Vegan Soya Biryani

Vegan Soya Biryani

Ingredients

For the Rice:

1. 2 cups basmati rice (washed and soaked for 30 minutes)
2. 4 cups water
3. 1 teaspoon salt

For the Soya Chunks Mixture:

1. 1 cup soya chunks (soaked in hot water for 15-20 minutes, then drained)
2. 1 large onion, thinly sliced
3. 2 tomatoes, chopped
4. 1/2 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
5. 2-3 green chilies, slit
6. 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
7. 2-3 tablespoons biryani masala (or garam masala)
8. 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
9. 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
10. 2-3 tablespoons oil
11. Whole spices (1-2 bay leaves, 4-5 cloves, 2-3 cardamom pods, 1 small cinnamon stick)
12. Salt to taste
13. Fresh coriander leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Cook the Rice:

1. In a pot, bring 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil.
2. Add the soaked basmati rice and cook until it's about 70% done (about 7-8 minutes).
3. Drain and set aside.

Prepare the Soya Chunks Mixture:

1. In a large bowl, combine the soaked soya chunks, sliced onions, chopped tomatoes, green peas, green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, biryani masala, turmeric powder, and salt.
2. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat.
3. Add cumin seeds and whole spices; sauté until fragrant.
4. Add the combined soya chunks and vegetable mixture to the pot, and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the onions are translucent and the soya chunks are slightly cooked.

Combine Rice and Soya Chunks Mixture:

1. Layer the partially cooked rice over the soya chunks mixture in the pot.
2. Gently fluff the rice to combine without breaking the grains.

Cook the Biryani:

1. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, reducing the heat to low.
2. Cook for another 15-20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed all flavors.
3. Alternatively, you can seal the pot with dough or a clean kitchen towel before placing the lid to trap steam.

Serve:

1. Fluff the biryani gently with a fork, garnish with fresh coriander leaves if using, and serve hot with a side of vegan raita or salad.

Nutritional Value (Per Serving, makes about 6 servings)

1. Calories: 250-300
2. Protein: 12-14g
3. Carbohydrates: 45-50g
4. Fat: 8-10g
5. Fiber: 4-5g
6. Sugars: 3-4g
7. Sodium: 300-400mg