Vegetable Dum Biryani(Homestyle)

 

Ingredients:

1. Long grain basmati rice( 2 cups)
2. Onion-1(Chopped very finely)/Fried onion from store
3. Potatoes – 2 (cut into large pieces)
4. Green Peas – 1 cup
5. Beans – 1 cup, cut into long pieces
6. Carrots – 1( cut into big pieces)
7. Cauliflower – 15-20 florets
8. Green Chilies – 4 (slit them vertically)
9. Paneer-1/2 cup(cut into cubes)
10. Mint Leaves
11. Cilantro
12. Ginger/Garlic Paste – 1 Tbsp
13. Coriander Powder – 2 tsp
14. Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
15. Garam masala/Biryani masala- 2 tsp
16. Yogurt/curd- 1 cup(beat it nicely)
17. Oil/Butter
18. Saffron- 12 strands
19. Salt

 Spices:

1. Cloves-2
2. Bay leaves- 2
3. Cinnamon stick- 1/2
4. Cardamon(optional)-2

Method:
1.Soak rice in water for 30-45 minutes.
2.Heat 4 cups of water,add rice,cook for 5 minutes.Make sure its just half cooked.Drain and set aside.
3.Also soak saffron strands in water and keep aside.
4.Heat a large pan with oil,add all the spices and saute.
5.Add ginger garlic paste and stir for 2-3 minutes.
6.Then add the finely chopped onion and fry it well or you can add fried onion bought from any store(available in indian store)
7.Next toss in the cauliflower,carrot,potatoes,peas,beans,green  chillies one by one,add salt and allow them to cook 60%.Dont overcook and mash them.
8.Add the coriander,turmeric powder and little garam masala/biryani masala.
9.After 5 minutes,add the cubed paneer and saute without breaking it.
10.Add Mint leaves,cilantro ,the cup of curd,mix and allow the spices to soak into the vegetables.
11.Now there are two options.Either cook in a slow rice cooker or in a large non stick round bottomed vessel.
12.Rice cooker: Coat the bottom with little ghee/butter.First layer with soaked rice,second layer with the cooked marinated vegetables.Alternate this.Drizzle the saffron water.Top with a little fried onion.Don't mix.Switch on the cooker.(If you want,can add a layer of almonds,raisins,cashews too).
13.Round bottomed Vessel: Follow the same as step 12.layer it with bread loaves finally.Close it with a lid. Cook on low flame for 20-30 minutes.
11.Serving: Just mix the biriyani gently and serve hot with raita.

Quick Tip!!:I choose to cook in a rice cooker as i need not worry about burning/sticking to the vessel.