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!!

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,