Biriyani .. even the word sounds so exotic right. There are tons of ways to make this wonderful dish and for the most part I take the short cut and do it all in the pressure cooker as a one pot meal. But when I came across this recipe from Vahrehvah I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed and it was an instant hit in the family. I love the layers in this and I feel there is something exotic about it. I have kept it healthy by using less oil and no ghee. I am sure adding ghee will take it to another level. We will be keeping the layered rice and vegetables in the oven finally and it is good to use an oven safe vessel. No oven .. no worries. I have mentioned the alternate method in tips section.
Ingredients
2 tbsp oil
Whole spices – clove, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
Vegetables – Carrots, potato, cauliflower
3 green chillies
1.5 tbsp store bought biriyani masala
1/2 bunch mint leaves
1/2 bunch coriander leaves
1 cup fat free yogurt
Nuts – cashew and almonds
1.5 cups basmati rice soaked for 1/2 hour
Salt to taste
Method
The vegetables need to be chopped into big chunks as you can see in the picture. First heat oil, add the whole spices followed by ginger and garlic paste. Then add the vegetables and green chillies.
Next add half of the mint and coriander leaves followed by biriyani masala. Then add 1/2 cup of yogurt. Next add the paneer and salt.
Mix and let the vegetables cook.
Meanwhile let us get the rice going. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add cumin followed by the rice. Cook until 70% done since we do not want the grains to become mushy.
By now the vegetables are done. Separate the vegetables into 2 portions. To one portion add the remaining yogurt and nuts. Mix. Turn off the stove after few minutes.
Lets start layering. To the vegetable mixture in the vessel add half of the cooked rice. Flatten it. Then add the remaining vegetables which we set aside. Now add the remaining rice. Flatten it. Then add the remaining mint and coriander leaves. (Basically it is veg-rice-veg-rice-mint coriander)
Soak saffron in a little milk and add it over the rice.
Place in a 350F preheated oven for 30 minutes. This is how it looks when taken out of the oven. The second picture shows the layers.
Exotic, colorful and yummy vegetable biriyani ready. Serve with any raita. We had it with okra raita.
Enjoy!
Tips
1. This can also be done on the stove top. To avoid burning use a big vessel with water and place the vessel with rice inside it.
2. After adding nuts fried onions can also be added.
3. The heat in this dish is only from the green chillies and biriyani masala. Do not add too much of the masala powder as it is overpowering.
4. I have not used turmeric but we can use it to give more color.
@Lakshmi: Thanks for the feedback. Glad it turned out good.
Hi,
Thanks for the Receipe.I tried it today and it came out very good:)
Thanks for stopping by…following your blog dear…blog looks nice..decent template…perfect…
Delicious and flavourful biriyani
South Indian Home
Wow…this is such a perfect n yummy biryani…neatly explained with beautiful pictures…thanx for visiting my space n leaving your lovely thoughts
you have a very great space shaping here with interesting recipes n more useful info…happy to follow you…see u again
Super Briyani!! Totally different with out onions !! will try it soon dear..& Thanks for lovely words on my blog..Following you!!
this is a different way from how I've made it – but one way or another, it makes for a delicious meal – Lovely pictorial dear
Nice and delicious biriyani…will try this soon.ur presentation is too good…
Hi, first time here. u have a lovely blog. i never tried briyani in layers. will try soon..
Perfect and yummy biryani,looks awesome.
Thanks for stopping by there..you too have a wonderful space with delicious recipes,happy following u:)
Nice recipe vardini, you have good collection of recipes, first time here. Happy to be following you.
Prathima Shivraj
http://tastyvantalu.blogspot.com/
love the saffron in it.. it definitely gives a nice color to the dish..
nice step by step pics..
New to your space n happy to follow you..
Do visit me as time permits.
http://comeletseat.blogspot.com
lovely it looks – saffron n yogurt in creamy veggies indeed makes for an awesome biryani !
That's one yummilicious biryani…first time to your blog and happy to be following you.
hi vardini ,
thanks for dropping by my blog and following .u have a gr8 blog too. Good to follow u…
yummy veg biriyani..nice blog too..following yours! visit mine too.
http://juls-tryntaste.blogspot.com/
Awesome biriyani..like the way u explain ur recipes
Very yummy biryani there…It looks so classic and wonderful!
Love the colour and texture of the rice.super yumm.
looks so perfectly flavorful!yum!
Perfectly made biryani- looks so very exotic n yum!
US Masala
Biryani looks awesome……even i make veggie biryani but in a pressure cooker!!! Sure this is worth the effort!!!
Super delicious briyani, can have it anytime,simply irresistible..
yummy biriyani….
Kurinjikathambam, Event : HRH-Healthy Summer, Roundup : HRH-Puffed Rice
Superb looking biryani…love 2 hv it anytime..:)