A Riot of Flavours...Veggie Biriyani

I've always wanted to try this and I found an easy recipe on the biriyani masala packet. So, one evening, when M was busy assembling a chest of drawers we got from Ikea, I made him a tasty dinner.

• basmati rice 1 cup (will serve 2)
• mixed veggies - carrots, french beans, cauliflower, peas & potatoes - 2 cups
• onion, 1 large
• ginger and garlic paste, 1 teaspoon
• tomato puree 2 tbspns
• yoghurt 3 tbspns
• turmeric powder, just a pinch
• red chilli powder, 1/2 teaspoon
• biriyani masala powder 2 teaspoons
• ghee or clarified butter
• salt to taste
• fresh coriander or cilantro

1. Cook rice and keep aside.
2. Microwave or cook the veggies and keep aside.
3. In a deep pan heat the ghee and saute the onions in it till tender.
4. Add the ginger garlic paste and suate for a few seconds.
5. Stir in the tomato puree, turmeric and chilli powder and cook till the ghee separates.
6. Lower the heat and pour the yoghurt, stirring simultaneously.
7. Add the biriyani masala powder and salt.
8. Mix in the cooked veggies and cook for a few minutes.
9. Take a wide bowl and layer it with some cooked rice.
10. Next layer it with the biriyani masala mixture.
11. Alternate the layers till you use up everything.
12. Garnish with fresh coriander or cilantro.

You could also garnish it with fried onion. For an exotic touch, you can add some saffron to a part of the rice and use it as the top most layer.

M worked hard with the drawers, so I rewarded him with the yummy biriyani and some cool raita!