Dum Veg Biriyani

This is my friend’s recipe. I went to my friend’s place for lunch and she prepared this amazing vegetarian food. I was surprised how simple and yet complex this recipe was with so many ingredients and vegetables coming well together. The entire house will be filled the aroma of this dish when you prepare.

People might argue saying vegetarian food cannot be called as biriyani. But that’s how my friend called it and thus keeping the same name. I thank her for sharing this amazing recipe which I have tried many times and everyone loved it.

Don’t forget to check my tips after the recipe. Lets get cooking!!!

INGREDIENTS:

Basmathi rice – 1 cup
Onion – 2
Tomato -2
Green chili – 2 (Slit)
Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
Red chili powder – 1 teaspoon
Garam masala – 1 1/2 teaspoons

Biryani leaf – 2
Cardamom – 4
Clove – 4
Star anarsi – 1

Vegetable – (carrots, beans, peas, any of your choice)

Pudina or mint leaves – 1 bunch

Ginger – 1 teaspoon (chopped)
Garlic – 1 tablespoon (chopped)

Oil/Ghee/Butter – 1 tablespoon (may require more)
Curd – 1/3 cup
Cashew paste or malai or cream – 1 tablespoon
Lemon Juice – 1 tablespoon

Salt as per taste

For Garnish : Onions and coriander leaves.

PREPARATION:

Wash the basmathi rice well and soak it for about 20 to 30 mins. Drain and keep it aside. Meanwhile chop all the vegetables and keep aside.

Boil 2 to 3 cups of water in a vessel, with one teaspoon of salt. Add the soaked basmathi rice into it. Cook it in medium to high flame for about 10 mins or until till half cooked. The rice should most double its size. Switch off the flame, drain the water and run the rice is cool tap water to avoid over cooking it. Keep it aside.

Meanwhile lets prepare the masala.

In a small kadai, take oil. Add biriyani leaves, cardamom, clove, star arnasi, fry for one minute. Add chopped ginger and garlic and green chilies, fry for one more minute. Add chopped onions. Fry until onion turns transparent. Add chopped tomatoes and fry until it turns mushy. Add all the vegetables with salt and cooked it with lid closed for about 5 to 10 minutes. Also add roughly chopped mint leaves. You need to half cook the vegetables and keep stirring occasionally to avoid from burning.

Add turmeric and chilli powder and give it a good mix. Add curd and mix well. Finally add malai or cream and give it a good mix. Switch off the stove and keep this mixture separately.

Assembling:

Take a thick bottom kadai or non stick pan or pressure cooker. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Do not switch on the heat. Add a layer of vegetable mixture. Add a layer of rice. Repeat the process.

Cover the pan with the lid and wrap a wet cloth to avoid any steam from coming out. Place this on the stove and keep it in low heat.

Let it cook for about 10 to 15 mins. Switch off the flame and let it sit for 10 mins.

Meanwhile, fry some chopped onions until they caramelized with some oil. Keep it aside to garnish.

After 10 mins, remove the wet towel, open the lid and garnish with caramelized onions and coriander leaves.

You can mix the layered rice well and serve it hot with curd or raita or chips.

TIPS:

– make sure you keep mixing the rice occasionally while cooking the basmathi rice in water. The rice may settle at the bottom and stick to it.
– do not cook or heat the curd for a long time. It will curdle.
– additionally, you can add mint leaves while layering to give that extra flavor.
-it is important to add the ghee or butter at the bottom of the pan to avoid the vegetable gravy from burning at the bottom.
– the cooking time after assembling depends on various factors (like the thickness of the kadai or amount or oil/butter), so keep a check for burnt smell in between.
– a thick wet towel will give a good dum effect and will enhance the flavors of the gravy and rice. It can be prepared without this as well. Just cover the kadai without the cloth.

Remember, the key is to taste the dish at every stage and experiment with it. Let me know in the comments below about your experiment with this recipe.

Please do like and share this recipe. Happy Cooking!!!