Vegetable Fried Rice

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups rice, preferably basmati rice, rinsed
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/8 teaspoon chilli powder
1 baking potato (about 1/2 pound), peeled and cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
2 carrots, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
2 cups water
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 10-ounce package frozen peas, defrosted
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 capsicum, seeds and ribs removed, minced
1 tomato, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup coriander leaves

Preparation
FOR RICE: Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in the rice and boil until just done, about 10 minutes. Drain the rice, return to the pot, and cover to keep warm.
FOR VEGETABLE: Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, melt the butter with the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the cumin, turmeric, curry powder, and chilli powder and cook, stirring, for 1 minute longer. Add the potato, carrots, water, and salt. Increase the heat to moderately high and simmer until the vegetables are tender and no liquid remains in the pan, about 10 minutes.
TO SERVE: Stir the peas into the other vegetables and remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the yogurt and rice and serve topped with the capsicum, tomato, and coriander leaves. .
Linda George