Soya Chunks Biriyani

 

This is a simple biriyani which is easy to prepare and rich in protein. 

Ingredients :

Basmati Rice    1 cup

Water 2 cups

Soya chunks 1/2  cup even less than half cup will do

Fresh yoghurt /curd 2Tbsp

Onion Sliced 2

Tomato 1

Green chilly 3

Ginger garlic past  1Table spoon

Corriander powder 1/2 Tsp

Red chilly powder 1/2 Tsp

Black pepper powder 1 Tsp

Turmeric powder 1 Tsp

Whole spices:

Cinnamon sticks  2 inch stick broken into small pieces

Cloves 6 nos

Dried Bay Leaf 2

Thakkolam  (star anise ) a small petal

Saffron crushed a pinch

Corriander and mint leaves finely chopped 1/4 cup

Oil and salt as required I used sunflower Oil. 

Preparation :

Wash and soak biriyani rice for 20 minutes.  Drain and keep it aside. Soak soya chunks in hot water for 15 minutes. it will turn soft squeeze  it nicely to remove the water. repeat the process again for two times by washing it in normal water to ensure to remove the stinky smell or flavor . cut each chunk to two pieces, This will help the chunks to absorb all masalas well. 

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Add whole spices first and sliced onion and green chilly too. Saute well and add ginger garlic paste too. Once the onion is translucent add chopped tomatoes and saute well. Fry until tomatoes become soft, Keep the flame on low. Now add coriander chilly, pepper and turmeric powder. Add chopped coriander and mint leaves too. fry it for 2-3 minutes. Add drained soya chunks and curd. mix well, Add Rice too sauté for two minutes and pour water and salt. Cover with a lid. Once its boiled simmer the flame for five minutes and switch it off. Let it remain undisturbed for half an hour. Once you Open the lid after half an hour it will be done. Serve it hot with raita.

Keep the proportion rice and water as 1:2. Also make sure you soak the rice for twenty minutes before cooking. Soak soya in hot water for twenty minutes,