Soya Chunk Vegetable Biryani

Ingredients

Group I

• Basmathi rice - 1 1/2 cups(160 g each cup)
• Soya chunks - 20 nos
• Mixed vegetable - 2 cups ( beans, carrot, peas, cauliflower)
• Tomato - 1 big size (Chopped)
• Onion - 1 big size (Chopped)
• Curry leaves - 1 string
• Green chilies - 2 (slitted)
• Chilly powder - 1 tsp (adjust)
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Coconut milk - 1 1/2 cup 
• Lemon Juice - few drops
• Fried cashew - 1 tbsp
• Oil - 5 tbsp
• Salt to taste

Dry masala - Group II

• Cinnamon - 2 pieces(1 inch each)
• Cloves - 4
• Cardamom - 2
• Ani seed - 1/2 tsp
• Black cardamom (optional) - 1 (crushed)
• Bay leaves - 2

To grind (to smooth paste) Group III

• Ginger - 1 inch
• Garlic - 2
• Ani seeds - 2 tsp
• Cloves - 2
• Cinnamon - 3/4 inch
• Cardamom - 2
• Mint - handfull
• Green chillies - 2

Method

• Soak the rice for 1/2 an hour.
• Soak the soya chunks in the hot water for 30 minutes.
• Then run cold water & squeeze it. Keep it aside.
• Heat oil in pressure pan, on high medium flame.
• Splutter the dry masalas & curry leaves, green chillies one by one.
• Add onions and fry till it becomes light brown in color.
• Add the chopped tomatoes & continue frying till it becomes mashy.
• Now add the grinded masala & fry well till the oil separates.
• Now add chilly powder, turmeric powder & salt.
• Now add the vegetables & soya chunks.
• Fry for 2 minutes.
• Now add the soaked rice to the masala & mix well.
• Add 1 1/2 cups of coconut milk & 1 1/2 cups of water to the rice.
• Mix well & add few drops of lemon juice.
• Check for salt & cover the cooker when water starts bubbling.
• Simmer the flame & do not let the cooker to whistle.
• Let it cook for 15 minutes.
• Switch off the flame & wait for 5 - 10 minutes.
• Then open the cooker & mix gently.
• Garnish it with fried cashews.
• Serve it with raita.

Tips for the recipe - Little curd (1 tbsp) can also be added for softness of the rice grains. Use fork to mix the biryani(cooked rice grains). Fried raisin can also be added with cashews, while garnishing the biryani.