Mushroom Fried Rice | Step by step recipe

Mushroom Fried rice

Quick,easy and delicious mushroom fried rice.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:

1. Long grain rice- 3/4 cup
2. Garlic,finely chopped - 1.5 tsp
3. Green chili,finely chopped - 1( or according to taste)
4. Spring onion whites,chopped - 1 tbsp
5. Onion,finely chopped - 2 tbsp
6. Vegetables,finely chopped - 1 Cup( use carrot,cabbage and green beans)
7. Mushroom,sliced - 1 cup
8. Capsicum,chopped - 1/4 cup
9. Soya sauce - 1/2 to 3/4 tsp
10. Black pepper powder- 1 to 1 and 1/4 tsp( according to taste)
11. Spring onion greens,chopped - 1 tbsp
12. Salt - to taste
13. Oil - as required(i used olive oil)

Instructions:

Wash the rice , soak for about 15 minutes and cook  just until done.Fluff it up using a fork and allow to cool completely.

Heat oil in a pan.Add garlic and saute for few seconds and then add green chili,spring onion whites and onion.Saute until onion turns translucent.

Now add carrot,cabbage and green beans and saute for about  1 minute.Now add mushrooms and  and saute until it is done.

Add capsicum and saute for 2 more minutes.Next add soya sauce,pepper powder and salt to taste.Stir continuously for about 1 minute.

Now add cooked rice and gently mix until combined.Garnish with spring onion greens.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of black pepper powder according to your taste.
  

Easy One Pot Vegetable Biriyani | Step by Step Recipe

Easy One Pot Vegetable biriyani

Quick,easy and delicious one pot Vegetable Biriyani.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3
Ingredients:

1. Basmati rice - 1 cup
2. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Fennel seeds - 1/4 tsp
4. Cinnamon - 1" piece
5. Green Cardamom - 2
6. Black cardamom - 1(optional)
7. Cloves- 3
8. Bay leaf - 1
9. Green chilies,cut vertically - 1 or 2( or according to taste)
10. Ginger and garlic,finely chopped- 1.5 tsp
11. Onion,finely chopped - 1 cup( 1 large)
12. Kashmiri chili powder - 1/2 tsp
13. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
14. Coriander powder- 1/2 tsp
15. Cashew nuts and raisins - 1/2 tbsp each( optional)
16. Tomato ,finely chopped - 1/2 cup(1 medium)
17. Vegetables,cubed - 1 cup( i used carrots,green beans and green peas)
18. Yogurt - 2 tbsp
19. Coriander leaves,finely chopped - 1 tbsp
20. Mint leaves,finely chopped - 1/2 tbsp
21. Oil or ghee - as required
22. Salt - to taste

Instructions:

Heat oil in the rice cooker pan .( you may use a pressure cooker or heavy bottomed pan -see notes). Add cumin seeds,fennel seeds,cinnamon,green cardamom,black cardamom,cloves and bay leaf.Saute for few seconds or until fragrant.Next add ginger ,garlic and green chilies.Saute for about 30 seconds.

Now add onion and saute until it turns slight golden brown.

Add Kashmiri chili powder,turmeric powder and coriander powder.Mix well until combined.Add cashew nuts and raisins and saute for few seconds.

Now add tomato and mix well until combined.Cook until it turns mushy.

Add vegetables and mix well.Next add yogurt.

Add chopped coriander and mint leaves.Mix well until combined.

Wash and drain rice well.Add it to the vegetable masala and mix well.Add 2 to 2.5 cups water.( the quantity of water depends upon the rice that you use.I used 2.5 cups water.)

Add salt to taste , cover and cook until done.Fluff it up using a fork.Serve with raitha ,pickle and pappadom.

NOTES

• If you are using a pressure cooker.Close the cooker after adding water,bring to full pressure on high heat.Place the vent weight ,reduce the heat to low and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes( 1 whistle).Allow cooker to cool gradually. 
• You can also use a heavy bottomed pan to prepare the biriyani.In that case after adding water bring it to a boil over high heat.Reduce the flame to low ,cover and cook for about 15 minutes or until rice is done.Fluff the rice using a fork.

Thai Fried Rice

Thai Fried Rice

Quick and easy Thai Fried rice ,ready in less than 30 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Recipe source: A dash of soul,you can find the original recipe here.
Serves: 3 to 4
Ingredients:

1. Cooked Brown Rice- 4 cups
2. Shallots,chopped - 2 Tbsp
3. Spring onion whites,chopped - 2 to 3 tbsp
4. Golden raisins - 1/4 to 1/3 cup
5. Garlic,minced - 3 cloves
6. Vegetables,finely chopped- 2 cups( i used cabbage,carrot,green beans and broccoli)
7. Sugar- 1 to 2 tsp
8. Black pepper powder- 1/2 tsp (or according to taste)
9. Eggs - 2
10. Tomato sauce- 1/4 cup
11. Tomato,diced- 1 Cup
12. Sesame oil - 1 tsp( or as required)
13. Soya sauce- 2 Tbsp
14. Cashew Nuts,roasted- 1/4 to 1/2 cup
15. Coriander leaves,chopped- 2 Tbsp
16. Salt- To taste
17. Coconut Oil- 2 tsp

Instructions:

Heat  coconut oil in  a pan, add shallots,spring onion whites and raisins.Saute until it turns golden brown.Next add garlic and saute for about 30 seconds.Add the chopped vegetables and mix well.

Saute until the vegetables are cooked through.Add sugar,pepper powder and salt to taste,mix well until combined.Move the vegetables over to one side of the pan and add the eggs.

Add a pinch of salt and scramble the eggs as they cook and mix into the vegetables.

Next add the cooked rice,tomato sauce,diced tomato,sesame oil,soya sauce,cashew nuts and coriander leaves.Mix gently until combined.Cook for few more minutes until all the ingredients are heated through.

NOTES

• I used red onion instead of shallots.
• I halved the recipe as you can see in the pics.

Schezwan Fried Rice Recipe

Schezwan Fried Rice

Schezwan style fried rice
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3 people
Ingredients:

1. Cooked rice- 3 cups
2. Garlic,finely chopped-1.5 tsp
3. Onion ,finely chopped-1 to 2 tbsp
4. Celery,finely chopped- 1/2 tbsp
5. Spring onion whites,chopped-1 tbsp
6. Vegetables, sliced/chopped-1 cup(use carrot ,cabbage and green beans)
7. Capsicum(red/yellow/green)- 1/2 to 3/4 cup
8. Schezwan sauce- 2 tbsp(I used homemade Schezwan sauce)
9. Soya sauce- 1/2 tsp
10. Vinegar- 1/2 tsp
11. Black pepper powder- to taste
12. Spring onion greens,chopped- 1 or 2 tbsp
13. Salt- to taste
14. Oil- as required

Instructions:

Heat oil in a pan,add garlic and saute for few seconds.Add onion,celery,spring onion whites and saute for a minute.

Add vegetables and cook on high flame for 2 to 3 minutes.Add capsicum and saute for one more minute.

Add schezwan sauce, soya sauce ,vinegar and  black pepper powder.Mix well and cook for few seconds.

Add cooked rice and mix gently until combined.Add salt if required.Garnish with spring onion greens.

NOTES

• Adjust the spice level according to your taste.

Chicken Biriyani

Chicken Biriyani 

Spicy Kerala Chicken Biriyani.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 90 minutes
Serves: 3 people
Ingredients:

1. Chicken,cut into medium size pieces - 250 to 300 gms
2. Onion,sliced - 1 large( about 1 cup)
3. Tomato,chopped - 1 small( 1/2 cup)
4. Oil- as required
5. Water-as required
6. Salt-to taste

For Marination:

1. Kashmiri chili powder- 1/2 to 3/4 tsp
2. Coriander powder- 1tsp
3. Lemon Juice-1/2  tsp
4. Water-as required
5. Salt- to taste

For Masala paste:

1. Green chilies-3 to 4 nos( or more,according to taste)
2. Ginger- 1" piece
3. Garlic-3 cloves
4. Coriander leaves,roughly chopped- 2 tbsp
5. Mint leaves,roughly chopped- 1 tbsp
6. Cinnamon-1" piece
7. Cloves- 3 nos
8. Fennel seeds-1/2 tsp
9. Whole black pepper -1/2 tsp
10. Salt- to taste

For rice:

1. Basmati rice- 1.5 cups
2. Cardamom pods- 3 nos
3. Cinnamon stick,1" piece-2 nos
4. Cloves-5 nos
5. Bay leaf- 1 no
6. Water-3 cup( 1/2 cup more ,if required)
7. Ghee-as required
8. Salt- to taste

For Layering/garnishing:

1. Onion,sliced- 1 small
2. Cashew nuts- 12 to 15 nos
3. Raisins-1 or 2 tbsp
4. Garam masala- 2 to 3 pinch
5. Ghee /Oil- as required
6. Coriander and mint leaves,chopped-as required

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients listed under 'For marination' in a bowl.Marinate the chicken with this masala.Keep aside for 10 to 15 minutes.

Heat oil/ghee in a pan and fry sliced onion,cashew nuts and raisins ( for garnishing) separately until it turns golden brown. Keep aside.

Combine all the ingredients listed under 'For masala paste' in a blender and grind to form a smooth paste.Keep aside.

                 

To prepare Chicken Masala,Heat ghee /oil in a pan,add onion and saute until it turns golden brown.

Add tomato and saute until it turns mushy.

Add the prepared masala paste and saute until raw smell leaves. 

Add marinated chicken  ,mix well and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.Add 1/2 cup water and salt to taste,mix well .Cover and cook until chicken is done.(Check in between,give it a stir and add more water if required)

Remove the lid,cook until gravy turns thick.

To prepare rice ,heat ghee in a pan,add cardamom,cinnamon,cloves and bay leaf.Saute for few seconds or until fragrant.Add washed and drained rice and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.Add water and salt to taste.Bring this to a boil.Reduce flame to low,cover and cook until it is 90 % done and water is completely absorbed.Allow it to cool completely.

For layering,Coat the bottom and sides of the baking dish with ghee.Add a layer of cooked rice.

Add a layer of the prepared chicken masala.Next add a layer of rice.

Sprinkle fried onion,cashew nuts,raisins,chopped coriander /mint leaves, 1 pinch garam masala and few drops of ghee on top.Add another layer of prepared chicken  masala .

Finally add a layer of rice.Garnish with remaining fried onion,cashew nuts ,raisins ,coriander and mint leaves.Cover tightly using aluminium foil.Bake for this for about 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 200 Deg C.(For stove top method,layer the biriyani in a heavy bottomed pan and cover it tightly using aluminum foil.Heat a tava/pan and place the biriyani vessel on top of the tava.Reduce flame to low and cook for about 20 minutes.)

Serve with onion salad

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of green chilies according to your taste.

Kerala Vegetable Biriyani

Kerala Vegetable Biriyani

Kerala style vegetable biriyani.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4 people
Ingredients:

1. Basmati rice- 1.5 cups( see notes)
2. Cardamom-3 nos
3. Cinnamon stick,1.5" piece-2 nos
4. Bay leaf-1 no
5. Cloves- 5 to 6 nos
6. Ginger,chopped- 1 tsp
7. Garlic,chopped-1 tsp
8. Green chilies,cut vertically-2 or 3 nos( or to taste)
9. Onion,sliced- 1 medium( 3/4 cup)
10. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
11. Kashmiri chili powder- 1/2 to 1 tsp( according to taste)
12. Garam masala-1/2 tsp
13. Tomato,chopped- 1 medium( 1/2 cup)
14. Thick coconut milk-1/2 cup
15. Cooked vegetables( beans,carrot,green peas,cauliflower)-1.5 to 2 cups
16. Coriander leaves-to garnish
17. Oil-as required
18. Ghee-as required
19. Salt-to taste

To garnish:

1. Onion,finely sliced- 1 small
2. Cashew nuts-10 to 12 nos
3. Raisins-1 tbsp
4. Oil/Ghee-as required
5. Coriander leaves,chopped-as required
6. Garam masala-1/8 tsp

Instructions:

Heat oil/Ghee in a pan ,add rice and saute for 3 to 4 minutes,pour sufficient amount of water(approximately  3 cups) and add salt to taste.Cook until rice is 3/4th done.Keep aside.

Heat oil/ghee in a pan and fry sliced onion, cashew nuts and raisins (for garnishing)separately until it turns brown and keep aside.

Now heat oil in a pan ,add the whole spices(cardamon,cinnamon,cloves and bay leaves.) and saute till fragrant.

Add ginger ,garlic,green chili and onion , saute till onion turn almost brown.

Reduce heat to low,add turmeric powder,chili powder and garam masala,saute till raw smell leaves.

Add tomato and saute till it is completely cooked ,and masala starts to leave the sides of the pan.

Pour in the coconut milk and add salt to taste.Add the cooked vegetables and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on low flame or until the gravy turns thick.Switch off the stove ,add coriander leaves and mix well.

In a heavy bottomed pan arrange the vegetable masala and cooked rice in layers.Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves , garam masala( 1/8 tsp)  and few drops of ghee(adding ghee is optional) on each layer of rice.Garnish with fried onions,cashew nuts and raisins.Cover the vessel with aluminium foil.

Preheat oven to 200 deg C.Bake this  for about 10 to 12 minutes.(For stove top method,heat a tava/dosa pan and place the biriyani vessel on top of the tava,reduce flame to low and cook for about 20 minutes.)

Serve with onion salad.

NOTES

• If you like more masala for the biriyani ,use 1 and 1/4 cup rice ( like in the pic) or use 1.5 cups rice for a milder version.(I usually get about 3.5 cups cooked rice from 1 cup basmati rice.)