Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Beetroot Biryani

I am sure the name is such a turnoff..I mean, we all love Biryani don't we.. and to think of it as red color dish..with beets is almost unimaginable right!?! Well, at least i would have scoffed at the very thought of it :).. I changed my opinion & fell in love with it when i had this for the first time in my in laws place!




This biryani is special and different for various reasons! Apart from the fact, its made of Beetroot & home ground spices not the usual biryani masala..this recipe has been a part of the household for 3 generations!!
My MIL learnt it from her MIL :).. This was a part of their Sunday Special dish & they would make this with raitha & potato chips..all home made! Well, i can't really think of myself doing the chips at home now.. but surely can do the biryani and make do with store bought chips :D! To quote my MIL" Its also a great way to sneak in veggies for kids too" :).. More reasons for you to try!!
I had done this when i started of with my blog & always felt i never did justice to the recipe.. As i made this, thought will share it all over again!

Ingredients
1. Beetroot - 2 cups
2. Carrots -  1 cup
3. Potato - 1/2 cup
4. Onion - 3/4 cup
5. Red Chilli powder - 1 tsp
6. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
7. Oil - 1 tbsp
8. Ghee - 1 tbsp 
9. Basamati Rice - 1-1/2 cup
10. Garlic paste -1tsp (optional)
11.Giner paste -1/2tsp
12. Bread Crumbs (optional)**

To Roast & Dry Grind
1. Coriander Seeds/ Dhania - 2 tsp
2. Fennel Seeds/ Saunf - 2tbsp
3. Cloves - 3-4
4. Khus-Khus/Poppy seed- 1tbsp
5. Oil - 1 tsp
(the key is to have poppy seeds half of saunf. Dhania,restrict to the quantity specified. It gives a nice flavor, excess will give you more of sambhar taste!)

Preparation Time!!
1. Soak rice for 20 minutes in water. Drain & pressure cook with 1-1/2 cup water upto 3 whistles
2. In a pan, take the oil & ghee. When warm,add onions, ginger-garlic paste and sauté well


3. Once the onion turns light brown, add finely chopped beetroot, carrot & potatoes and mix well. To this, add the red chilli powder, turmeric powder & salt and cook till well done ( Just like how you would make a stir fry subzi)

4. Meanwhile, as the subzi is getting cooked, in a pan, add 1 tsp oil and sauté all the ingredients mentioned in 'To Roast & grind table'.. Once the aroma wafts & the poppy seeds change color to light brown.. remove off flame..Cool & grind to a semi-fine powder


5. Once when rice is cooked.. spread it a large bowl and cool it completely. Drizzle a few drops of oil to the rice


6. To this add the cooked vegetable, add ground mixture and gently fold in with the rice


7. Bread crumbs sautéed in ghee can be added & mixed in the end along with rice..It tastes wonderful! Unfortunately i ran out of bread, so couldn't include it..

Served this with onion raitha & potato chips.. Tastes good hot & even good for lunch too!

* My Mil doesn't add ginger or garlic.. I use them to enhance the flavor!





Serving - 2-3 people
Duration - 45-50 minutes




Sending this to Chandrani's 'Lunch box Ideas', Ayeesha's 'Healthy Morsels', Krithi's 'Serve it Pressure Cooked' hosted by Denny, Kalyani's Heirloom Recipes hosted by Sara, Divya's Showcase






40 comments:

  1. Havent heard of Beetroot Biryani before.. But it looks so colorful and flavorful.. Thanks for linking it to the event. :)

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    1. Ya thats bcoz it my house special ;).. u welcome !

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  2. Superb preparation, I am a big fan of this pink color..

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  3. looks so colorful..awesome recipe dear!!
    Spicy-Aroma

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  4. super colorfull delicious biryani..ur clicks r awesome dear

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  5. Very tempting!
    http://followfoodie.blogspot.com/

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  6. Superb biriyani.I use to run if i c beetroot.But this biriyani is so tempting,will try soon.

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  7. Never heard of this... But it simply looks great... Will try this week end dear...

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  8. Frankly, I was pretty excited seeing the name beetroot biriyani. Immediately a red, flavorful rice came to my mind and after seeing your post I am not disappointed. Picture perfect! Would love to give it a try :)

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  9. Two generation old recipe with your addition, looks great and definitely healthy with beetroot.

    APRIL EVENT, ‘ONLY’- SNACKS & STARTERS + COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY
    FOODELICIOUS

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  10. Elders in my home dont allow to add beets in biryani,but I love it a lot in biryani. This must be my kind of recipe, should try :)

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  11. I am a big fan of Biryani but not as much of beetroot. Would it be slightly sweet? It looks awesome though

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    Replies
    1. since we mix rice, the sweetness gets lost in process.. so its tastes good :)

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  12. Very healthy and flavorful one pot meal. perfect for lunch box

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  13. Never tried biriyani with beets...Looks wonderful

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  14. Omg, wat a catchy,inviting and eye pleasing briyani..lovely!

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  15. love the bright red color. freshly grounded masala always give nice flavors to the dish

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  16. Beautiful coloured biryani! I am not a beetroot fan but this dish is looking tempting. Also, the ingredients have made me curious...will try on some later date.

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  17. Briyani with beetroot?? lovely idea..bookmarked it and thanks for linking the same to the event happening in my space..

    Saras

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  18. wow....biriyani with beets...yum..

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  19. That's really nutrituous filled biryani and very unique too !!!!

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  20. healthy n lovely colour rice...vl try this.
    maha

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  21. Rasi, this is a perfect meal you've made! I love the color, and I love beets too!

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  22. hi ras, just to say thank you for your sweet comments on my post “sago dessert” at sobha’s last week.
    beetroot biryani looks delicious and attractive... hmm would love to try this interesting recipe. do visit me tho i am a vegetarian foodie. Have a nice day

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  23. i happen to be a big fan of beetroot, so this recipe im definitely trying :)

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  24. very bright colour and super delicious ..loved your beetroot biryani..
    Anjana

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  25. Bright & colourful looking Biryani!

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  26. Nice Rasi...Biryani looks awesome. What a nice way of adding breadcrumbs for an added crunch. Love it.

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  27. I didn't know we have to call it biryani, I make this and call it Beetroot masala bath!!, sometimes I use G-G, sometimes I just stick to the powder, as elders in my house don't like me using garlic.., but I have never used Bread crumbs and I haven't used saunf so much, I don't like the too much smell of it I use just a 1/4 tsp!, will try your version next time.

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  28. Lovely biriyani nice way to use this beetroot which is never liked so much.. wonderful podi which is so unusual and nice variation!!

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  29. am definitely going to try this... beetroot and rice is one of my fav combos.

    Ongoing Event : Toddler Breakfast/Dinner

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  30. Thanks all for all ur comments.. Hope u try it & let me know how much u liked it :)..seeing all comments after ages..so sending one common reply :D

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  31. If I say I'm gonna prepare Beetroot Biryani today, even my husband would make a long face... But, this is such a nutrient packed tasty way to enjoying Biryani...

    Thank you for linking this tasty and delicious dish with Healthy Morsels - Pregnancy :)

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  32. wow very healthy recipe,luks os tempting....

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  33. This really is novel...love the colour...:-)

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Really look forward to your opinions, comments & suggestions :)...Glad you took time to say something on my dish..Its a yay! moment for me :)