VEG DUM BIRYANI

INGREDIENTS:

Basmati Rice--------------------------3 cups

Vegetables ---------------------------Carrots,Beans,Peas,Capscicum, or any other of ur choice

Onion---------------------------------1 big one+ 1 medium one

Tomato-------------------------------1 big and ripe

Green chillies--------------------------3-4

Parampara Veg biryani masala--------3 tbp or any other that you prefer.

Green onions--------------------------1 big bunch chopped finely

Mint leaves----------------------------1/2 cup tightly packed

Star Anise-----------------------------2

Cardommon ---------------------------4

Cinnamon stick------------------------1-1/2" piece

Bayleaf,Fennel seeds powder----------1/4 tsp each

Cloves---------------------------------4

Lemon juice---------------------------1/4 cup

Thick Yogurt--------------------------2 tbp

Cumin powder------------------------1 tsp

Turmeric-----------------------------1/2 tsp

Ginger-garlic paste-------------------1-1/2tbp

Shahjeera,mustard seeds-----------------1/2 tsp each

Orange food color-------------------- Optional

Salt-----------------------------------to taste

Oil------------------------------------as required

DIRECTIONS:

1.Wash and soak rice for 15-20 minutes prior to cooking.Cook the rice alone pouring sufficient water till done and set aside.

2.Freshly chop the veggies of ur choice and slightly fry them till 1/2 done in little oil and set aside.

3.Slice both the big sized ,medium sized onion very finely and fry them seperately in some oil till they tun really dark brown and slightly thin /crisp.This step is a must in any biryani.

4.Take them seperately into two different plates,(ie as the big ones are going into the cooked rice and medium one to be the paste) and let them cool.After cooling grind the medium onion fried slices to a paste without any water.

5.Now heat a wide pan with oil,add mustard seeds ,cumin seeds,cloves,cinnamon sticks ,cardommon,star anise.

6.After a minute add green chillies,ginger-garlic paste and fry well.

7.Now microwave a big slit tomato in some water for 5-7 mins till half soft and then peel off the skin, chop very finely.

8.Add these tomato pieces to them and fry till nicely done.Then addmint leaves, all the powders,slightly fried veggies,some water,salt and cook for 5 mins on medium.You should be able to guess how much water it requires for a nice thick gravy ,to be able to mix with the cooked rice.

9.Turn off and wait till cooled down and add yougurt to it and mix well.

10.Take the cooked rice in wide aluminium baking tray and add 2 tsp of ghee for a really nice flavor.

11.Then add on the required gravy to the rice and mix well till nicely incorporated.Taste it and add some more of the gravy if less spicy along with rquired amount of salt.Mix well.

12.Add on the chopped green onions to rice and place in pre-heated oven for 30-40 mins at 375degree mixing once in a while.

13.After properly baking add the lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves.

14.Can have it as it is or with raita.......