Biryani is my go-to dish, be it a party or just a relaxing weekend. I usually prefer Mutton Biryani, but since I didn’t have the meat on hand, Veg Biryani was the only option for the last-minute meal.
I can taste the Biryani flavors just by looking at a picture. The blend of spices are enough to satisfy the urge, even when there is no meat. So here it goes.
Quick Veg Biryani Ingredients
Biryani veggies
2 Medium Potatoes sliced in four parts
1 Cup Capsicum, cubed
1 Cup Carrots, cubed
2 Cups Corn kernels
1/2 cup fresh Mint leaves
1/2 cup fried Onions
1 1/2 cup Basmati Rice
Veg Biryani Masala Ingredients
2 Onions
5-7 Garlic Cloves
1 inch Ginger
Veg Biryani Dry Spices
1 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp Chilli powder
1 tbsp dry Coriander powder
5 Cloves
2 Black Cardamom pods
3 Green Cardamom pods
1 inch Cinnamon stick
2 Bay Leaves
5 Black Pepper corns
1 flower of Rampatri
1/2 cup Oil
3 tbsp Ghee or Clarified Butter
Veg Biryani Method
1. Soak the rice in water and set aside for at least 30 min
2. Grind Onion, Ginger, Garlic to a fine paste and set aside.
3. Drain the rice and add 3 cups of water
4. Add a cardamon pod, a couple of cloves and half the cinnamon to the pot and cook the rice
5. Stir the rice occasionally and cook until slightly tender but not fully cooked.
6. In a separate, deep pot, heat the oil and add the dry whole spices
7. Heat the spices until aromatic.
8. Add the Onion-Garlic-Ginger paste and saute for a few minutes
6. Add the Turmeric, Chilli powder, and the cubed veggies to the pot
7. Fry for a couple of minutes and then add the dry Coriander powder and mint leaves on medium heat
8. Lower the heat and add the half cooked rice and layer over the veggies
9. Add the Ghee and the fried onions
10. Cover the pot with a tight lid and cook for 10-15 minutes
Serve with yogurt based salad.
And while you are invested in this ‘Quick’ recipe, why not gather everyone around and watch a wonderful movie. The origins of Biryani are vague, but there seems to be consensus that it traces back to Arabia and came to India with Arab traders. So I will suggest that you watch Mughal-e-Azam while enjoying the aromatic Biryani. Mughal-e-Azam is a love story set in the time when India was ruled by the Mughals. It is a story of prince Salim who falls in love with Anarkali, a dancer in the court of emperor Akbar. What follows is a rebellion by the prince against his father who does not approve of the courtship between the prince and dancer Nadira.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0VofST6KuQ
The movie has grand, opulent sets and music by Naushad, which is complemented by lyrics from Shakeel Badayuni – a combination we rarely get in Bollywood music today.
Watch online, or order Mughal-e-Azam DVD!
Veg Biryani Recipe: Print Friendly
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