Vegetable biryani (Aalo matar biryani)

Rice is one of the most popular foods eaten by most of us. It is also an important staple dish that is widely consumed in Asia. It is extremely nutritious food and an important healthy diet that contains more than 15 vitamins & minerals. It has been estimated that world's half population live wholly or partially on rice, where 90% of the world's crop is grown & used in Asia. It can be used to cook both as Savory & Sweet. Some of the dishes that are made of rice, and I have discussed are:

Carrot Kheer/Pudding

Mutton Pilau

Mutton Biryani

Singaporean Rice

Boiled Rice with Gram Lentil

Biryani is a dish in which rice are half boiled separately and curry is cooked separately and then put in layers and cooked on dum (Slow process of cooking over a very slow flame). There are many types of biryani like, Vegetable, chicken, mutton, Hyderabadi, mughlai, fish biryani etc.

Vegetable Biryani is a rich, aromatic & exotic dish with spicy veggies. It is my all time favorite. It is one of the best savory dishes in my kitchen, esp when feeling like eating something different from the normal routine meal etc. It's a complete balanced dish that can be eaten alone or accompanied with raita. It is a versatile dish that can give way to a lot of space for your own innovation. There is no fixed rule to prepare this dish. You can use as many vegetables u wish, either one or more. Spices can be adjusted acc to your taste. This dish is truly a wonder dish with the natural earthy flavors of vegetables that makes the dish wonderful & luscious. Here goes its recipe:

Ingredients:

Rice                                                    1 glass (soaked in water for 20-30 min)

Onions                                                1 big (sliced)

Tomato                                               2 (chopped)

Oil                                                       1 wooden spoon (doi)

Green Chilli                                         2 (chopped)

Red Chilli powder                               1 tsp.           

Turmeric Powder                                1 tsp.

Black Pepper                                       ½ tsp.

Red Chilli Flakes                                1/4 tsp

Garlic Paste                                        1/2 tsp.

Ginger Paste                                       1/2 tsp.

Salt                                                     Acc to taste

Cumin Powder (Zeera)                       1 tbsp.

Coriander Powder                              1 tbsp.

Maythi (Fenugreek) seeds                  Few (Optional)
Black Pepper whole                            4-5
Cinnamon sticks (daar cheeni)            2-3
Clove (Long)                                       4-5      

Dried Plum (Aalo bukhara)                 3-4 (optional)
Peas                                                     1 cup
Potatoes                                               2-3

Yogurt                                                 4 tbsp.

Orange food color                               Pinch in water

Procedure:

Heat oil, and add the fenugreek seeds, followed by the chopped onions. Fry until onions are golden brown. 

Then add garlic and ginger paste, green chilies and the chopped tomatoes, followed by all other spices. Fry for few minutes. 

Add cubed and peeled potatoes and peas. Fry this for few minutes. 

Add some water and then keep the lid covered until peas & potatoes are well cooked and oil separates. Set aside.

On the other hand boil 10-12 glasses of water, add some oil (it helps rice not to stick together) and salt (acc to taste) and then add soaked rice. Wait until rice are about to boil (and not fully boiled). Drain.

In a greased pan, spread rice and then mixture of peas (Taheeri) layer by layer and sprinkle the color on top and keep the lid covered for 10 minutes. And aalo matar biryani (or Taheeri) is readyyyyy!! yummyyy! Gently mix the rice and serve with raita, salad and Shami kabab :) Enjoyyyy... sssss... :P 

Some of the dishes that are made of rice, and I have discussed are:

Carrot Kheer/Pudding

Mutton Pilau

Mutton Biryani

Singaporean Rice

Boiled Rice with Gram Lentil

Linking it to Poornimas page and Gayathris event, Rice Up with Sweet or Spices, Cooking with Seeds (Rice) Event n Priya’s Versatile Recipes, Eat vegetables & Stay healthy & Just eat