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
- Soak the basmati rice for half an hour. Drain the water and keep aside.
- 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.
- Heat ghee and oil in a cooker and add cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds and bay leaf. Saute till it leaves a nice aroma.
- Add chopped onions and little salt. Saute till golden brown.
- Add ginger garlic paste and tomatoes. Cook till mashed.
- Add coriander leaves and mint leaves & cook till wilted.
- Add chilli powder, biryani masala and garam masala & mix well.
- Then add chopped vegetables and soy chunks to the cooker and cook for 2 minutes.
- Now add well drained rice and mix well.
- Add 3 cups of water and adjust salt to taste.
- Close the lid and cook for 1 whistle. Then simmer the stove for 5 minutes and turn it off.
- After the pressure is released gently mix the rice.
- 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.
- You can also sprinkle some ghee roasted dry fruits over the rice before serving.
