Mushroom Biriyani

Biriyani is my all time favourite and I have never tried at home,being the only person who eats at my home.I am always very eager to make biriyani and somehow was not satisfied with the recipes I get to hear and taste.Finally I liked the biriyani of my colleague and asked  the recipet.By adding my own touches,trial and error method I mastered it..I am sure everyone will love this even if he/she is not a  biriyani fan.Mushroom is highly nutritious and is always vegetarians delight.

ENJOY !!

Checklist for making Biriyani for two

Basmati rice                                           -  1.5 cup

Mushroom (button)                               -15-20 nos or small pack

Onions(medium sized,finely chopped) -  2 nos

Tomato (finely chopped)                       -1no

Ginger+garlic paste                               -1.5 tbl spoon

Pudina leaves.                                        -few nos

Green chilly.                                          -1 no

Lemon juice                                           -1tbl sp

Curd                                                       -1tbl sp

Water                                                      -3cups

Bread pieces(cut into squares)               -2 bread slices

Spices and condiments

Biriyani masala ( I used Everest shahi biriyani masala) - 1 tbl sp

Chilly powder.                                                               -1 tbl sp

Clove                                                                            -1 small piece

Bay leaf.                                                                       -1 leaf

Elaichi/cardamom                                                        -1 piece

Cinnamon.                                                                    -1inch piece

Aniseed/saunf                                                              -few seeds

Salt

Ghee/oil                                                                    -2tbl spoon                                                          

Steps for making it happen!!

·         Add oil/ghee to your pressure cooker, keep the flame very low, during the process.once it gets heated up add those spices one by one except biriyani masala.(Adding ghee generously and keeping flame low will help not to stick or burn at the bottom of your pressure cooker,If you are using non-stick version pressure cooker then you don’t have to worry much about it)

·         Add chopped onions,little bit salt and sauté until it becomes transparent.

·         Now add ginger-garlic paste, green chilly, tomato and sauté till tomato becomes mushy.Add pudina leaves in between for more flavour.

·         Now add mushroom, please be careful not to add any water since mushroom itself releases water.(Please be careful while chosing mushroom, it should not be dark and should be fresh.Wash it very nicely in clean running tapwater.If mushroom is not of good quality you may end up in food poisoning)

·         Add chilly powder, biriyani masala, salt and sauté it, in the meantime just wash and drain water from the basmati rice and keep aside (you don't have to soak it for longer time.

·         Once the raw flavor of masala is gone, add lemon juice and curd immediately mix it well such that it's evenly mixed and no lumps are formed  in it.

·         Now add the water that is 3cups of water. Check for salt(water plays an important role in biriyani making.if u have already made anything with basmati rice you are using here, you will be knowing approximate amount of water you need.usually it's 1.5cups for one cup of basmati rice)

·         Let the water boil, Once the water boils, add the basmati rice and keep the flame high close the lid, put the weight and pressure cook for just 1 whistle, at the max 2 whistles and remove from heat immediately.

·         Be careful with the pressure cooker and slowly release it after few mins.Finally add the bread pieces roasted in ghee and it will give you a crunchy feeling in your dish,you will definitely have a hide and seek time with bread when you have it.

·         This biriyani can be served with raita and potato chips.It can be even served with roasted baby potatoes.Enjoy monsoon days with this Biriyani.