Soya Chunks Biryani

Who can resist the hot steaming aromatic biryani ....? I like the rice varieties and my hubby is not a big fan of pulao and biryanis. He will choose the indian breads over rice when given an option. But I am happy that he has started to like my biryanis now, especially the Egg biryani :) I will post that recipe soon. 

But today, I am posting the Soya chunks biryani. I may have told many times that we are big fans of soya chunks..I got Nutrela's mini soya chunks last time and i felt they look so cute :)..You can use the regular soya chunks also. I always find easy methods in cooking and my best helper is the pressure cooker. I love to make pongal, pulao and biryanis in it, which I have found very easy and simple.The biryani came out really nice, my hubby was also impressed ;)...and that makes me happy :) . I served it with a simple onion-tomato raita, pickle and papad. So friends do try this lovely biryani !!

Check out some of my other Soya recipes:

Tandoori Soya, Baked Soya Bread Cutlets, Tapioca and Soya Puffs,

Soya Granules Thoran, Soya chunks Pakora, Soya chunks Masala

Check out some of the easy pressure cooker method recipes:

Spinach and Carrots Pulao, Mint Pulao, Cracked Wheat Pongal, Oats Pongal

What you need?

1 cup Basmati Rice

1 cup Soya chunks (I have used mini soya chunks)

1 large Onion chopped

2 Tomatoes chopped

3-4 Green chillies slit lengthwise

1 tsp Ginger-Garlic paste

Whole Garam Masala : 1/2 " piece Cinnamon, 2 Cloves, 2 Cardamom pods,1 Star Aniseed

2 tsp Biryani masala

1 tbsp Yogurt

few Coriander leaves chopped

few Mint leaves

1.5 cup Water

Ghee/Oil

Salt

How to prepare?

Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes. Boil about 3 cups of water in a vessel, add soya chunks and a little salt. Allow it to cook for 10 minutes. Switch off the stove, close the vessel with a lid and keep it aside for 15 minutes.Drain the water and once cooled, gently squeeze out the water from the soya chunks.Keep them aside.

Heat a little oil or ghee in a pressure cooker. Add the whole garam masala mentioned above. Saute for a minute. Add the onion and ginger-garlic paste. Saute until the onions turn soft. Add the green chillies and tomatoes. Saute until the tomatoes turn tender. Add salt and biriyani masala now. Mix well.

Now add the soya chunks and fry for 3-4 minutes on a medium flame. Add coriander leaves, mint leaves and yogurt now. Combine everything well. Finally add the rice and fry for a minute.Pour the water, mix well and cover the cooker. Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Wait until the pressure is released completely.

Serve hot with raita, pickle and papad.

Serves 3-4

Notes:
*You can use regular soya chunks and chop them into half if you desire.