THREE-TIER VEGETABLE BIRYANI

We had a hectic Saturday yesterday. Tushar, my 11 year old son who is starting middle school (6th grade) on the Aug.25th, invited 4 of his friends for a get-together party one last time before the school starts.

As you can imagine, we went through a pretty busy day. They came with games, Guitar and hungry stomachs !! One lost his tooth while eating pizza ! (NO!! not because of my pizza ,he had a loose tooth already!..LOL..)They ate so many cookies, started rough-housing immediately after!! I am glad they had a good a time :) New schools, new chapters in their young lives start next week! God bless them!!

Here is a veg Biryani from Asha Khatau's book I cooked for our sunday lunch today. Tasted and looked pretty good, so I thought I would post it.( Yes, I recovered quickly since the party!) Soon after I post this, we are off to middle school for 6th grade open house !!

Tri-colored Vegetable Biryani:



















YOU NEED:
2 Cups cooked Sona Massoori or Basmati Rice
1lb Bag of Frozen mixed Veggies
2 cups Tomato Sauce

MASALA: TO FRY AND GRIND:
2 big onions
3 Kashmiri Chillies
1 tbsp Coriander Seeds
1 tbsp Cumin Seeds
1 tbsp Poppy Seeds
1/4 Cup Dry Coconut
2" ginger
5-6 Garlic
4 Cloves
1" cinnamon
2 Pods cardamom (seeds)
Turmeric

GARNISH:
2 tbsp Ghee and Oil
1 Onion sliced and fried crisp for garnish
Cilantro
1 Bay Leaf

View from the top:

METHOD:
1. Heat oil, fry 1 onion until crisp. Cool and keep aside for garnishing.
2. Fry and grind all the masala. Heat 1 tbsp ghee or oil with 1 bay leaf, add masala and fry until you get good aroma, then add tomato sauce and all the veggies. Cook until oil shows on top and somewhat dry.
3. Divide rice into three portions. Mix one portion with little salt,turmeric ,press it down a round well oiled bowl. Mix 2nd portion in some gravy made above, press it down on the first.Keep the 3rd as white, press on top of the red rice firmly.
4. Very carefully, cover the bowl with a serving plate and turn the bowl upside down.Loosen the sides and remove the bowl gently.
5. Garnish the top with fried onions, tomato slices and cilantro.

VOILA!! Your own colorful Biryani ready !!

NOTE: Now if you like to serve this way, it's okay by me. But I thought it probably taste very bland since masala is not on all the portions. What I did before serving is that I mixed everything together, served with crisps and tomato raita.

This biryani tastes even better next day as the flavors mingle with the rice and makes it delicious!

Yes! patience IS a virtue..rewards are greater!!! :)


This is how I served:

ENJOY!!!