Wonderfully aromatic vegetable dish from India
Wash the rice under cold running water in a sieve and then soak for 1 hour. Then drain and cook in a pan of boiling water until just undercooked. Drain again and set aside.
Heat the oil in a deep-sided frying pan, over a medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown. Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook for a further minute. Stir in the all the spices, bay leaves and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato and cook for one minute and then add the yoghurt and cook for a further 5 minutes or until the oil starts separating.
Add the potatoes and 300ml water and cook for 10 minutes. Add the cauliflower florets plus another 150ml of water. After 10 minutes, add the peas and cook for a further 5 minutes. If the curry looks dry then add a little more water. The curry is ready when all the vegetables are tender.
Preheat the oven to 200c/Gas Mark 6.
Spread half of the cooked rice over the bottom of a large baking tray. Spoon the cooked vegetables on top of the rice and then cover with the remaining rice.
Cover the dish with foil and place into the oven for 30 minutes or until piping hot.
Remove and serve with brown fried onions, flaked almonds and fresh coriander.