Friday, March 8, 2013

Quick Masala Biryani | Easy Rice Recipes

One day,while we were having our usual chat amma asked me about this ad about induction cooktops & the concept of Sunday Biryani.Growing up in a vegetarian household,we have no idea what goes into a Biryani and why it is made on a Sunday:).I told her maybe because of the laborious process involved,people like to cook it on a Sunday in a relaxed atmosphere.
Quick Masala Biryani-Ed
On the contrary,the Biryani/Pulao we make,with vegetables is a quick one which gets done in no time.In fact,when sudden guests come over for lunch,we turn to this biryani which looks like a lot of effort went into it but the fact is the effort is limited to the chopping of vegetables and the cooking time,which is minimal.

Many claim that vegetable biryani is a gimmick and is nothing but vegetables stir fried and mixed with rice.Though I tend to disagree,I have no clue how the non-veg version tastes(and don't want to either)so I keep quiet.Ajay is someone who prefers the non-veg version and whenever he praises a veg biryani,I consider the recipe a treasure.
Quick Masala Biryani Last time,when I was home,amma made this delicious quick biryani which was half-finished the moment the pressure cooker was opened.It tastes great hot,out of the pan as well as warm.Serve it plain,with some pickle and papad on the side or with some mint raita.
Quick Masala Biryani-Ed
 Quick Masala Biryani

Ingredients

For the masala paste

Onion - 1/2 of a medium onion,thinly sliced
Tomato - 1 medium,chopped
Green chilly - 1
Coriander - 1 tsp
Jeera - 1/2 tsp
Saunf - 1/2 tsp
Grated coconut - 1 tbsp
Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
Haldi - 1/4 tsp
Whole garam masala - 1 cardamom,1' piece cinnamon & 3 cloves OR
Garam masala - 2 tsp

Oil/Ghee - 2 tbsp
Cashewnuts - 3-4 chopped
Raisins - 6-8
Onion - 1/2 of a medium onion,thinly sliced
Carrot - 1,thinly sliced
Green peas - 1/3 cup
Capsicum - 1/2 of a medium one,thinly sliced
Pudina leaves & Coriander leaves - 1/4 cup each
Basmati Rice - 1 cup
Water - 2 cups
Salt to taste

Method

Quick Masala Biryani-step1 
Make a smooth paste of the given ingredients for the masala paste.Keep aside.
Wash and soak the rice in enough water till you get the stuff ready for the biryani-about 10 minutes.
Quick Masala Biryani-step2 
In a pressure cooker/pan,add ghee/oil and saute cashewnuts and onions till it starts getting golden brown in colour.
Mix in the masala paste till it starts getting pulpy-about 2 minutes.
Quick Masala Biryani-step3 
Add the vegetables and give a good mix.
Now add the mint leaves and coriander leaves and drained rice and mix well.
Quick Masala Biryani-step4 
Add water and salt to taste and let it come to a boil.
Quick Masala Biryani-step5 
Close the cooker with the lid and cook for ONE whistle and then switch off the cooker.
Let it come to room temperature and then open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
Serve warm.
Quick Masala Biryani-Ed
Here's the winner for the giveaway - Poornichan is the lucky recipient to win the book Baking Favorites.Please send me your shipping address so that I can ship the book to you right away.

Thank you every one for the overwhelming response,I do have some more giveaways lined up for the month of March,so stay tuned:)

P.S-Thanks to Nags for helping me out with editing the main pics of the post:)

30 comments :

  1. I have the same thoughts as your about vegetable biryani . Love to make it when there are guests or even no guests.
    Your recipe and stepwise instructions are so good.

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  2. coincidence indeed! dassana posted a pulao too :)

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  3. Who can resist to this beautiful bowl,inviting rice.

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  4. Love the last pic Divya.. flavourful rice and beautiful sides.

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  5. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!OMG!!!!!!!!!!!OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!THANK U SO MUCH DIVYA:))))))))) im so so happy,have no words to express my joy..i have participated quite a few times in ur giveway,but i had no luck!!This time i just cant believe that i won the book:)))))))))))) i am in cloud 9 divya....thanks alot..luv u so much..hugs..i am literally jumping up and down;))

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  6. Yum yum biryani,love the recipe.

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  7. This Biryani looks amazing...love the flavors!!! Like the step by step pics...i admire the effort that goes into that- Great Divya!

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  8. Hi Divya
    I have send my postal address to you through mail and my mail id is monuchandu@gmail.com.thank u:))

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  9. Loved this version and bookmarked....

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  10. OMG.. mouth watering here.. Awesome clicks dear :)

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  11. yummm yummm yummy! biriyani in any form be it veg or non-veg...am still addicted. And this how me too prepare - in the pressure cooker.

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  12. thanks a ton..i was always looking for the recipe of veg biriyani whenever i visited a vegetarian restaurant...it looks yummy too :)..d only prob is that I get the rice overcooked when i do this way..:-(..i mean it gets so sticky..i guess we need a lot of practice to achieve the right proportion..

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    Replies
    1. You just need to add the right amount of water and cook for the right amount of time to achieve the consistency.In this case,I always add 1:2 ratio of rice to water and cook for exactly one whistle in the pressure cooker.Try it and see if it works for you:)

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  13. yum yum yummmm... biryani is my favorite!!!!
    well, i see u add a few extra spices than me, will try it someday
    cheers!
    kunj
    kohllined.blogspot.com

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  14. Yumm! Love the recipe and it is cooked in pressure cooker is the best part. Easy-peasy!! :)

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  15. Looks way too tempting loved the props and presentation very much equally as the biryani :)

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  16. Hi.i just made the biryani.Amazing.You know it si fast to cook ,good to eat.Thanks.

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  17. Looks very inviting :) Nice clicks and a great recipe :)

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  18. The Biryani looks fab and the pictures you hve put up are really drool-worthy! The easy recipe truly belies the how complex and flavorful it looks!

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  19. Love those veggies in the biryani. I never get tired of making one pot meals. Love them. Thanks for sharing Divya..

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  20. Lovely recipe suitable for a busy day too.Will surely try it.

    I would love to know about the pressure cooker shown in your picture.Is it a stainless steel one?

    Thanks,
    Deepthy

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    Replies
    1. Yes,it is a stainless steel 3.3 ltr handi Cooker-Prestige brand.

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  21. bookmarked to try this recipe. i made quick masala biryani a few times in pressure cooker, in spite of being a biryani purist.... but they did not turn out that good. so will try this recipe.

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    Replies
    1. I hope it turns out to your liking Dassana :)

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  22. I tried this and came out very good..It was yummy!!

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  23. I tried it and came out very good..It was yummy and easy!!

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A blog is not complete without the readers feedback.Please let me know how you liked my post.Thank you so much for visiting my blog.

Love,
Divya.

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