Cauliflower Biriyani:

I have never made those hearty-healthy vegetable biriyani before. And using brown basmati in cooking is challenge to me. Finally, I made a choice to give it a shot. Made this pretty looking 7-9 tier (layers) biriyani, however with this deep color…its hard to differentiate! You know, this method is bit time consuming, rice took almost a year to get cooked!!!…but definitely flavorful and rich looking:)

Main Ingredients:

Cauliflower 1 head – florets
Brown Basmati rice 3 cups

To Fry & Garnish:

Ghee
Red onions
Green chilies
Cashew nuts
Raisins
Pinch of salt
Touch of sugar.

To marinate and Fry Cauliflower:

Cauliflower
Onion paste
Ginger-garlic paste 1/2 spoon
Lemon juice few spoons
Curd 1 cup
Salt
Turmeric
Chili powder
Oil for frying (or ghee)

Cauliflower Masala:

Fried cauliflower
Onion sliced
Ginger-garlic paste 1 spoon
Tomato crushed
Mint 10 leaves
Salt
Chili powder
Ghee for stir-frying.

For Biriyani:

Brown Basmati rice 3 cups
Ghee 1 small cup
White onions 1-2 sliced
Ginger-garlic paste 1/2 spoon
Green chilies 6 sliced
Salt enough
Cinnamon stick 2
Cloves 5
Cardamom 3 pods
Bay leaves 2
Star anise 2
Marati mokku 1

Method:

Marinate the florets with all the spices said for frying(except oil, okay). Then fry them till crisp. Set aside.

In a sauce pan, heat ghee. Add the masala ingredients and fry real good, till aromatic maybe. Now add the fried cauliflower to it…cook briefly. Set aside.

Heat ghee in a crock pot, throw in the dry spices and then followed by chilies, ginger-garlic paste and onions…fry real good, once onions are reddish brown. Add rice. Stir-fry the rice…till ghee coats well. Then, add the warm water and continue cooking over low heat. Once the rice is 3/4th done fluff and set aside.

Now, in a wide oven safe tray…spread the rice and followed by cauliflower masala, repeat rice and masala alternatively till you finish the reserve. Now set you comfort baking temperature and place the tray in the oven. Once rice is done thoroughly without any moisture. Remove from heat…garnish with the fried nuts and onions.

Serve warm as a main dish. Enjoy:)