Vegetable Biryani/Pulao

One of the fanciest and most exotic rice preparations with rice is the oh-so flavorful and aromatic Biryani. Behtareen means “Perfect” in Urdu and Hindi. I have never really attempted a Biryani in the past, but inspiration got the better of me last month and I did attempt it and it turned out fabulous – Felt a huge sense of achievement that I managed to make something which we order rather longingly in a restaurant right here in my kitchen!! I was also happy in the knowledge that i used the healthiest and best ingredients to make it.

I was going to make a dhum biryani – the kind you get at Cream Centre for those of you familiar with that restaurant chain in India. I did not make the atta- chappati covering to cook it, but instead used my rice cooker. But I layered it the same way and the more it stayed the better it tasted. The house was filled with the warm spell of spices and the naturally aromatic basmati.

Here is my version of this exotic rice preparation

The pictures are pretty self-explanatory and the masala for biryani has been approached in different ways depending on what tastes you prefer to be more predominant.

NOTE: The ONE ingredient I did not photograph since I added it last is coconut – 1/4 cup of grated coconut for the masala.

For the Masala

Use 1/2 to 1 tsp of Suvaiyana Pulao Mix

The veggies, Paneer, (Raisins & Almonds) for sauteing
Peas, Beans,Carrots, Onions, Cauliflower, & Paneer. Saute and cook with olive oil/butter and salt – I added a 2 tsp of curry powder to cook the veggies –
Saute Paneer with 1 tsp of curry powder
Next, saute rice with butter and add the masala paste to it along with salt. Cook in rice cooker

Secret Ingredient 4-5 strands crushed lightly – Saffron – Zafrani (cook with the rice)

Once the rice is cooked, layer veggies and rice finishing preferably with rice layer on top. Once you serve it can be mixed up on the plate or in the copper vessel that I have presented it in. Enjoy HOT with raita & pappad.

Ta-Dah!

30 Comments

Kitchen Flavours on March 22, 2012 at 6:36 pm

Really behtareen biryani….love the flavoursome recipe….

Shobha on March 22, 2012 at 7:29 pm

Love the name "Behtareen Biriyani'
What can be more behtareen than this yummy dish made with all exotic spices.

Az on March 22, 2012 at 7:45 pm

Looks perfect and yummy!

Rasi on March 22, 2012 at 9:32 pm

looks perfect.. getting a perfect biryani is always a high

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Recetario Spanglish para mis hijos on March 22, 2012 at 9:37 pm

It looks exquisite! Priya, please come and see my exotic rice in my post today. Saludos!

Srimathi on March 22, 2012 at 10:15 pm

A good post. Will try your technique in layering.

Hema on March 22, 2012 at 10:23 pm

Now, I've got to have some, superb and nicely explained..

Pari on March 23, 2012 at 4:28 am

Nothing to beat a hommade Biryani, I'm glad you succeeded with your experiment, looks danedaar and yummy.

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Gauri Trivedi on March 23, 2012 at 5:43 am

Welcome back Priya..u were missed…the Biryani looks delicious..

Archana on March 23, 2012 at 7:13 am

Looks so delicious and yummy. Want to eat some right now. Happy Ugadi to you.

sojo on March 23, 2012 at 7:29 am

wow…. just WOWWWW!!!!!cant think of anything else… loooks lovely

Alpana on March 23, 2012 at 5:11 pm

Really looks Behtarein Priya……making me feel hungry.

maha on March 23, 2012 at 5:26 pm

this looks really delicious n very new also….loved it….
Maha

Kalpana Sareesh on March 23, 2012 at 5:55 pm

wonderful biriyani!!

Sayantani on March 23, 2012 at 8:22 pm

love this biryani…well made and flavourful.

The Yogi Vegetarian on March 23, 2012 at 9:27 pm

You just inspired me… I've nevevr attempted biryani before, but I'll bookmark this to try out!

faseela on March 24, 2012 at 12:23 pm

yummy n superb biriyani

manjooo on March 25, 2012 at 5:31 am

soo yummm

Sensible Vegetarian on March 26, 2012 at 2:43 am

Looks super delicious.

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kala on March 27, 2012 at 11:48 pm

This biryani looks absoluely deliciousss!!!!!!!!!!!

Plateful on March 28, 2012 at 9:04 am

Oh yes pls! Biryani is my all time fave, and did you just say behtareen..?!!

Suchi on March 28, 2012 at 10:06 am

Yummu biriyani…love your title

Jay on March 31, 2012 at 10:33 am

lipsmacking dear..;)

Tasty Appetite

kyleen on April 2, 2012 at 12:18 am

Mhmm I love flavoured rice. Usually I eat it plain with other dishes. This behtareen biriyani looks like something that could definitely stand on its own. Yum!

shooting star on April 3, 2012 at 4:59 am

the way you have written this post is very lucid….

the pics help a lot in understanding the whole recipe!!

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Priya Sreeram on April 3, 2012 at 6:40 am

looks lajawab; loved the ingredients for the masala in it !

Julie on April 3, 2012 at 9:32 pm

Delicious biriyani….yummy yum !!

Archana on April 6, 2012 at 11:27 am

Looks so yummy Priya. Love it.

R.Ramakrishnan on April 6, 2012 at 6:20 pm

Great looking biryani

Laavanya on April 9, 2012 at 7:02 pm

That biryani looks so perfect.. I am always awed by layered biryanis.

Vegetable Biryani/Pulao

30 Comments

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