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.

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.
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

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

 
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.
 
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.
 
Add the vegetables and give a good mix.
Now add the mint leaves and coriander leaves and drained rice and mix well.
 
Add water and salt to taste and let it come to a boil.
 
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.

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:)