Broccoli Masala Rice

Ingredients:

1 cup basmati rice
2 cups broccoli florets
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, sliced
1 tsp ginger, chopped
1 tsp garlic, chopped
1 tsp chilli powder
a pinch of turmeric powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp asafoetida
1 tbsp cashew nuts
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp chana dal
2 dry red chillies, broken
salt to taste
3 tbsp oil

1. In a pan, boil water adding little salt. Add broccoli florets to this and boil for 2-3 minutes. Switch off and put the broccoli into the cold water taken in a bowl for 1 minute (blanching). Drain the water and keep it aside.
2. Wash and soak the rice for 20 minutes. Add 2 cups of water in a pan and bring to a boil adding salt.
3. Add drained rice to this, mix well and cook covered on medium flame till half done.
4. Then add blanched broccoli florets and cook until all water is absorbed and rice is cooked.
5. Heat oil in another large pan and add cumin seeds. Then add dry red chillies,chana dal and cashews.
6. Add asafoetida to this and mix well. Then add chopped ginger and garlic and saute well till the raw smell disappears.
7. Add sliced onion and salt and saute until transparent. Add in the chilli powder, turmeric powder and garam masala and saute for 1-2 minutes on low flame.
8. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until soft.
9. Then add the cooked rice with broccoli on top of this masala and cook covered for 5-8 minutes on low flame.
10. Mix well and remove from flame…Serve warm with raita…