Vegetable Biryani

Recipe : Vegetable Biriyani:(Without Onion/Garlic)

Shared by : :Lakshminarayanan TV

Date : 30/11/2014

For Rice :

1 cup basmathi rice

1 tsp ghee

2 cloves

2 small cinnamon sticks

2 choti elaichis (green)

1 badi elaichi (Black)

2 bay leaves (medium size)

2 tbsp milk

Pinch of salt

For Gravy : Masala items:

1 tsp jeera

2 cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

2 choti elaichis (green)

2 badi elaichi (Black)

2 bay leaves

½ tsp Javithri (grated)

2 tbsp Ginger

5 green chillies

Other items:

2 tsp Red chilly powder

1 tsp turmeric powder

2 tbsp milk

1 cup altogether - carrot, beans, cauliflower, peas, potato.

10 – 15 soya chunks (small size ) If big reduce the number.

1 cup curd

10 – 15 cashewnuts

10 – 15 raisins

Mint and basil leaves handful

3 tbsp ghee

1 tsp Rose water

Salt to taste

Preparation Method :-

1. Soak the basmathi rice for 30 mins. Bring 3 - 5 cups of water to boil. Add the items mentioned under rice to it and simmer it uncovered. Once its 3/4th cooked remove it from the gas and strain using strainer. 

2. Meanwhile cut the vegetables ( I used frozen due to unavailability of certain vegetables). 

3. Soak the soya chunks in warm water adding some salt to it for 10 mins. Once done, press out the water and wash 2 – 3 times with cold water. Be sure to remove out the water fully from the chunks each and every time you wash. This will help to get rid of the soya smell.

4. Grind the mint and basil leaves along with 2 tbsp of curd and keep aside.

5. In a pan add ghee and masala items and fry. 

6. Add the grounded mint paste and add vegetables to it.

7. Now add red chilly powder and turmeric powder and give it a stir.

8. Add salt and 1 cup water and keep the pan closed. Let the vegetables cook for some time. Add Soya once the vegetables are little cooked.

9. Keep stirring every 10 mins.

10. Once its half cooked, whisk the remaining curd and add to it. Check for salt. If it’s less add little more at this stage itself.

11. Let it be on stove for another 5 mins.

12. Now switch off the gas, In another cooker, add this gravy a little, on the top of it, add a layer of rice, sprinkle some rose water, again a layer of gravy, rice and rose water keep doing till everything is finished. The final layer should be rice. Cover it with a wet cloth and keep a plate on it. Keep a Heavy weight stone on the top of the plate and bring the cooker to boil. Keep it in simmer for 10 mins and Switch it off.