Vegetarian Briyani

Alternating layers of basmati rice and a spicy mix of cauliflower, yoghurt, carrots, green beans, potatoes, soybeans are cooked together.

Ingredients

1. 4 cups basmati rice
2. 4 cardamon
3. 2 cloves
4. 1 cinnamon stick
5. 1 1/2 tablespoon briyani spices mix (easily available in grocery stores)
6. 5 onions, finely sliced
7. 5 potatoes, cut into quarters
8. 3 large carrots, cut lenghtwise
9. 1 cup soya
10. 1 cup green peas
11. 2 cups green beans, cut lengthwise
12. 1 tablespoon ginger paste
13. 1 tablespoon garlic paste
14. 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
15. 1/2 cup finely chopped mint
16. 1 cup finely chopped coriander leaves
17. 1/2 teaspoon orange food color
18. 1 teaspoon ghee (clarified butter)
19. Oil for frying
20. Water
21. Salt

Instructions

For the rice

1. Wash rice and soak in water for 30 minutes
2. Bring water to boil in a pot and as it starts boiling add 4 cardamon, 2 cloves and the cinnamon stick
3. Add the rice and a little salt
4. Cook until 3/4 done

For the vegetables

1. Season the carrots, green beans, cauliflower, soya with salt separately
2. For the potatoes while seasoning with salt add a pinch of food color
3. Heat oil in a frying pan
4. First fry the onions, as they turn to a light golden color remove and put aside
5. Then fry the potatoes, cook till they turn to a light golden color, remove and put aside
6. Similarly fry the soya and as they turn to a light brown color, remove and put aside
7. Fry the cauliflower for 3-5 minutes, remove and put aside
8. In the same pan fry the carrots for 3-5 minutes, remove and put aside
9. Fry the green beans for 3-5 minutes, remove and put aside

For the final assembly

1. In a large bowl, combine all the vegetables i.e potatoes, carrots, green beans, cauliflower and soya
2. Add ginger, garlic paste, yogurt, half of the fried onions, briyani spices and salt
3. Mix well
4. Use an oven proof large utensil that has a cover to assemble the briyani
5. Add 1 teaspoon ghee at the bottom of the utensil
6. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of orange food color with some water
7. First start with a layer of rice, then add a layer of half of the mixed vegetables, sprinkle with some food color then add a little fried onion, peas chopped coriander and mint leaves
8. Add a last layer of the rice, some peas, fried onions, food color, chopped coriander and mint leaves
9. Add some water in the bowl which was previously used to mix the vegetables
10. With the help of a spoon make some holes in the utensil at different places and pour some of the water
11. Put the lid and cook in a preheated oven on 350^◦F for 30 minutes
12. To serve the briyani, remove the layers little by little in a separate bowl
13. Mix well by taking extra care not to mash vegetables