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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Soy Nugget And Vegetables Biryani

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The minute I saw this at Valli's space, I knew I would be making it.. Soon.. So I did and did again. First thing that I loved about her Biyani was the color. It looked so vibrant. I used Kashmiri Chili powder to give my Biryani a similar color. How do you like it? How do you like it? The second thing was the big fat "Vat" that was used to make the biryani in such a large scale! Totally loved that gigantic "crater-sized" casserole! Man, the whole place must have smelled heavenly with all that fried spices. **Drool**. Last but not the least was the team effort that went into making this wonderful biryani. It must have been a memorable and fun excercise!

Anyways, scaling down the ingredients for a smaller crowd was a bit tedious especially when I am used to Imperial system and her recipe was per the Metric system! First time I tried, it was a bit nerve-wracking. If everything doesn't come together, Biryani will end up in a big disaster! Tricky business, that!! Second time I tried, I wrote it down. These 2 times there wasn't even a passing thought in my brain to use a bloody metric converter. My brain is a weird thing! Adoozy, if you ask me! Anywayz, I just went with the detailed pictures from her post as a guide and my so-called "cooking" experience. And both the times, it turned out Phenomenal! Sometimes, I just amaze myself!  He He.

Ingredients(For 6-8 Servings):
  • 3 Cups Aged Basmati Rice, cleaned and soaked in cold water 30 minutes prior to cooking
  • 1 to 1-1/2 Cups Nutrela Mini Soy Nuggets/Chunks, cooked as per packet directions
  • 1 Pack Pearl Onions (~24#s), peeled and finely chopped
  • 10-12#s String Beans, ends snipped and cut roughly cut
  • 2 Medium Carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 Medium Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced with skin on
  • 1 Bunch Cilantro, cleaned and finely chopped
  • 1 Bunch Mint Leaves, leaves separated and stem discarded
  • 6 Large Garlic Cloves, peeled
  • 1" Ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
  • Whole Spices - 3 Bay Leaf, 1 Star Anise, 1" Cinnamon Stick, 5 Cloves, 2-3 Kapok Bud/Marati Moggu
  • 1/2 Cup Fresh or Frozen Green Peas
  • 1-1/2 Tbsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder
  • 3/4 Tbsp Chili Powder or less/more
  • 1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 Tsp Garam Masala
  • 1/3 Cup Olive Oil
  • 3 Tbsp + 1 Tsp Ghee/Clarified Butter
  • Salt as needed
  • 6 Cups Water (Usually 1 Rice: 2 Water Ratio works for me)
Procedure:
  • Cook the Soy Nuggets in plenty of hot water as per the package directions.
  • Drain it completely and squeeze out the excess moisture. While it is still warm marinate it in 1 Tsp of ginger-Garlic paste and little salt.
  • Peel the pearl onions and chop it finely.Cut the Beans, Carrot, Potato. Set aside.
  • Clean the Cilantro and finely chop it. Chop 3/4th of the Mint Leaves.
  • Grind the ginger, garlic and remaining (1/4) mint leaves to a coarse paste. Set aside.
  • In a thick, deep bottomed pan, add the Oil and Ghee. Fry the spices and add the chopped pearl onions. Saute until it is well and truly browned.
  • Add the coarsely ground ginger-garlic paste and fry for a couple of minutes. Throw in the chopped herbs saving some for garnish.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes and let it shrink and lose shape.
  • Add the marinated soy chunks, cut vegetables and give it a stir.
  • Add all the powders and salt soon after adding the vegetables. Add 1/2 Cup water and lid the pan. Let it cook for 5 minutes on low flame. 
  • Completely drain the rice and add it along with green peas.
  • Pour the water and stir gently without breaking the rice. Add more salt or spice at this stage.
  • Lid the pan and cook on medium flame for 15-18 minutes.
  • Switch off the stove and let the biryani "rest" atop the stove for 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped herbs and a tsp of ghee. Stir gently and serve with Raita.



A few other Rice delicacies:

Enjoy! 
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18 comments:

  1. Whenever i make vegetable briyani,i couldnt stop myself adding soya nuggets, briyani with full of flavours..

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  2. Very flavorful biryani! I do remember reading VAlli's post when she posted it. Very good team effort.

    I loved all your biryani/ pulao recipes in this BM.

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  3. It does look amazing, and I wish I had it in front of me right now. Great job!

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  4. Yum! I enjoy biryani a lot and why not this veggie version.

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  5. Very colorful, pleasing to the eyes & am sure its very delicious

    http://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com/

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  6. I can imagan the flavor of this biriyani looks so inviting.

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  7. I am so glad you made it and enjoyed..I guess this is one of those frequent biryanis we get it done at office..:)..our chef makes it really droolworthy..your plate looks amazing as well..will pass on this to her, she will be so happy..

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  8. Yummy one pot meal...looks wonderful and delicious.

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  9. what a complete one pot meal...so nutritious but coolorful and healthy too

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  10. what a delicious looking platter, can have it anytime

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  11. Healthy nutritious Biryani...looks colorful and very flavorful too.

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  12. Absolutely delicious biryani. Protein packed and healthy. Lovely pics.

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