Keep aside one to 2 tbsp. Of scraped coconut. Blend chopped coconut pieces with 1 cup water. Filter to extract the milk and Mix with the rest of the water. i.e. 1 ½ cup water. Store bought milk can also be used.
Add ghee to a pan or pot, fry the grated coconut till it turns slightly brown. Add cashews and fry. Set these aside. This step is optional.
To the same pan, add spices and fry till they turn fragrant. Add ginger paste and fry until it smells fragrant. Add slit green chili, chopped vegetables and fry to remove the raw smells. One to two minutes would be enough
Add the milk along with the water (if you haven’t mixed with 1 ½ cup water) and add salt
When the milk begins to boil, add rice and stir
Cook till the rice is fully cooked. Cover and cook on a medium flame. Little water can be sprinkled if rice is still not cooked well.
Garnish coconut milk rice with roasted coconut and cashews.