Rice & Vegetables Cooked in Exotic Spices (Lucknowi/Awadhi Biryani)

Indian Vegetarian Main Course Special

Lucknowi/Awadhi Cuisine

Basmati Rice & Assorted Vegetables Cooked in Spices (Lucknowi Biryani)

Vegetarian Variation of the Classic Biryani/Pulao

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:
Basmati Rice- 2 Cups

mix of Pure Ghee & Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- 1 Tbsp. each

Bayleaf- 2 No’s

Star Anise (Chakra Phool)- 1 No.

Black Cardamon (Badi Elaichi)- 3 No’s

Green Cardamon (Choti Elaichi)- 2 No’s

Cinammon Stick (Dalchini)- 1 Inch stick

Cloves (Laung)- 3 No’s

Black Peppercorns (Kali Mirch)- 2-3 No’s

Black Cumin (Shahi Jeera)/Cumin Seeds (Jeera)- ¼ Tsp.

Roopak Stores Biryani/Pulao Masala- ¼ Tsp., Roughly Pounded

Onion- 3 Medium, 1- ½ Finely Chopped & 1- ½ Thinly Sliced

Potatoes- 1 Medium, Finely Chopped

Red Bell Pepper- 1 Medium, Finely Chopped

Yellow Bell Pepper- 1 Medium, Finely Chopped

Green Peas- 2 Tbsp., Parboiled

Carrot- 2 Tbsp., Finely Chopped & Parboiled

Fresh Coriander Leaves (Dhaniya Patta)- 2 Tbsp.

Fresh Mint Leaves (Pudina Patta)- 1 Tbsp. (Optional)

Cashwewnuts- 7-8 No’s, Fried till Golden

Raisin- 7-8 No’s, Fried till Golden

Method:

Wash and Soak the Rice for at least ½ Hour

Roast Onion slices till golden brown and keep the Crispy Fried Onions aside

Add Ghee and Olive Oil in a Deep Non Stick Pot

Slightly roast Bayleaf, Star Anise, Black Cardamon, Green Cardamon, Cinammon Stick, Cloves, Black Peppercorns & Black Cumin till they release aroma

Add Chopped Onions, Green Chilli

Add Potato, Parboiled Green Peas, Carrot, Beetroot and Sauté

Add Rice and mix well

Add all 3 varieties of Bell peppers and sauté

Add Saffron infused milk and mix well

Add Fresh Mint Leaves, Coriander and Garam Masala Powder

Add Vegetable Stock, Water, Salt and keep it covered (or on 'Dum' with Whole Wheat Dough (Atta) rolled over the Pot cover) till Rice and Vegetables cook

Garnish with Dry Fruits and Serve hot with Flavoured Vegetable Yoghurt (Raita), thick set Curd or enjoy it just like it is!

Tips:

If the Biryani Rice is pre-soaked, then the Rice: Water Ratio should be 1: ½ unlike the usual 1:2 for raw rice

If preferred, 1 medium finely chopped Tomato can be added

Roopak Stores (Delhi) has a roughly pounded Biryani/Pulao Masala which can be used if the whole spices are not available.

Can add Beetroot- 1 Tbsp., Finely Chopped & Parboiled along with the other Vegetables to give a Varied Colour effect

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)