Chana/Chickpea Biryani

Ingredients:-

Basmati Rice - 2 cup

Cinnamon stick - 1

Bay leaves - 2

Cloves- 3

Cardamom-3

Butter - 3 tsp

Lime juice- 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Hot water - 4 cups ( add 1/2 more cup depending on the rice)

For Channa Masala

Chana/chickpeas - 1 cup

Onion chopped - 1

Tomato chopped - 1

Green chili chopped - 1

Ginger - garlic paste - 2 tsp

Chili powder - 1 tsp

Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Garam masala - 1 1/2 tsp

Yogurt - 1/4 cup

Bay leaves - 2

Salt to taste

Butter/oil

Mint leaves

For garnish

Cilantro

Cashew nuts

Onion finely chopped

Method: Soak Channa for 6- 8 hours. Pressure cook the channa with salt to taste till it is done 3 whistles will be ideal. You could also use canned Channa.

Cooking Rice: Soak the basmati rice for at least 15 minutes and drain well.Heat oil/butter in a pan and add the whole spices- cinnamon, bay leaves, cloves and cardamom and fry it for a minute. Add the rice and fry it for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently . Pour 4 cups of water ( some kind need 4 1/2 cups ) , salt and lime juice and cook it covered till the rice is done.

Making Masala: Heat butter/oil in a pan and add Bay leaves. add chopped onions and saute well for 5-6 minutes . add chopped green chilly, ginger-garlic paste and chopped tomato and saute for 4-5 minutes, or until oil starts to seperate. Add chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and salt and combine it well. Add the soaked and cooked channa and mix well.Pour 1/4 cup of beaten yogurt and 1/4 cup water ,mint leaves and cook it covered till it is dry. You can either mix the prepared rice and masala by simply adding the masala to the rice, mix well and simmering it for 4-5 minutes. You can also layer it in an oven proof or micro wave proof dish and arrange rice and masala in layers, cover it with an aluminium foil and bake @ 350 degree for 10-12 minutes in oven and 6-7 minutes in a microwave. For garnish, fry finely chopped onions and raisins till golden brown and sprinkle on top of the biryani with chopped cilantro.

Happy Cooking!

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