Vegetable Biryani

Vegetable Biryani is a healthy and colorful rice dish prepared with spices and vegetables. This nutrient rich recipe contains soya chunks and vegetables chiefly carrots and green beans. Protein-rich soya chunks provides similar taste of meat and is good for women health to maintain healthy bones and overcome menopausal symptoms.

Ingredients

• Basmati rice - 2 cups
• Carrot - 1/2 cup, chopped
• Green beans - 1/4 cup, cut into 1 inch pieces
• Potato - 1/2 cup, peeled and cubed
• Soya chunks - 1/2 cup
• Onion - 1, medium sized
• Tomatoes - 2, large sized
• Ginger garlic paste - 2 tbsp
• Chilli powder - 1 tsp
• Biryani masala - 2 tbsp
• Garam masala - 1 tbsp
• Mint leaves - 1/2 cup
• Coriander leaves - 1/2 cup
• Cinnamon/பட்டை - 1 inch
• Cloves/கிராம்பு - 2
• Fennel seeds/சோம்பு - 1 tsp
• Marathi mokku/மராத்தி மொக்கு - 2
• Star anise/Annachi mokku/அன்னாச்சி மொக்கு - 2
• Bay leaf - 1
• Salt - To taste
• Ghee - 1 tbsp
• Oil - 1 tbsp

Method

1. Soak the basmati rice for half an hour. Drain the water and keep aside.
2. Boil water in a pan and turn off the stove. Add soy chunks and let it sit for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water and squeeze the water. Keep aside.
3. Heat ghee and oil in a cooker and add cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds and bay leaf. Saute till it leaves a nice aroma.
4. Add chopped onions and little salt. Saute till golden brown.
5. Add ginger garlic paste and tomatoes. Cook till mashed.
6. Add coriander leaves and mint leaves & cook till wilted.
7. Add chilli powder, biryani masala and garam masala & mix well.
8. Then add chopped vegetables and soy chunks to the cooker and cook for 2 minutes.
9. Now add well drained rice and mix well.
10. Add 3 cups of water and adjust salt to taste.
11. Close the lid and cook for 1 whistle. Then simmer the stove for 5 minutes and turn it off.
12. After the pressure is released gently mix the rice.
13. Serve hot with raita.

Tips

- You can add or omit vegetables like potatoes, green peas, cauliflower, capsicum and beetroot.
- You can also sprinkle some ghee roasted dry fruits over the rice before serving.