Lentil & vegetable biryani

This delicious biryani combines the goodness of lentils and vegetables. I normally use whole masur lentils for this. Here's how I make it:

1 cup basmati rice - washed and drained

1 cup lentils - soaked for 2-3 hrs

1 cup mixed vegetables - I use the frozen kind

1/2 cup onions - chopped

1/2 cup tomatoes chopped

1 tsp ginger - garlic paste

1 tsp coriander pwd

1 tsp cumin pwd

1/2 tsp red chilli pwd

1/2 tsp garam masala

Salt to taste

2 tsp oil

Heat the oil. Fry the onions in it for 5 mins. Add the tomatoes and saute for 5 mins. Add the ginger - garlic paste and the dry spices. Saute for 2 mins. Add the lentils and 1 cup of water. Mix well. Cover and cook on medium for 15 mins. Then add the vegetables and rice. Add salt to taste and about 2 cups water. Cover and cook on medium low for about 15 - 20 mins. By this time the rice, lentils and veggies will have cooked perfectly. Fluff with fork and serve hot with raita, papad etc.

This easy biryani is off to Srivalli's Rice Mela at Cooking 4 All Seasons.