Vegetable Biryani

Name: Vegetable Biryani
Ingredients: 1 1/2 c Basmati Rice; 1 tb Oil ; or ghee; 1 lg pinch Saffron ; optional; 1 pn Turmeric; 1/2 ts Salt; 2 1/4 c Hot water; 1 c Onions ; chopped; 2 tb Oil ; or ghee; 1 ts Fresh Ginger Root ; peeled & grated; 1 1/2 ts Cumin; 1 1/2 ts Coriander; 1/2 ts Cinnamon; 1 pn Cayenne; 1/2 c Water; 1 Carrot ; diced; 2 c Cauliflower florets ; (small); 1 Green Pepper ; diced; 1 Tomato ; diced; 1/2 c Peas; 1/3 c Raisins; 3/4 c Chickpeas; 1/3 c Cashew Pieces ; unsalted; Salt ; to taste