Vegetable Biriyani (No onion No garlic)

Can Biriyani prepared without Onion and Garlic?

Well, yes!! Here is a recipe for all my sAtvik friends who love Biriyani but at the same time have a desire to avoid Onion and Garlic. And what's more, you don't need Basmati rice too! This can well be prepared with normal Sona Masuri rice, and the taste will be just as good to envy those tantalizing hotel counterparts!! scroll down and enjoy :-)

Ingredients:

Cooked Rice (Sona Masuri) - 3/4 cup

Ginger Paste - 1 tsp

Curd / Yoghurt - 2 tbsp

Red Chilli Powder* - 1/2 tbsp

Biriyani Masala Powder* - 1/2 tbsp

Salt - 1 tbsp

Vegetables - 2 cups (Carrot, Beans, Peas, Cabbage, Capsicum , Potato - Chopped bite size)

Oil - 1 tbsp 

Cumin seeds (Jeera) - 1/4 tsp

Green chilli - 1 (Optional)

Cinnamon (Dalchini) - 1 inch

Cloves - 2

Bay leaves - 2

*Note: If you want more spicy then increase to 1 tbsp.

Procedure:

1. In a thick bottom on medium heat add oil.
2. When the oil is hot add Cumin seeds, Cinnamon, Cloves, Bay leaves,Ginger paste.
3. When the spices are are little fried and start giving out the pleasant aroma, add all the chopped vegetables and sprinkle some water and close the lid. You can also use boiled vegetables directly. But I personally feel cooking the vegetables with oil fried spices on pan enhances the taste!
4. In a bowl add curd, red chilli powder, Biriyani Masala and mix well.
5. When vegetables are fully cooked add the curd mixture and mix well. Add salt.
6. Sprinkle little water to avoid vegetables and curd mixture sticking to the pan while mixing if necessary.
7. After mixing thoroughly add rice and mix well.
8. Sprinkle some more water, close the lid and allow to cook for 5 mins.
9. Turn off the heat and take the pan off the stove.
10. Finally sprinkle some coriander leaves to garnish and your delicious Biriyani is ready to serve!
11. Now, the Biriyani can not be served without a Raita.