Soya chunk dum biryani

Soya chunks or Soybean protein is a "complete protein" since it provides all of the essential amino acids for human nutrition. I made dum biryani with soya chunks, it came out with nice flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup – Basmati rice
• 1/2 cup – Soya chunks
• 1 no – Onion ( cut lengthwise thinly)
• 1 no – Tomato
• 2 tsp –Ginger& garlic paste
• 2 or 3 – Green chili(slit open)
• ¼ tsp – Turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp – Red chili powder (as needed)
• 1 tbsp – Bombay biryani masala(shan brand)
• 1tbsp – Curd
• 1 tbsp –mint leaves(finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp –coriander leaves(finely chopped)
• 1 ½ to 2 cup –Water ( for dum biryani i use 1:2 ratio)
• Salt as per taste

Seasonings:

• 1 1/2 tbsp – Oil/Butter
• 1 no – cinnamon stick
• 2 or 3 no – clove
• 1 no – Bay leaf
• 1 no – Cardamom
• 1/4 tsp – Fennel seeds

For garnishing:

• 1 no – Onion (cut lengthwise thinly)
• 6 no-Cashew nuts
• 5 or 6 no – Raisin
• 1 tbsp –Ghee

Preparation method:

Making of soya chunk:

1. Wash and boil soya chunks in water for 5 mins.Once done soak cooked soya chunks in cold water for 2 mins and squeeze out the water, do it twice to get rid of the soya smell.
2. Take a bowl, add soya chunks ,little chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt, mix well and marinate for 5 mins.
3. Heat ghee in the pan, saute marinated soya chunks for 2 to 3 mins over medium flame till it gets dried. Set aside.

Making of dum biryani:

1. Soak Basmati rice for 30 mins, set aside. Heat ghee in a pan and fry sliced onion, cashew nuts and raisins (for garnishing) separately until it turns brown and keep aside.
2. Now heat oil in a pan, Season with items given for seasoning. Add ginger garlic, green chili and chopped onion along with little salt and sauté till onion turn golden brown.
3. Add tomato and saute till it is completely cooked. Now add all the masala like turmeric powder, chili powder and biryani masala, saute till raw smell goes.
4. Add chopped mint leaves and coriander leaves and saute for a while. Then add 1 tbsp curd fry for some time.
5. Now add 2 cups of water and required salt bring it to boil. Then add rice and cover it with a lid, cook until ¾ done. Remove the vessel from the stove and place a wide pan with water. Allow to heat.
6. Reduce to low flame and place back the biryani vessel on the wide pan and cook biryani for 20-25 mins. Turn off heat and now add sauteed soya chunks. Do not remove lid for 10 mins.
7. Finally garnish with fried onions, cashew nuts and raisins. Serve hot with raita and curry of your choice.

Notes:

• You can also pressure cook this biryani instead of putting in dum.
• I used mini soya chunks in this recipe.
• If you prefer you can also add vegetables like carrot, beans, peas in this biryani along with soya chunk.