4 (finely chopped)
17.safforon----------------------------------------------4-5 strands
18.coriander powder------------------------------------1 tsp
19.ghee-------------------------------------------------3 tbsp
20.carrots-----------------------------------------------1(cut into cubes)
21.beans------------------------------------------------15-16(cut into 2 inch peice)
22..onions-----------------------------------------------2 large(1 finely choopped,1 sliced)
23.capsicum--------------------------------------------cut into cubes.
24.tomatoes--------------------------------------------2  large(cubed)
25.green peas------------------------------------------1\2 cup
26.coriander leaves-------------------------------------1 tbsp.
27.cashews---------------------------------------------7-8(halved)
PROCEDURE:
1.In a bowl beat the yogurt and add ingredients 7-18 along with tomatoes and finely chopped onions.
2.place the mixture aside for a minimum of 4 hrs.
3cook the rice with cinnamon, cardamom,bay leaves,cloves,until its 3/4th cooked,drain excess water.
4.boil carrots,beans and peas in water until cooked,drain and soak in ice cold water to retain the color.
5.in a deep pan add ghee ,fry  cashews and onions till golden brown and keep aside.
7.add  cumin seeds to ghee followed by yogurt mix
8.cook the yogurt until ghee starts separating .from the gravy.
9.add  capsicum and cooked vegetables and mix well.
10.keep it aside to cool down.
11.ake a handi arrange alternate layers of rice and gravy,topmost being rice,cover it with a lid.
12.place the handi on a hot tawa on low flame and cook for 15 min.
13.garnish with finely chopped coriander,fried onions and cashews.
14.serve hot with raita of your choice
SUGGESTIONS:
1.you can substitute a baking dish for the handi and cover it with aluminium foil to cook biryani in an oven.
2.preheat the oven at 275 degrees for 10 min,lower the heat to 225 and cook for 15 min.