Cilantro Vegetable Rice

A popular, quick and easy rice for busy work nights. This is typically my kids' dish for parties. If I am not sure whether my little guests can handle heat, I just omit the green chillies and make sure the raitha is extra spicy for the adults. Kids can eat it with simple plain curd and of course, papadums. Makes my little guests happy and mommies smile :)

Ingredients-
Rice - 2 cups, rinsed
Fresh Cilantro - 1 cup
Onion - 1 large, sliced
Green beans - 10 or 15, sliced, thin long strips
Carrots - 2 or 3, sliced, thin long strips
Ginger - 1 inch piece
Garlic - 1 large pod
Green chillies - 3 or 4

Whole spices-
Cardamom - 5 or 6
Cinnamon - 2 inch piece
Cloves - 5 or 6
Saunf (Fennel seeds) - 1/4 tsp

Method -
Cook rice with a little bit of salt and spread on a plate, allow it to cool. For me, pressure cooking for 4 minutes does it.
While the rice cools, heat a pan, and add about 2 tbsp oil/ghee. Add the whole spices to the oil and fry for about 2 minutes in medium to high heat.
Add the onions and sauté for about 5 or 6 minutes. When the onions are soft and transluscent, add the green beans and carrots, a pinch of salt and turmeric powder. Continue to sauté them for another 4 or 5 minutes on medium heat.
Meanwhile, add the ginger, garlic, green chillies and the cleaned and chopped cilantro to a blender jar. Add about 1 tbsp water and grind to a smooth paste.
Add the ground paste to the veggies and incorporate the paste well into the veggie mix. Fry in medium to high heat for about 2 minutes. Reduce heat, cover the pan and cook for another minute or two. When you open the lid, you should see that the vegetables are reasonably cooked in the spice mixture. Remove from fire and cool for 4 or 5 minutes.
Meanwhile the rice would have cooled enough to be mixed in. Add it to the pan and mix to combine well. Check for salt.
Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy. We like to have this with beets raita.
I recently saw that the deadline for JFI-Cilantro has been extended to May 10th. Sending this yummy easy rice dish to JFI-Cilantro, hosted by Cilantro.

My first entry to an event. Hope I didn't miss anything!