Vegetable Biryani

BIRYANI, the name itself tells us that its something rich and flavourful and exotic and aromatic and tradional and.....
It was long time i thought of trying it out, but was afraid of the last step, cooking on low flame(as i don't have oven) and burning it, BUT the crispy bottom ,which was the result of slow cooking, made me make it again and again after that...
Biryani was introduced in Indian via Mughal cuisine. The word Biryani is derived from the Persian word beryā(n) (بریان) which means "fried" or "roasted". Traditionally, biryani is layered in a heavy pot and heated through until the rice at the bottom becomes crispy and delicious And the flavour of all the spices penetrates into each n every grain of rice. Its not very easy to cook biryani, as firstly it do requires a whole lot of ingredients (each and every is important for the flavour it gives) and takes time to cook, but the final result is simply awesome.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup basmati Rice
100 grams carrots
100 grams cauliflower
100 grams potato
More Veggie, like peas or beans
50 grams paneer
15 grams cashewnuts
15 grams Raisins
250 grams curds
40 grams fried onions
1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
3 green chilli
1 tsp kala jeera
40 gms mint leaves
40 gms Coriander leaves
5- 6 tbsp oil
A pinch of Saffron(soaked in milk)
1 tsp whole garam masala
1 tbsp hydrebadi biryani masala
Salt to taste

Method:

First wash and soak the rice for atleast 20 minutes. Boil water and cook the rice in open pan(with lots of water), and drain the water when its only 70% cooked.

Chop all the veggies into big pieces lengthwise.

Take a wide bottomed pan, add oil,then whole garam masala,saute it. Then add zeera,ginger garlic paste, vegetables and mix well and finally add salt. Cook on medium high flame till they are only half done.

Now add mint,coriander,chopped green chillies,biryani masala, half cup of curd and then add paneer.


Next take a biryani bowl (or a baking dish), layer half of the cooked vegetables and spread all over, add some more curd, mixed nuts (optional), salt, fried onions.Next layer half rice, repeat the same process again.

Finally pour the saffron mixture over it and sprinkle the remaining fried onions and coriander leaves. Cover with tight lid or foil, and either bake on a preheated oven for about 20-30 mins or even can cook on stove top on low flame covered for 10-20 minutes.

Serve hot with raita or any vegetable curry.

Notes:
Whole garam masala: Can use ready mix or 2 inch cinnamon stick, 4 cardamom , 4 cloves, 2-3 bay leaves ,1 star arsine.
I didn't preferred deep fried onions , so before adding veggies added 2 sliced onions and cooked till done.

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Sending this to JFI:Mint at Ashwini's place started by Mahanandi

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Tangy Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji is one the most famous street food , savoured in all parts of india. Basically its a fast food dish native to maharashtra.

And which is the best Pav-Bhaji? Its the one where pav bhaji wala bhaiya is there, with his huge cast-iron pan in front of him. And all around are bowls of chopped veggies and an alarming number of packets of Amul butter, and Masala'a .Whatever is the order, he 'll put appropiate amount of veggies, boiled potatoes, loads of buttere, n all the masala's and then mash , and saute it to give a sizzle and fill the place with heavenly aroma. Then serve it with pav, roasted in again loads of butter and raw onions and lemon pieces.
Its done and it goes into the tummy melting in the mouth...

Now, there's no comparision for that Pav Bhaji, but quite a aroma and taste can also be reached at home. Try this.. (I know that the picture is not all duing justice to the yummy bhaji, but that much only i could do manage with the saved portion..)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped cauliflower,
1/2 cup chopped french beans,
1/2 cup green peas,
1 cup finely chopped capsicum (green peppers),
1/2 cup finely chopped carrots,
4 potatoes,
4 medium sized tomatoes,
3 medium sized finely chopped onions,
3 tbsp Pav bhaaji masala(Everest reccomnded),
4 5 green chillies,
4-5 garlic cloves,
1 inch ginger,
1 teaspoon cumin seeds (optional),
chopped coriander leaves,
salt to taste

Pav (a kind of bun)
1 pack salted butter (Amul butter is recommended)

Method:

Boil potatoes and mash them.Set aside.
Boil all the finely chopped vegetables separately.
Mash the boiled vegetables to form a coarse pulp using Pav bahji masher.

In a pan, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add cumin seeds (optional), finely chopped ginger, garlic and green chillies.
Then add 2 chopped onions, sauté till transulent and then add chopped tomatoes and cook till done.
Add the pav bhaaji masala and mix. Let it cook.
Now add mashed potatoes and add boiled vegetables.
Lastly add some butter again(it gives a nice aroma).
Finally add salt to taste.
Add water as required.
Cook till the bhaaji thickens.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Next give slits to the buns horizontally, i.e, keeping the base intact. On a hot griddle, melt butter. Arrange all the buns on the pan. Roast both the sides as well as the inner surfaces of buns with butter, pressing it slightly.

Serve these buns(pav) and hot bhaaji with chopped onions and a piece of lemon.

Tips:

Choose proper buns, do not buy the sweet ones or can have burger instead.
Use butter generously while making pav bhaaji.
Light roast the buns. Let them remain buttery and soft.
You can use any veggies of your choice.

Variations:

For an even spicier result, make masala pav...melt some butter in a skillet. Sprinkle pav bhaji masala in it, then fry the bread in this spicy butter until sizzling and golden.
Masala onion: Heat some butter, add a pinch of pav bhaaji masala and salt. Put the chopped onions, lemon juice and mix. Serve this masala onion with pav bhaaji.

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Sending this to WYF:Quick meal
And also to Sunday snacks: Chaats, at All Thingz Yummy!!

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Bhel puri

Chaat is something that is loved by all. And now being away from India, we carve for them a lot more. So this very simple chat, Bhel Puri has become one of the most loved evening snack in our house. Its so flexible in its ingredients, that it can be enjoyed anytime, with whatall available in the kitchen(only puffed rice should be there) . Apart from Bhel popular Chaat's that we we relish are Aloo Tikkis (garnished with onion, coriander, hot spices and a dash of curd), bhel puri, dahi puri, panipuri, dahi vada, papdi chaat, and sev puri. Bhel puri is a a puffed rice dish with potatoes and a tangy tamarind sauce. It is prepared across India, and is known by different names ,Churu Muri in Bangalore or Jhaal Muri in Kolkata.

Ingredients:

4 5 flat crispy puris
200 gms puffed rice (kurmura / murmura/ murrah),
3 tbsp plain sev (thin one),
1 teaspoon chilli powder,
1 potatoes (boiled),
1 big red onion,
1 tomato
1 small bunch coriander leaves,
2 3 green chillies,
Lemon juice or raw mango (optional),
1/4 cup any spicy mixture,
2 tsp cumin powder,
salt to taste

Sweet tamarind chutney
Green chutney



Method:

Prepare the green and sweet chutneys.
Chop onion, potato, tomato and raw mango finely. Chop coriander leaves and green chillies. Set aside.
Mix together puffed rice and sev, salt and chili powder ,cumin powder and the mixture. I usually use Haldiram's 'Navratan' or 'Mixture' one, but can use any.
Before serving, mix chutneys to taste, chopped veggies and the murmura in a bowl.
To serve, put some bhel in individual plates, top with some more sev and chutneys (if desired) n serve immediately with crispy puris.

Tips:
There's no hard n fast rule for making Bhel's. If u don't have chutneys, you can skip them.
Can also add grated coconut or Musturd oil, to give it a unique flavour.

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Sending this to Sunday snacks: Chaat, along with pani puri at All Thingz Yummy!!
And also to 15 minutes cooking @spices etc

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FIC:Red & Green, Roundup

Finally here comes the colorful roundup of last month's FIC: Red + Green. I was a bit doubtful while announcing the theme, but was overwhelmed with the response. So finally it wasn't atall tricky.. :) I'm glad.... Viewing all the red n green recipes pouring in was a soothing experience to my eyes.., Now you all also do feast your eyes and keep drooling(as i was ,while drafting this roundup)....

1. Kadai Paneer by pooja of SaiKitchen
2. Chillas with Gram Flour by Parita of Parita's kitchen
3.Vegetable fried rice by Kalva of Curry In Kadai
4. Stuffed Capsicum Rolls by Rashmi of Food-o-Rama
5.Creamy Broccoli Soup by Varsha VIpins of Will-O'-the-Wisp
6. Salad Decoration by Malini of Khana Khazana with Malini
7. Salad Decoration by Malini of Khana Khazana with Malini
8.Arai Keerai Kootu by Kayal of Kayal's Kitchen
9. Tawa Vegetables by EC of Simple Indian food
10.Mavadu / Tender mango pickle by Vidhas of Appetizing recipes
11.Red and Green Bell Peppers Korma by Asha of Foodieshope.
12.Potato Beetroot cutlet and Coriander chutney by Ashwini Kamath of Konkani Foodie
13.Tomato N Cucumber Salad by Priyasuresh of Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes
14.French Beans N Red-Bellpepper Rice by Priyasuresh of Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes
15.Tou Manchurian by Priyasuresh of Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes
16.Brown rice pilaf by Food Fanatic
17.Stuffed Capsicum in a Spicy Gravy by Srilakshmi of Annapurna
18.Strawberry Pistachio Pudding by Usha Rao of MySpicyKitchen
19. Navratan Korma by Malini of Khana Khazana with Malini
20. Grilled Capsicum and Tomato Salad by Malini of Khana Khazana with Malini
21. Roasted Capsicum Salad by Malini of Khana Khazana with Malini
22.Aval Uppuma by Sumy Sunil
23. Carrot Chutney by Sumy Sunil
24.Bittergourd Stir Fry by Deepika of Less Sugar,Please...For a Sweeter Life
25.Tomato Onion Gojju by Sushma of Savi-Ruchi
26.Clean-up-the-fridge Quiche by Bee and Jai of Jugalbandi
27.Radish, Peas and Bell Peppers Sauteed by Deepa Hari of Simple Home Cooking
28.Brocolli Capsicum Pepper stir fry by Rekha of plantainleaf
29.Snow Peas with Peppers by Tigerfish of teczcape-an escape to food
30.Pasta (Desi-style) by Aruna Chundi of The Temptations
31.Spicy Thai noodles by Manjusha of Inspired Cooking
32.Moong Dal chillas with twist of Bell Peppers by Parita of Parita's Kitchen

33.Spinach Tomato Sauce by Lakshmi of Lakshmiskitchen
34.Veg noodles by Sree of Tastespell
35. Green Almonds in Cucumber Gelée from Alinea by Jude of Apple Pie, Patis, and Pâté
36.Focaccia bread sandwich by Chaitra of Aathidhyam
37.Green Peas in Tomato Gravy by Valarmathi of Simple and Yummy Recipes
38.Indian Style Spaghetti Pasta with Olive Oil by Parita of Parita's Kitchen
39.Spicy Crackers by Raaga of The Singing Chef
40.Mushroom Peas Masala by Raaga of The Singing Chef
41. Jewel Salad by Soma of eCurry
42.Maavadu/Vadu Maanga by Shoba Shrinivasan of Anubhavati
43.Cilantro-Chickpea Fritters by Uma of Essence of Andhra
44.Instant Mango Thokku (Pickle) by Vidya of Delectable Vegetarian Recipes
45.Spinach with corn by Preeti of Khaugiri
46. Green Moong-Tomato kachumber by Indrani of Appyayan
47.Spicy Tomato Pickle by Oriya Food of Home Cooked Oriya Food
48.Green Beans Foogath by Meera of Enjoyindianfood
49.Vegetarian 'Pizza Capricciosa' by Graziana of 'Erbe in Cucina' (Cooking with herbs).
50.Thai fried rice by Archy of Archy's Recipe Book
51.Cilantro lime vinaigrette & fruity salad by Cham of Spiceclub
52.Spinach Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce by Priti of Indian Khana
53.Tomato-Lettuce Salad by Prathibha of The Chef and Her Kitchen
54.Mushroom Manchurian by Sia of Monsoon Spice
55.Stuffed Tomatoes by Malini of Khana Khazana with Malini
56.Spicy Tomato Rice by Lubna Karim of Yummy Food
57.Cucumber tomato salad by notyet100 of asankhana
58.Pesto Margherita Pizza by A&N of Delectably Yours
59.Thai Vegan Curry by Maya of KonkanWorld
60.Mozzarella Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Avocado Salad by Muneeba of An Edible Symphony
61.Capsicum Tomato Masala by Padma of Padma's Recipes
62.Watermelon and Feta Salad with Cucumber and Mint by Emiglia of Tomato Kumato
63.Healthy Bhel Salad by Few Minute Wonders
64.Keerai kootu by Kalpana of messycooks
65.Stuffed capsicums by Neha of Tasty Recipes

Phew..., Really a lot of them...I tried not to miss any entry, or do any error, but if there's any ,do tell me ,so as i can correct it... Thanx you all for yours participation...

Also do check out MBP: Mango masti going in this blog....

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Announcing MBP

Now here comes the theme for this month's Monthly blog Patrol MBP: Mango Masti.. Its May,and its so hot this year, so i thought that's its best to have some mango masti to relieve this scorching heat. MBP is the brain child of Coffee of Spice Cafe and i'm glad that she gave me a chance to be a guest host this month. Mangoes, the “divine national fruit” of India, are delicious fresh or pickled, and are perfect for refreshing summer time beverages or desserts.

So all you need is to cook something from fellow bloggers, containing the king of Fruits, Mango, raw or ripe. It could be anything from a starter, main course, side dish drinks or a dessert - anything as long as it has MANGO.

Some simple guidelines for the event :

1. Based on this month's theme, i.e, MANGO, you have to cook something from the fellow bloggers (the “from” has to be a blogger and not any other cooking site!!) posted recipes.Prepare any recipe using Mango as its one of the ingredient and post about it on your blog by 31st May 2009

2. Post a pic of the final recipe on your blog linking it to the blogger (whose recipe you made) , Coffee’s MBP event page and this announcement. Whether to make it a post or no, is entirely your choice. You can just put a final pic or put step by step pics or if you have made any variations you might want to highlight that or post the whole recipe. Its entirely upto you. But one final pic and a link to the origional recipe is a must.

3. Any number of entries are welcome as long as the posts are done in the month of May. That is 1st May to 31st May. Reposting from archives is also welcomed.

4. The food item should be vegetarian which may contain eggs.

5. Send the following details to neha.agrawal.2610(at)gmail(dot)com with MBP: Mango Masti, as its subject line

Your Name
Blog name
Recipe Name
Recipe URL of ur post
Recipe URL of original post
A Photo of of final dish

6. The use of logo is optional, if you use good, if not then also good.:)

7. If you are a non-blogger and you wish to participate, send in the above details with the recipe. I will post them in the round up.


The last date is 31st May, end of May. Coming soon is the roundup of FIC , do check out...

UPDATE:(7th May) I think there's some cofusion abt MBP, The dish has to be from other bloggers blog. I did updated the post a bit too to highlight the point. Thanx, waiting for the entries..

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