Easy and Tasty Mushroom Biryani

(Click image for enlarged view)

Biryani is a delicious Indian rice dish which is often reserved for very special occasions such as weddings, parties, or festive occasions. For biriyani long grain rice (Basmati) is used. Ghee(clarified butter) is used to give it a nice rich flavor. Traditionally it has a lengthy preparation, normally rice and veggies are cooked 70 % separately and then cooked together for the remaining 30% in oven or stove on minimum flame. The purpose of this procedure is to infuse the flavors within the rice.

But sometimes I prefer to make it the easier way with minimum risk. To get the flavors into the rice I cook the biryani and let it sit for 5 hours before serving. This will ensure all the spices infuse the rice.

Biryani is a perfect one pot meal for all occasions .

Ingredients:

For cooking rice

• 2 cups basmati rice (soaked for 1 hr)
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 cloves
• 1 fist of mint leaves
• 1 tsp oil
• 5 cups water
• 1/4 tsp salt

To marinate veggies

• 2 cup mushrooms(cut to half if big mushroom)
• 1/2 cup small cauliflower florets
• 1/4 cup beans
• 1/2 cup diced potatoes
• 1/2 cup diced carrot
• 1/4 cup peas
• 2 green chilles
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

For Biryani

• 1 cup sliced onions
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 cloves
• 6-7 black pepper
• 1/2 tsp jeera
• 2 cardamom (peeled and crushed)
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup curd
• 1/4 cup chopped cashew
• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp ghee

(Click image for enlarged view)

Step 1 - Cooking the rice

Wash and soak the rice with 6-7 cups water for 1 hour.After one hr drain the water completely and keep aside.

In a rice cooker bowl 5 cups of water when it starts boiling add cloves,bay leaf,cinnamon stick,mint leaves,oil and salt to it.Now add the soaked rice to it.And mix nicely and let it cook.Once it cooks take the lid off and slowly stir it to seperate the rice grains.

Step 2 - Marinating the Veggies and Mushrooms

In a big bowl mix all the vegetables expect mushrooms with 1/2 tbsp ginger garlic paste,1/4 tsp turmeric powder,1/4 cup mint leaves and 1/8 cup colantro and 1 tsp dhania powder, 1/2 tsp chilli powder. Cover and let it sit for 30 min.

In another bowl take mushrooms and mix it with the remaining 1/2 tbsp ginger garlic paste,1/4 tsp turmeric powder,1/4 cup mint leaves and 1/8 cup colantro and 1 tsp dhania powder, 1/2 tsp chilli powder. Cover and let it sit for 30 min.

Step 3 - Preparing the Biryani

Heat oil and ghee in a pan,add all the whole spices mentioned for biriyani and once cumin seed splutter add the cashew and after 1 min add the onions and let it fry till it it turns golden brown, then add chilli powder and coriander powder and then add the tomatoes and saute for a min.

Then add the marinated veggies and let it cook, once it cook 2/3 rd add the mushrooms with salt to taste. Let it cook till all veggies become tender. Now add the curd and cook in low flame let the gravy thicken.

Once all water evaporates add the cooked rice and mix softly and cover and let sit on low flame for 10 min. Stir occasionally every 3 min and your mushroom biriyani is ready. Serve with raitha

Note:

1. If you using pressure cooker to cook rice add 3 cups of water to 2 cups rice.
   
   
2. Soak rice for 1 hr before starting cooking,to save time while boiling the water begin the marination process for the veggies.
   
   
3. If you are planning to make biryani for a party, to get better taste, prepare the biryani on previous day, once it cool refridgerate it and next day just warm it before serving. This will taste better because all the spices will infuse the rice.This will also give u lot of free time before the party.
   
   
4. If you want the biryani to be more spicy you can adjust the chilli powder according to your convenience.

I am sending this yummy biryani to CMT- Rice hosted by Priya started by Jagruti.

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Tags: Biryani, Mushroom, Vegetable Biryani, Easy Recipe, Rice Recipe