For the rice (Stove top method)
Soak the basmati rice for 1/2 hour.
In a heavy bottomed pan, add rice and water, bring it to a rolling boil, turn the heat to low. Cover the pan with a lid. Cook it for 10 mins until the rice is tender and water has evaporated. Turn off the heat and fluffy rice is ready.
To make the vegetable curry Heat oil and ghee in another pan, add cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves and star anise, fry for a min.
Add ginger garlic paste, green chillies and mint, fry for 1-2 mins until raw smell vanishes.
Add chopped onion and salt, saute this for 1-2 mins until it turns golden brown color.
Add chopped tomato, saute this for a min.
Add all vegetables (carrot, beans, peas, capsicum & mushroom), coriander powder, red chilly powder and garam masala, saute this for 2 mins.
Add thick curd, mix well with the vegetables. Sprinkle some water and cover the pan with a lid, cook it for 3-4 mins in a medium flame. Check the salt. Once it done, switch off the stove.
Dum the biryani Take a heavy bottomed vessel, add 1 tsp of ghee, first layer the white rice on the bottom of a pan. Spread it evenly. Then layer the vegetable curry on top of the rice, spread it evenly.
Repeat this process with rice and vegetable gravy. Finally sprinkle some cashews, french fried onions, mint and coriander leaves over the rice.
Now cover the pan tightly and dum (pressurize) it for 15 mins in medium low flame. Mix well all the ingredients and serve hot.
Serve with onion raita or any gravy of your choice or potato chips or pickle.
Tips:
You can sprinkle saffron + milk to the top of the rice while making dum, gives nice color to the dish.
You can add chopped potatoes, cauliflowers and panner to this recipe.
If you want more tangy side, add lemon juice.
If you don't get french fried onions, you can also deep fry the onions at home.
You can make this biryani either in stove top or oven or pressure cooker.
