Waiting for my son to sleep, Im able to post this especially to those specially requested this recipe. Enjoy!
Rice :
Basmathi Rice - 1 1/2 cup
Lemongrass - 2 bruised
Ginger - 1 inch chopped
Salt
Water
Preparation Method:
Wash and soak the basmathi rice in water for 30 minutes. Then boil the water in a heavy bottom vessel. Add soaked rice, bruised lemongrass, ginger and salt. Let it boil to half cook. If you dont prefer lemongrass and ginger it shouldn't be any problem. They just give some flavor and aroma. Once the rice half cooked, drain the rice and keep aside.
Masala :
Spices for tempering :
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp Ghee
1 inch cinnamon
3 cloves
1 star anise
3 cardamom
Ground Spice :
2 green chillies
1 tbsp grated coconut
handful mint leaves
handful coriander leaves
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp blackpepper
Others :
Onion - 1 sliced
Ginger -Garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Biryani masala - 1 tbsp
Chili powder - 1 tsp
Garam masla - 1 tsp
Plain yogurt - 1/4 cup
Mix vegetables - 1 cup (cauliflower, peas, carrot, potato)
Salt
Garnish:
1 - Onion sliced
1 tbsp - Cashew nuts
1 tbsp - mint leaves chopped
1 tbsp- coriander leaves chopped
Preparation Method :
Heat ghee in a pan. Add spices for tempering. let the aroma fills your nose. Then add the sliced onions. Saute till transluscent. Add ginger garlic paste. Stir again for the raw smell goes. Now add the mix vegetables. Reduce your flame. Cover your pan. Let the vegetable cook for 5 minutes with covered.
Remove your cover. Add in ground paste and chili powder. Continue to mix well. Add the plain yogurt. Mix well. Taste your saltiness by adding adequate amount of salt. Check whether your potato is cooked or not. Easy way to let the vegetable cooked fast, always chopped your veggies into small chunks. Now sprinkle garam masala and biryani masala. Mix to coat well. If the vegetable masala cooked. Turn off the flame.
Garnish:
Fry the onion and cashews and keep aside.
Now its layering time:
First take any pot, either earthern ware or pressure cooker, atake 1 tsp of ghee and smear the pot. Add first layer of rice followed by the vet\getable masala. Sprinkle some garam masala and chopped mint and coriander leaves. Add another layer of rice and gravy. Close lid tightly so that the aroma from earthern ware can penetrate into the food. Cook in low flame for 15 minutes on stove top. let it stand for 5 minutes. Now its time to serve with garnish. In this recipe I did not use any food cocloring. its up tou if you wanted to.
Serve with papadam, cucumer raita and appalam. Have a try!
