Indian · serves 2

Veg Biryani

All the ceremony of biryani without the chicken.

55 min A proper cook Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 2 cups basmati, soaked 30 min
  • 3 cups mixed vegetables
  • 3 onions, sliced
  • 1 cup curd
  • 2 tbsp biryani masala
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • Mint + coriander, a big handful
  • Whole spices
  • Saffron in warm milk
  • 5 tbsp ghee

Method

  1. Fry onions in ghee till dark golden. Keep half aside for layering.
  2. Ginger-garlic, vegetables, curd, biryani masala, salt. Cook 10 minutes till thick.
  3. Separately, boil the rice in lots of salted water with whole spices until 70% done — it should still have a hard centre. Drain.
  4. Layer: vegetables, then rice, then fried onions, mint, coriander, saffron milk, ghee.
  5. Cover tight, high 4 minutes, then lowest flame 20 minutes.
  6. Rest 10 minutes. Fold from the bottom. Raita.

Questions people ask about Veg Biryani

How long does Veg Biryani take?

About 55 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of rice in Veg Biryani?

Use any long-grain rice. Basmati needs less water than most, so check the packet before following the ratio here.

Can I make Veg Biryani ahead of time?

Yes, and it is better for it. Cool it fully, refrigerate for up to three days, and reheat gently with a splash of water. The flavours settle overnight.

Is Veg Biryani vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

What do you serve with Veg Biryani?

Roti or plain rice, with something sharp on the side: curd, pickle or sliced onion. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

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