Soya Chunks Keema Briyani

Always Soya Chunks has been a special ingredient in my kitchen. Tried out this Soya Chunks Keema Briyani, out of my own innovation for one of my vegetarian friends and she was impressed. So here comes the recipe.. Also have a look into some other Soya chunks rice recipes such as  

• Mushroom Soya Chunks Briyani
• Spicy Soya Chunks Pulao

Recipe For : 2

Preparation Time : 40 minutes

Ingredients:

Briyani Rice              - 1 cup
Soya Chunks             - 1/4 cup
Big Onion                  - 2
Tomato                      - 2
Ginger-Garlic paste   - 2 tbsp
Green Chili                - 1
Curd                           - 3 tbsp
Salt                             - As required
Turmeric Powder       - 1/4 tsp
Chili Powder              - 1/2 tsp
Coriander Leaves       - few
Mint Leaves                - few

Procedure:

• Soak soya chunks in hot water for 10 minutes. After that squeeze out excess water. This is done to soften soya chunks. Coarsely grind soya chunks without adding water to make keema out of it.
• Chop Big onion lengthwise. Slit green chili. Chop finely tomatoes. Wash rice with water. I used Seeraga Samba rice for this briyani. You can use also Basmati rice. 
• Heat oil in a cooker. Add whole garam masala to it. Whole garam masala includes cinnamon stick, cloves, star aniseeds , green cardamom and bay leaf.
• Saute for a minute and then add chopped onions and green chili.
• After the onions turn translucent, add Ginger-Garlic paste.
• Saute till raw flavor goes off, and then add chopped tomatoes. 
• After tomato is cooked, add salt, turmeric powder, chili powder and curd.
• Mix everything well. Add 2 cups of water. When the water boils, add rice, coriander leaves, mint leaves and cook for a whistle.
• Your tasty briyani is ready. Enjoy it with Raita!!

Spicy Soya Chunks Pulao

The name Spicy and Juicy soya chunks pulao suits this recipe well.. Spices which are added to this recipe makes it differ from usual pulao. Adding coconut milk gives juiciness to this pulao.  One of the best recipes to try on weekend..  Here you go!!!

Recipe For : 2

Preparation Time : 30 minutes

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice         - 1 cup
Soya Chunks          - 1/2 cup
Fresh Peas              - a handful
Big onion               - 2
Grated Coconut      - 1/4 cup
Chopped Ginger     - 2 tsp
Chopped Garlic      - 2 tsp
Green Chili             - 2
Salt                          - As required
Turmeric Powder    - 1/4 tsp
Coriander leaves     - few
Mint Leaves            - few
Cinnamon Stick       - 1 (Pattai)
Bay leaf                    - 1
Oil                            - 3 tbsp

To Dry Roast And Grind:

Dry Red Chili     - 2
Coriander Seeds  - 1/2 tsp (Malli)
Cumin Seeds       - 1/4 tsp (Seeragam)
Fennel Seeds       - 1/4 tsp (Sombu /Perunseeragam)
Cloves                  - 2 (Krambu)
Cardamom           - 2 (Elakkai)

Procedure:

• Soak Soya chunks in hot water for 10 minutes. After that squeeze out excess water. This is done to soften the chunks. Cook soya chunks for a whistle. Boil Fresh peas also.
• Chop Big onion lengthwise. Slit Green chili. See to that Ginger and Garlic are finely chopped. Extract coconut milk from coconut. You can check here for knowing how to extract coconut milk from coconut. 
• Wash rice and keep it aside. Heat oil in a cooker. Add washed rice to it. Saute for some time, You can see rice getting dry. After that take it out in a plate. This is done to prevent rice from getting sticky.
• Dry roast and grind everything under ' To Dry Roast And Grind' adding little water.
• Add some more oil to the cooker. Add Bay leaf and cinnamon stick it.
• Add chopped onions after a minute. Add chopped ginger, garlic and slit green chili after the onions turn translucent.
• Add cooked soya chunks and peas after some time. Add also salt and turmeric powder. Mix everything well together.
• We have to add 2 cups of water for this recipe. You can either add 2 cups of coconut milk or 1 cup of coconut milk and 1 cup of water. Pulao cooked fully in coconut milk really tastes so good.
• When the mixture boils, add rice, coriander leaves and mint leaves. Mix everything well and cook it for a whistle. Your spicy and juicy soya chunks pulao is ready to eat!!!

Soya Chunks Gravy

I have already posted some recipes using Soya Chunks.  Today's recipe is Soya Chunks gravy which tastes divine with Pulkha Roti. Soya Chunks are cooked in onion- tomato paste and with spices powder. One of the simplest and tastiest gravies. Don't forget to give it a try.

The recipe follows..

Recipe For : 2

Preparation Time : 40 minutes

Ingredients:

To Grind:

Fennel Seeds             - 1 tsp (Sombu)
Dry Red Chili            - 2
Cashew Nuts              - 4 to 6 (optional)

Big Onion                  - 2 (medium size)

Tomatoes                   - 2 (medium size)
Green Chili                - 1
Ginger- Garlic Paste  - 2tsp
Kasthuri Methi           - 2 tsp (Dry Fenugreek Leaves)

For the Gravy:

Soya Chunks                       - 1/2 cup
Whole Garam Masala         - Each 2
Salt                                      - As required
Turmeric Powder                - 1/4 tsp
Coriander Powder               - 1/2 tsp (Malli Thool)
Garam Masala powder        - 1/4 tsp
Oil                                        - 2 tbsp

Procedure:

• Soak Soya chunks, in hot water for 10 minutes. After that squeeze out excess water. This is done to soften the chunks. If the soya chunks are big in size, chop  it to two. If its small, use as such.
• Chop Big Onions and tomatoes finely. Slit Green Chili.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add Fennel seeds, Dry red chili and Cashew nuts  to it. When they splutter add chopped onions and slit green chili.
• After the onions turn translucent, add  Ginger- Garlic paste.
• Add chopped tomatoes after the raw flavor of Ginger-Garlic paste goes off.
• Cover with a lid and cook until both onions and tomatoes are cooked completely. 
• Switch off the flame and let it cool. Grind it after it  has cooled down completely.
• Heat oil in a cooker. when its hot add Whole Garam Masala.
• After a minute add ground onion-tomato paste.
• Add enough water, salt , turmeric powder and Coriander powder to it.
• Adjust the spices according to your taste. Add softened soya chunks also to the gravy and cook it for a whistle.
• When the pressure subsides,  open the cooker and add Garam Masala Powder the gravy. Mix it well.
• Your Soya Chunks gravy is ready now!! Enjoy with either Chapathi or Roti.

Meal Maker Kuzhambu

Want a rich vegetarian gravy for Chapathi??? Tried this Meal Maker Kuzhambu before???  Best interesting side dish for Chapathi/Roti.. Very easy to prepare too..
 Here goes the recipe..

Recipe For : 1

Preparation Time : 20 minutes

Ingredients:

Meal Maker              -  8 - 10 (Soya Chunks)

Small Onions            - 6 to 8

Salt                            - As required

Turmeric Powder      - 1/4 tsp

Oil                             - 1 tbsp

To Grind:

Coriander Seeds     - 1/2 tsp (Malli)

Dry Red Chili        - 1 (Milagai Vathal)

Cumin Seeds          - 1/2 tsp (Seeragam)

Pepper                    - 3 to 5

Chopped Coconut  - 2 tbsp

Procedure:

• Soak Soya chunks, in hot water for 10 minutes. After that squeeze out excess water. This is done to soften the chunks. If the soya chunks are bigger chop into two. If its small, use as such.
• Finely chop small onions. If you couldn't find small onions, can also use Big onion.
• Dry roast Coriander seeds, dry red chili, cumin seeds, pepper and grind it to a smooth paste along with coconut.
• Heat oil in a cooker. Add chopped onions to it. Saute it for some time. After they turn translucent add chopped meal maker.
• Add also ground paste, salt, turmeric powder and enough water.
• Mix everything well and cook for a whistle. If you think the gravy is very much watery, simmer the gravy for some time.
• Enjoy your Meal Maker Kuzhambu!!!

Meal Maker Poriyal

Want to prepare a spicy poriyal?? But no vegetables left out at home??? This Meal Maker poriyalcomes in handy in such times.  It goes well with Variety rice and Parupu Sadham..

Here is the recipe..

Recipe For : 1

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

Meal Maker                     - 1/4 cup (Soya Chunks)

Mustard Seeds                 - 1/4 tsp

Urad Dal                          - 1/4 tsp

Salt                                   - As required

Turmeric Powder             - a pinch

Chili Powder                    -   1/2 tsp

Cumin Powder                 - 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala Powder    - 1/4 tsp

Curry :Leaves                  - few

Oil                                    - 1 tbsp

Procedure:

• Soak Soya chunks, in hot water for 10 minutes. After that squeeze out excess water. This is done to soften the chunks. If the soya chunks are bigger chop into two. If its small, use as such.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and urad dal.
• When they splutter, add soya chunks and curry leaves. Add salt, Turmeric powder, Chili Powder and cumin powder.
• Cover the pan with a lid and cook well.
• Saute in between to prevent the soya chunks from getting burnt. 
• You will need at-least 20 minutes to get soya chunks to cook completely. Instead you can cook soya chunks in cooker for a whistle, After that you can start preparing the poriyal as above. And Don't waste the water in which you are cooking soya chunks. Just add to some other gravy which you prepare in order to get the nutrients in it.
• When the soya chunks are completely cooked and roasted, Switch off the flame and add Garam Masala powder.
• Enjoy with Variety Rice of your choice.

Mushroom Soya-Chunks Briyani

Mushroom Soya-Chunks Briyani

When ever we have vegetarian friends visiting our home for lunch, always my first choice would be Mushroom Briyani. I tried out this Briyani, adding Soya-Chunks and Peas.. It was awesome, rich and fulfilling.

That Rich and Yummy Briyani  Recipe follows..

To Grind: For Masala

Chopped Ginger                                        - 2 tsp

Chopped Garlic                                         - 2 tsp

Green Chillies                                            - 2

Cinnamon                                                  - 1

Cloves                                                        - 1

Star Aniseeds                                             - 1

Cloves                                                        - 1

Green cardamom                                       - 1

Fresh Coriander                                         - a handful

Others :

Basmathi rice                                            - 2 cup

Button Mushroom                                      - 200gm

Soya Chunks                                             - 10

Fresh Peas                                               - 1/4 cup

Big onion  (cut lengthwise)                        - 2  

Tomato                                                      - 2 

Fresh Coriander leaves                             - a handful

Fresh Mint leaves                                      - a handful

Curd                                                          - 1 tbsp

lemon                                                         - 1/2

Oil                                                              - As required

Ghee                                                          - 2 tsp

Water                                                         - 4 cups

Salt                                                             - as required

Masala Powders

Turmeric powder                                       - a pinch

Chilli Powder                                             - 2 tsp

Cumin Powder                                           - 1 tsp

Coriander Powder                                      - 1 tsp

Whole Garam Masala

Cloves                                                        - 1

Star Aniseeds                                             - 1

Cloves                                                        - 1

Green cardamom                                       - 1

Procedure:

1.  Wash the rice , empty all the water and keep it aside
2. Grind all things mentioned under 'To Grind'.
3. Chop Big Onion lengthwise. Chop Mushroom into little bigger pieces. 
4. Soak Soya chunks, in hot water for 10 minutes. After that squeeze out excess water. This is done to soften the chunks. If the soya chunks are bigger chop into two. If its small, use as such.Cook soya Chunks for a whistle.
5. Cook fresh peas as well. 
6. Chop tomato finely.
7. Heat oil + ghee in a cooker
8. Add rice to it. saute for some time. You can see rice getting dry. That is the perfect time to switch off the flame. This is done to prevent the rice getting sticky.
9. Take out the rice 
10. Add more oil + ghee and add everything listed in 'whole garam masala'.
11. Then add onions
12. Once onions become translucent add chopped Mushroom.
13. When the mushroom is cooked 3/4 th, add Cooked Soya-Chunks and Peas.
14. After some time add tomatoes.
15. Add the masala and all the powders under 'Masala Powders'  including salt.
16. Add rice, curd and 4 cups of water.
17.  Add coriander leaves and mint leaves. mix it well and keep the cooker for 1 whistle.
18. Add lemon juice atlast after opening the briyani.  Be careful while mixing up briyani. Make it a perfect round when you are mixing up the briyani otherwise you might end up breaking the rice.
19. Adjust the spice, according to your taste. You Can also use Seeraga Samba Rice (Briyani Rice) for this recipe.
20. Enjoy your briyani with raita,