Vegetarian Biryani

 

Prep Time: 15 Mins
Cook Time: 40-45 Mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • Pre -Soaked & Drained Rice – 1 ½ Mugs
  • Oil (Sunflower or personal own) – 1 to 2 tbsp
  • Ghee/Butter – 3 to 4 tbsp
  • Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cloves & Bayleafs – 2 to 3 of each (optional)
  • Finely chopped White onions – 1 large or 2 medium
  • Potato (Cubed)– 1 medium
  • Frozen Mix Vegetables (Cauliflower, green beans, sweetcorn, carrots, peas) – 400g
  • Paneer (Cubed) – 100g (optional)
  • Finely chopped Garlic – 1 tbsp
  • Finely chopped Ginger – ½ tbsp
  • Sashi’s Biryani Masala – 1 tbsp
  • Sashi’s Garam Masala – ½ tbsp
  • Salt –1½ tsp
  • Red Chilli Powder – 1 tsp
  • Passata Sauce (100g) or 2 fresh tomatoes (finely chopped)
  • Yoghurt – 2 tbsp
Cooking Method
  1. Put the Oil in a pan then add Onions and gently fry for about 10 to 12 mins on a medium heat until soft. Set onions aside once cooked
  2. Next add 2 tbsp Ghee/Butter into same pan and add the Garlic and Ginger - sauté for 1 to 2 mins
  3. Add Sashi’s Biryani Masala & Garam Masala alongside the Red Chilli Powder, Salt and Turmeric into the mixture and cook for 1-2 mins on low to medium heat
  4. Next add Passata/Tomatoes and Yoghurt into the pan and stir for 3 to 4 mins
  5. Add the Vegetables, Potato and Paneer into the mixture and cook for 10 mins with lid on (stirring occasionally)
  6. In a separate pan add the Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cloves and Bayleafs with 1 tbsp of Ghee/Butter. Cook for 2 to 3 mins on low heat. Add the pre-soaked Rice and ½ tsp of salt with 900ml water (Partially close the lid) and parboil the rice for 7 to 8 mins until semi cooked. Drain the rice, and set aside
  7. Now begin the layering process. Add half of the cooked vegetable mixture and form a layer at the bottom of the pan. Next layer half the rice on top. Add some of the onions and repeat by adding the final layer of vegetables on top of the rice and add the last half of the rice on top of the vegetables. Add 450ml of water in the pan and add the sautéed onions over the top layer of the rice with 1 to 2 tbsp of Ghee or Butter. Tightly add foil over the pan and close lid (ensuring no steam can escape). Simmer on a low heat for 15 mins
  8. Once cooked, Lift the foil away (Be careful of hot steam) and serve with Yoghurt or Raita
Points to Remember
  • Adjust level of Sashi’s Biryani and Garam Masala according to taste
  • Soak Rice – Wash rice until the water runs clear. Fill a pan with half warm water and rice and let it sit for 1 hour