Adventures in India

Step Two: Heat the oil. My cook added these tiny seeds to the oil as it started to boil, and she did her best to tell me what they were, but I will not attempt to spell it here. Instead, I will post a close up picture, and maybe someone can tell me the name of them in the comments below. (It is suggested, and likely correct, that these are fennel seeds. Thank you commenter!)

I should mention that you also begin preparing the rice at this point, in a separate container, according to the directions on the package.

The pot with oil and seeds

Close-up of the seeds - Very nice person told me these are likely fennel seeds in the comments. 

Step Three: Allow the talented cook to add the vegetables to the boiling grease. (Note: do NOT add the talented cook to the grease)

She looks scared only because of the camera. I swear.

Note the absence of cook in the mix. Veggies are done when they are soft.

Step Four: Add the rice and mix. She also added ketchup and soy sauce. I'm sorry, but I did not pay attention to how much, so I will do that very annoying "season to taste" comment.

Lakshmi told me that they use even more ketchup after the rice makes it to the table, but we liked how it was straight from the pot. Yummy!