To make the gravy, heat ghee or oil in a pan or kadai. Add cumin seeds (jeera), bay leaf (tej patta), green cardamom (choti elaichi), black cardamom (badi elaichi), cloves (laung) and cinnamon (dalchini).
1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera), 1 Bay Leaf (Tej Patta), 3 Green Cardamom (Hari Elaichi), 1 Black Cardamom (Badi Elaichi), 3 Cloves Laung (Cloves), 1 Inch Dalchini (Cinnamon Stick)
Add thinly sliced onions and saute for a minute.
1 Large Onion
Then add ginger, garlic and green chilli paste. Cook for 5 minutes till the onions turn golden brown in color.
2 Inch Piece of Ginger, 4 Garlic Cloves, 2 Green Chillies
Add salt, turmeric powder (haldi), coriander powder (dhania powder), fennel powder (saunf powder), dry fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), cumin powder (jeera), red chilli powder and garam masala. Saute for 2-3 minutes.
1 Teaspoon Red Chilli Powder, 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder (Haldi), 1 Teaspoon Coriander Powder (Dhaniya Powder), 1/2 Teaspoon Cumin Powder (Jeera Powder), 1/2 Teaspoon Fennel Powder (Saunf Powder), 1/2 Teaspoon Kasoori Methi (Dried Fenugreek Leaves), 2 Teaspoons Salt, 1 Teaspoon Garam Masala
Add finely chopped tomatoes and cook them till the gravy starts to leave oil on the sides.
2 Large Tomatoes
When the gravy is ready, add diced potatoes and carrots and saute till they are half cooked and just starting to crisp on the edges. These vegetables take the longest time to cook so they are added first.
1/2 Cup Potatoes, 1/2 Cup Carrots (Gajar)
Next add green peas, sweet corn and chopped green beans and cook them for 2-3 minutes.
1/4 Cup Green Peas (Matar), 1/4 Cup Sweet Corn Kernels, 1/4 Cup Green Beans
Then add diced cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and chopped green capsicum.
1/2 Cup Paneer, 1/2 Green Capsicum (Bell Pepper / Shimla Mirch)
Add coconut milk and bring it to a gentle boil. Add some beaten curd to the pan. Cover the pan and cook the vegetables for around 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
1/2 Cup Coconut Milk, 3 Tablespoons Plain Curd (Yogurt)
The gravy for the biryani is ready, set it aside.