Spiced Rice with Vegetables

I fancied a biryani tonight to go with the dhal, but couldn't find a suitable recipe. This is based on Linda McCartney's Vegetable Kichdi. It's nice with a sloppy curry e.g. wet dhal or a tomato based curry sauce.

For 4-6 portions you need:
225g basmati rice (I used brown but would recommend using white as the brown took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to cook...)
50g red lentils
2 large onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
4 cardamon pods
4 peppercorns, crushed
1 tsp chillis
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 stick cinnamon
4 cloves
25g butter
2 tbsp oil
2 inch piece ginger, grated
1/2 head broccoli and cauliflower
1 sweet potato, diced
2 carrots, sliced
750ml stock
1/4 cup cashew nuts

Begin by frying the spices in the oil and butter. When aromatic add the onions and garlic and saute. Then add the rice and stock and carrots. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 mins. Add the remaining vegetables and cook for a further 15-20 mins till the rice is done and the vegetables are tender. Serve topped with toasted cashew nuts and chopped corriander.