How to Cook Veg Biryani? A Step-by-Step Guide

Cooking Methods

To make your veg biryani you can choose the cooking methods, such as stovetop, cooker, or instant pot method.

Stovetop Method

The stovetop method requires a lot of patience. However, the result is the best because you can taste an infusion of flavour.

It involves taking a heavy-bottomed pot and layering the mixture of cooked rice and vegetables. Cook it on low heat. This method makes the dish delicious and satisfying.

Pressure Cooker Method

The pressure cooker method is best for those who want to prepare the veg biryani quickly and don’t want to compromise on flavour.

Instant Pot Method

The instant pot method has the benefits of stovetop and pressure cooker methods, making it very popular. It is the modern cooking method.

Pre-Preparation and Cooking Rice

For pre-preparation, you can also get the help of the full time maid. They can help you with chopping and preparing the dish.

1) In a bowl, add 2 cups of basmati rice and wash it until you see the clear water. After that, soak the rice for 30 minutes.

2) Until then, finely chop onions, carrots, potatoes, capsicum, and beans. Wash all the vegetables including peas and cauliflower. Measure out all spices. Also, whisk the yogurt until the smooth texture is visible.

3) Add 4 cups water to a large pot and bring it to a boil. Then add soaked rice and salt. Don’t overcook them. Keep the 80% cooked rice aside.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Cook Veg Biryani?

1) In a large pan or kadai, add 1 tbsp ghee and heat it. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.

2) Add bay leaves, cinnamon, 3 green cardamom, 3 cloves, and 1 star anise. Sauté them well.

3) After that add 1 large chopped onion and 1 chopped green chilli to it and sauté them until they turn golden brown.

4) Add ½ tsp ginger garlic paste and sauté it for a minute.

5) After sautéing all the aromatics, add the mixed vegetables, including carrot, peas, potato, capsicum, cauliflower, and beans. Cook them until they become tender.

6) When the vegetables are cooked properly, add the Kashmiri red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, biryani masala powder, and salt to taste. Also, add the whisked yogurt.

7) Mix well these spices and vegetables. After stirring well, add 2 tbsp pudina and coriander leaves.

8) Add the 2 cups cooked basmati rice and mix them gently. Carefully stir them without breaking the rice grain.

9) Now, your delicious veg biryani is ready. Garnish it with fresh coriander, mint leaves, or fried onion. Serve it hot with raita.

Serving Suggestions

These serving suggestions will help you enhance the flavour of the veg biryani because they complement them well.

• You can serve raita with veg biryani to balance the cooling effect and spices.
  
  
• Pickles and papadums are also great serving options.
  
  
• Serve it with salan which is a gravy-based dish and adds a flavourful twist.
  
  
• Chutneys are a good serving option, such as mint or tamarind chutney.
  
  
• To make the meal fulfilling, you can serve the delicious veg biryani with a bowl of lentil soup, refreshing salad, or gulab jamun and kheer.

Ingredients Substitutes

Here are the substitutes for ingredients you can use if you don’t want or have the ingredients mentioned in the recipe.

Basmati Rice: It is not compulsory to use basmati rice, you can use other alternatives, such as sella basmati rice or Jasmine rice. They don't get mushy and are cooked well.

Jasmine rice can work but has a slightly different texture than the basmati rice. You can also cook the brown rice if you want a healthier version.

Yogurt: If you are a vegan and want an alternative to yogurt, try using coconut milk or cashew paste. Cashew paste can be made easily. You just have to soak them for 30 minutes. After that, blend them in the grinder with a little water. Do this until it turns into a smooth paste.

Ghee: Want to use something other than ghee? You can always use vegetable oil. You can also use canola, avocado, sunflower, or olive oil if you are a vegan. You can also use butter instead of ghee.

Vegetables: Feel free to use the vegetables you want. You can experiment with them by adding the choice of your vegetables, such as red bell peppers, corn, mushroom, and more according to your preference. You can even add paneer if you want to.

You can hire a cook for home in Noida as they can easily prepare delicious veg biryani and know about all the substitutes. This helps them meet your cooking and dietary requirements.

Expert Tips

Follow these tips to ensure your veg biryani turns out the best and flavourful and to avoid any mistakes.

Don’t Overcook Rice: When cooking your rice, keep an eye on it. It should have a tender yet firm texture. Avoid overcooking the rice.

Use Fresh Herbs and Spices: Fresh herbs and high-quality spices should be used, as they will add the perfect aroma to your dish. The spices should be balanced. It should not be too much or too little because it will make the dish bland and affect its flavour.

Ratio of Rice and Vegetables: Ensure the ratio of rice to vegetables is balanced. If the rice quantity is higher, the dish will become dry. Or if the vegetables are too many, the biryani will get soggy. You can use a ratio of 1:1.

Less Greasy Biryani: If don’t want to make your biryani less greasy, you can use less amount of ghee or oil. With the help of a paper towel, you can remove excess oil before serving.

Rest Before Serving: Before you serve your delicious veg biryani, rest it for a few minutes. This will help settle the flavours of the biryani.

Emphasize Leftovers: You can use the biryani leftovers by simply reheating them on low heat or in the microwave. This will ensure the rice stays fluffy. If you want you can get a little bit creative by transforming it into biryani pulao or biryani fried rice.

Conclusion

This is how to cook veg biryani, as this recipe will surely make your family or guests feel satisfied and fulfilled with your dish. Gather and prepare the ingredients in advance to make the dish easily and quickly.

Follow the recipe steps properly to make the delicious veg biryani. Use the serving suggestions because they complement the flavours of your biryani.

Don’t worry if you do not have the specific ingredient. Just use the substitutes mentioned above. Also, take notes from expert tips to make your biryani more delicious and flavourful.

For the best cooking services, you can visit NinjaCare! Their cook ensures to make the dishes based on your requirements and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 Can I make biryani without yogurt?

Ans Yes, biryani can be made without yogurt. Instead of using yogurt, you can use coconut milk or cashew paste.

Q2 How can I make biryani spicier or milder?

Ans You can make biryani spicier or milder by adjusting the spice level. You can add less chilli powder or avoid adding green chillies to make milder biryani. For a spicier kick, add more of these ingredients.

Q3 Is Veg Biryani gluten-free?

Ans Yes, veg Biryani is gluten-free. That is because the rice and vegetables are used to make the biryani. However, check the ingredients and spices you are using are gluten-free.

Q4 Can I use frozen vegetables?

Ans Yes, you can use frozen vegetables to make veg biryani. Just ensure to wash and cook them properly.