South Indian Vegetable Biriyani

Vegetable biriyani is a rice dish prepared with mixed vegetables cooked with basmati rice or jeeraga samba rice and aromatic spices. The aroma of biriyani will make you crave for more. Perfect for festive occasions or a hearty family meal, this biryani is not only delicious but also nutritious.

This is a simple vegetable biriyani cooked in a pressure cooker.

Ingredients:

• Basmati Rice or Jeeraga Samba rice– 1 cup
• Onion – 1 (chopped finely)
• Mixed Vegetables – 1 cup (vegetables like carrot, butterbeans, green peas, beans and cauliflower)
• Bay Leaves – 1
• Cardamom – 1
• Cinnamon Stick – 1
• Cloves – 2
• Coriander Leaves – a handful
• Mint Leaves – a spring
• Salt – 1 tsp. or as needed
• Turmeric Powder ¼ tsp.
• Oil – 1 tbsp.
• For Grinding:
• Aniseeds – 1 tsp.
• Garlic Cloves – 8
• Ginger – 1 inch piece (chopped finely)
• Tomato – 1
• Green Chillies – 3

Method:

• Soak basmati rice in 1 cup of water for half an hour.
• Grind ingredients given for grinding to a smooth paste.
• Heat oil in a cooker and add bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon stick and cloves and fry for a minute in low flame.
• Now add chopped onions and fry till onions turn translucent.
• Add the ground ingredients, coriander leaves, mint leaves and turmeric powder and fry till raw smell goes.
• Add the vegetables and fry for 3 minutes.
• Drain the rice and add and fry for a minute gently. Otherwise, the rice will break.
• Now add soaked water and a cup of water and salt and close the lid and cook till you get 3 whistles.
• Switch off the flame.
• When cooled remove the whistle and mix well.
• Serve hot with raita.