Wash and soak the basmati rice while you get the things ready.
Separate the broccoli into small florets. Peel the skin of the stem and chop it into small strips too. Wash it and keep this aside.
Grind all the ingredients under ‘To coarsely grind’.
Heal oil and ghee in a heavy bottomed pan. Add the bay leaf. Add the ground paste and fry for a minute.
Add the drained rice and fry for another minute.
Add the coconut milk, lemon juice, salt and water. Bring it to boil.
Reduce the heat, cover with a lid and cook for 10- 15 minutes till the rice is almost done.
Open the lid and mix in the broccoli florets. Reduce the heat to minimum and cover again.
Let this steam for the next 5-7 minutes before switching off. Keep it covered for another 5 minutes before opening the lid. This time is just sufficient to cook the broccoli while retaining it crunch, color and nutrients.
