Indian Vegetable Fried Rice

Into a large pot, add rice and water and bring to a boil on high heat. After 4-5 minutes, reduce heat, add ghee/butter, cover the pot with a lid and let it cook on low heat for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, test a few grains of rice. They should be almost cooked. Now remove the pot from the heat and drain water off of the rice. You can do this using a sieve if you like. Keep aside.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick pot on medium heat. Add all the spices and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Now add all the cut vegetables and sauté on medium heat for 3-4 minutes (to let vegetables cook a little). Take ½ of the cooked rice and mix into the sautéed vegetables, stir for 1 minute.

Now add the remaining rice to the above and sauté everything together making sure vegetables and rice are mixed together. Saute on high heat for 2-3 minutes, thoroughly mixing everything together and then switch off the heat. Add salt and pepper plus more to taste. Remove bay leaves. Serve hot.