Tahiri: Awadhi Biryani For Vegetarians!

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Tahiri is a special treat for vegetarians who complain that there is no biryani for them. The concept of a vegetarian biryani is usually considered redundant. Biryani is rice and meat cooked together in layers. But tahiri is not a meat-less biryani. In fact, this Awadhi recipe is to prepare a biryani specially for vegetarians.

Like most other Awadhi recipes, Tahiri has a soft incense of aromatic spices. This Indian rice recipe is not only easy to make but also very quick. In fact, Tahiri is almost prepared like khichdi but without the dal.

Serves: 4

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients For Rice Layer

• Bay leaves- 2
• Cumin seeds- 1tsp
• Cardamom- 2
• Cloves- 4
• Peppercorns- 5
• Cinnamon stick- 1 inch
• Green chillies- 2 (chopped)
• Ginger- 1 inch (minced)
• Ghee- 1tbsp
• Basmati Rice- 2 cups
• Saffron- 1 pinch
• Milk- 2tbsp
• Salt- as per taste

Ingredients For Vegetable Layer

• Cardamom pods- 2
• Cloves- 2
• Peppercorns- 5
• Ginger garlic paste- 1tbsp
• Green chillies- 2 (chopped)
• Yoghurt- 2tbsp
• Peas- 1 cop
• String beans- 100 grams
• Potato- 1 (cut into pieces)
• Carrots- 50 grams (chopped)
• Lemon juice- 1tbsp
• Coriander powder- 1tsp
• Red chilli powder- 1tsp
• Vegetable stock- 2 cups
• Oil- 2tbsp
• Salt- as per taste

Procedure

1. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Season it with all the whole spices namely cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns and cumin.

2. Add minced ginger and green chillies to it after 1 minute. Cook for 2 minutes on low flame.

3. Add the basmati rice to it and fry for 2 minutes.

4. The saffron strands must be soaked in milk for an hour. Pour it into the cooker along with 4 cups of water and salt. Cook for the duration of 1 whistle and keep the rice aside.

5. Heat oil in deep skillet. Season it with all the whole spices like cardamom, pepper, cloves and cinnamon.

6. Add ginger garlic paste along with green chillies. Add the vegetables, that is; peas, potatoes, carrots and beans to it. Fry for 3 minutes on low flame.

7. Add yoghurt to it and stir well for 2 minutes. Add the red chilli and coriander powder now. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes.

8. Pour the vegetable stock into the skillet and cook on medium flame for 7 minutes until the gravy thickens.

9. Now put a layer of vegetables between 2 layers of rice and cook in the microwave for 5 minutes.

Tahiri can be served with raita and salad. It is a complete meal and needs no side dish to go long.