This biryani has a very strong flavor of the spices.The main ingredient of this biryani is Soya chunks which was also known as meal maker earlier.It is a great source of protein and it also reduces the cholesterol level.It is totally pure vegetarian in nature.It is very chunky and tasty.We can prepare various preparations out of soya chunks.
Recipe adapted from:Nita mehta
Ingredients:
Basmati
rice-2 cups ( soaked for 30 minutes in water)
Soya
chunks-1 cup(soaked and drained)
Salt-4
tsp or to taste
Turmeric
powder( haldi) – 1 tsp
Coconut milk(ready made)-5 cups or coconut powder- 12 tbsp ( maggie coconut powder- 2
packets) mixed with 3 cups water and 2 cups milk
Lemon juice-3
½tbsp
Ghee-7
tbsp
Paste (Masala):(
makes ½ cup approx)
Red chilies(dried)—10
Onions(chopped)-2
Garlic-
12-14 flakes
Ginger
(chopped)-4 tsp
Cumin
seeds (jeera)-2 tbsp
Fennel(Saunf)-2
tsp
Cinnamon(Dalchini)-2”
stick
Brown cardamom(Seeds of moti elaichi)- 4
Nutmeg(Jaiphal)-
1/4 tsp (grated)
Coriander seeds(Saboot dhania)-4 tbsp
Cloves(Laung)-4
Black peppercorns(Saboot kalimirch)-8
Method:
- For the
paste, roast all ingredients of the paste on a tawa/ kadhai/ wok for 5 minutes
or till fragrant.
- Grind to
a fine paste.
- Use little water if necessary.
- Use
coconut milk or mix one packet of coconut milk powder(maggie) with 3 cups of
water and 2 cups milk and keep the coconut milk aside.
- Heat 7
tbsp ghee in a deep pan with a well fitted lid.
- Add the soya chunks and boil for
10 minutes on medium flame till soya chunks gets golden brown from various sides.
- Add
prepared paste. Fry for about 3 minutes or till it leaves oil.
- Reduce
heat, add ½ cup of prepared coconut milk.
- Cook till nearly dry for about 2-3
minutes.
- Add
salt,turmeric powder, remaining coconut milk, and the soaked rice.
- Mix well gently and give one
boil.
- Reduce heat and cook covered on very low heat for 10-12 minutes or till
all the water has dried and the rice is cooked and shut off the flame.
- Sprinkle
lemon juice, mix gently with a fork.
- Remove
from fire and transfer to a serving plate.
- Separate the grains with a fork.
- Serve garnished with lemon wedges,onions and boondi raita.
Tips:You can add ghee as per you need.
The original recipe called for chicken which I substituted with Soya chunks.
You can also pressure cook this with 1 whistle.
Don't panic if the biryani seems to be milky,just stir it lightly with a wooden spatula and leave it open for few minutes.