Mrs. Ayyer's Vegetable Biryani with Tempered Onion-Cucumber Raita

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1 large cucumber

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon ghee

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons onions, finely diced

Coarse salt, to taste

1 cup carrots, 1/2-inch dice

1 cup coarsely chopped green beans

2 tablespoons fresh cayenne chile, minced

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 cup fresh peas

1 teaspoon saffron threads

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon ground tumeric

4 cups cooked basmati rice

1/2 cup toasted cashew nuts, chopped