Short-Cut Vegetable Biryani

Submitted by Member 610488

"When time is of the essence and you need to impress someone, this quick and easy recipe is the one to get the job done."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 28
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• The Rice

• 3⁄4 cup basmati rice
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons golden raisins
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
• 1⁄2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1⁄4 teaspoon whole cumin seed
• 1⁄4 teaspoon whole coriander seed
• 3 whole cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
• 1 1⁄2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• The Vegetables

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1⁄4 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons golden raisins
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds
• 1⁄2 teaspoon whole cumin seed
• 5 whole cardamom pods
• 1 cup small cauliflower floret
• 3 ounces green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 3 small new potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 medium carrot, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2⁄3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons toasted shredded coconut
• 2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds

directions

1. Place the rice in a sieve and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
2. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, over medium-high heat. Add the golden raisins, almonds, turmeric, cumin seed, coriander seed, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick and cook, stirring, until toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until toasted, about 1 minute more. Add the water and salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, (wrap the lid tightly with a kitchen towel), cover, and steam until the rice is tender, 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
4. Melt the butter in a medium straight-sided skillet with a tight-fitting lid, over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the golden raisins, almonds, coriander seed, cumin seed, and cardamom and cook, stirring, until toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the cauliflower, green beans, potatoes, carrots, and salt. Raise the heat to high, pour in the water, and cook, covered, for 4 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender and most of the water has evaporated, about 1 1/2 minutes more.
6. Add the rice to the vegetable mixture and, using a rubber spatula, stir to combine. Season with salt to taste. Divide the vegetable-rice mixture among plates and top with some of the toasted coconut and almonds. Serve immediately.

Reviews

[horsephoto]

I didn't use potatoes but did add extra cauliflower and squash. It is a good way to use up extra vegetables.

 

[Caram]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing -made this last week. When cooking the veggies I was certain they were burning -but some just blackened a bit and there wasn't any carbon taste -much to my relief. Because I know what flavors we like best I took out the ginger and 1/2 of the coriander seeds. And next time I will either buy smaller potatoes or cut them smaller because I wanted more seasoning flavor instead of plain potato. Just sharing my thoughts and about to get ready to make some more tonight. Merci!

 

[Kathy228]

I really liked this. It's an easy dish to prepare. Though it may look like lots of ingredients/steps, there's not really. The list is mostly spices. I added more salt and since I thought I had green beans but didn't, I subbed with peas; and tossed in some chopped cilantro. I will make this often as it is so easy. Made for "More Than Just Curries" tag game.