Ingredients:
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, peas, potatoes, etc.), chopped
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup cooking oil or ghee
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2-3 green cardamom pods
- 2-3 cloves
- 1-inch cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon biryani masala
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro and mint leaves for garnishing
- Fried onions for garnishing (optional)
Source: www.archanaskitchen.com
Instructions:
- Wash the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes, then drain.
- In a large pot, heat the oil or ghee over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
- Add the sliced onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
- Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and release their juices.
- Mix in the biryani masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook for a few minutes until the spices are well incorporated.
- Add the mixed vegetables and cook for 5-7 minutes until they start to soften.
- Stir in the plain yogurt and cook for a couple of minutes until it’s well combined with the vegetable mixture.
- In a separate pot, bring water to a boil and add the soaked and drained rice. Cook the rice until it’s 70% done (it should still have a bite to it). Drain the rice.
- Layer half of the partially cooked rice over the vegetable mixture in the pot.
- Sprinkle some chopped cilantro and mint leaves over the rice.
- Layer the remaining rice over the herbs and garnish with more cilantro and mint leaves.
- Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to cook completely.
- Once the rice is cooked, gently fluff it with a fork and mix the layers of rice and vegetables.
- Serve the Sabsi Biryani hot, garnished with fried onions if desired.
Enjoy the delightful fusion of aromatic rice and flavorful vegetables in this Sabsi Biryani – a hearty and satisfying dish that captures the essence of Pakistani cuisine!