Vegetable Biryani (South Africa)

Engrossed's Note:

From: “The Africa News Cookbook, African Cooking for Western Kitchens”.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 3 large onions , sliced
• 4 tablespoons butter or 4 tablespoons clarified butter
• 6 chili peppers, crushed into a paste (I will use a lesser amount of chili paste or crushed red pepper flakes) or 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (I will use a lesser amount of chili paste or crushed red pepper flakes)
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger , minced (2-inch piece)
• 10 garlic cloves , minced
• ½ cup dry lentils , pre-soaked
• ½ lb green peas
• ½ lb carrot , chopped
• ½ lb green beans , chopped
• 3 large tomatoes , chopped
• 6 whole cloves
• 4 inches cinnamon sticks
• 6 cardamom pods , crushed
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 3 sprigs fresh mint or ½ teaspoon dried mint , pounded
• 2 cups long-grain white rice , uncooked (basamati is good)
• 6 large potatoes , chopped into large chunks
• 1 -2 teaspoon salt
• 5 -6 cups hot water
• yogurt , to serve

Directions:

1. In a large, heavy skillet or stew pot, fry the onions in butter until they are golden brown. With a slotted spoon, remove about 1/3 of the slices and set aside.
2. Add to the pot the ginger, garlic and chili paste, and fry for 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly. Then add the lentils, green peas, carrots and green beans. Reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes, adding more butter or a bit of oil if needed.
3. Add the tomatoes, spices and mint, and stir for 5 minutes.
4. Then pour a cup of hot water, cover, and simmer until vegetables are about half cooked.
5. Add rice, potatoes, salt and another 4-5 cups of hot water (use the lesser amount if your vegetables have created quite a bit of liquid). Cover again, and cook for another 20-30 minutes until rice is done and water is absorbed.
6. To serve, garnish with the reserved onion slices, and pass around a bowl of yogurt as a sauce.

Reviews

[Gerry]

Scaled this down and wish I had made the full amount to freeze for later. Other then cutting back on the chili peppers and cayenne I made as posted - all enjoyed the very full flavored dish.