VEGETABLE BIRYANI

 

 

 

SERVING SIZE 3-4

INGREDIENTS FOR VEGETABLE MIXTURE

Ghee (Clarified Butter) – 2 tbsp

Cumin Seeds – 1 tbsp

Hing (asafoetida) – ½ tsp

Potatoes – 1 big or 2 small (Cut in cubes)

Green Bell Peppers – 2 (sliced)

Red or Orange Bell Peppers – 2 (sliced)

Onions (Preferably Red) – 2 (sliced)

Frozen Carrots and Peas – ½ Cup

Yogurt – 1 Cup (Mixed well)

Ginger Paste – 2 tbsp

Garlic Paste – 1 tbsp

Chili Paste – 1 tbsp

Cashews Halves – 5-7 pieces

Biryani Masala – 2 tbsp

Pav Bhaji Masala – 1 tbsp

Turmeric – 1 tsp

Salt – as per taste

FOR RICE:

Rice – 2 cups

Ghee (Clarified Butter) – ½ tsp

Salt – 1 tbsp

Bay leaves – 1

Anise flower – 2 (optional)

Cinnamon Stick – 1 medium size

Green Cardamom – 2

Clove – 2

GARNISH

Milk – ½ cup

Saffron – Pinch

Fried Onions – 1 cup

 

INSTRUCTIONS: TO COOK VEGETABLES

Heat Ghee in a Pan on Medium heat. Add Cumin Seeds and Hing.

Add Potatoes, ½ tsp of salt and 1 cup water and cook the Potatoes (You can also cook potato cubes in the microwave for 3-4 minutes)

Once the potatoes are half cooked, add Cashews and all the Mixed Vegetables (Carrots, Peas, Sliced Onions, Bell Peppers) and ½ tsp Salt sauté for 5 minutes (Medium to High flames)

Add Ginger, Garlic and Chili Paste and sauté for 5-7 minutes

Add Yogurt and Mix it well and sauté till the vegetables are soft (Do not lower the flames)

Add Turmeric Powder, Biryani Masala and Pav Bhaji Masala and mix it well.

Please make sure you taste this vegetable mixture and add spices according to your taste. I personally make this mixture a little spicy and flavorful as adding rice later on might make it bland.

Turn off the flame.

INSTRUCTIONS: TO COOK RICE

In a pot, add Water, ½ tsp Ghee, Salt, Cinnamon Stick, Bay Leaf, Anise Flower, Green Cardamom, and Clove. Let it come to boil.

Add Rice and stir with a spoon (the flames should be on Medium to high)

Let it cook for 6-7 minutes. Once the rice is 70-80% cooked, drain the rice in a colander with cold water. Set aside. You can also spread the rice on a paper towel, so it is not sticky.

Mix Milk and Saffron in a bowl and warm it in the microwave. Add this mixture on the rice and mix it.

LAYERING/MIXING THE VEGETABLES AND RICE

In an Oven friendly bowl, layer it with rice and vegetables, top it off with Fried Onions, cover it with foil and bake it for 30 minutes on 350 F.

Instead of layering you can also mix rice and vegetables, top it off with Fried Onions, cover it with foil and bake it for 30 minutes on 350 F.

Serve it HOT with Indian Cucumber Raita

You can Ganish the Biryani with Mint Leaves, Cilantro and Pomegranate.

NOTE:

You can also add Green Beans and Cauliflower to your Biryani.