Lets talk about veg pulao

Like any Indian dish, there are hundreds of variations. There's also veg biryani, tehri etc. I want to focus on the easiest and most consistent way to make this.

I prefer making it in a pressure cooker, because its easier and faster. Here is the method I use -

• In a pressure cooker, add oil, fry some jeera, onions and green chili. If I have them, I will add bay leaves and black cardamom
• Add vegetables of your choice - I usually add potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, peas
• I also add soy chunks for added protein and taste
• I only add salt and a small amount of cumin/coriander powder
• Add 1 cup rice (I don't soak rice, since its going to cook in a pressure cooker). Fry everything together for 5min
• Add 2 cups water, some coriander, and lemon juice. Cook for 2 whistles

This doesn't result in a perfect pulao, e.g. it can be sticky and not separate grains - I think thats not possible in a pressure cooker? Also sometimes it will stick and burn, so I add more water, sometimes it doesn't. The onions are too mushy.

So I want to see how to improve this. What else do you add? I've seen recipes that add some green chutney, but won't that make it taste very different? I don't want to add fancy things like cashews (too expensive).

Any suggestions to improve the technique?