Mom's Easy Vegetable Biriyani

Ghee + Oil - 3 tbsp.

Whole Garam Masala - Cinnamon - 1 stick, Clove - 4, Cardamom - 2, Bay Leaf - 1, Star Anise - 1

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp Onion - 1, chopped Green Chilli - 2, slit Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 tsp Tomato - 1 Mixed Vegetables - Potato - 1, diced, Carrot - 1, diced, Peas - 1/4 cup, Cauliflower - 1/4 cup florets, Beans - 1/4 cup, diced, Mushroom - 1/4 cup, Bell Pepper - 1/4 cup, Baby Corn - 1/4 cup Salt & Pepper Turmeric - 1 tsp Chilli Powder - 1 tsp Fennel Powder - 1 tsp Garam Masala - 1 tsp Rice - 2 cup ( Seeraga Samba or Basmati), soaked in Water for 30 min. Coconut Milk - 1 cup Lemon Juice Cilantro

Heat Ghee and Oil in a pressure cooker.

Temper Whole Garam Masala and Cumin seeds.

Add Onion and Green Chilli; cook until the Onion turns translucent.

Add Ginger Garlic Paste and cook until the raw smell goes away.

Add the Tomatoes and cook closed until soft.

Add the Mixed Vegetables and mix well so the masala coats all the Vegetables.

Season the Vegetables with Salt, Pepper, Turmeric, Chilli, Fennel and Garam Masala Powder. Cook closed for 3 min.

Now add the Rice and mix well so the Masala coats all kernels of the Rice.

Finally add Coconut Milk and 3 cup Water. Cook closed for 12 min in medium heat and 5 min in simmer.

Garnish with Lime Juice and Cilantro.

Serve hot with Raita.

Adai

Idly Rice – 1 cup

Thuvar Dhal – 1/4 cup

Channa Dhal – 1/4 cup

Urad Dhal – 1/4 cup

Moong Dhal - 1/8 cup

Red Chilli – 5

Fennel - 1 tsp

Ginger - a small pc.

Onion – 1, chopped

Coconut – ¼ cup, grated

Curry Leaves - chopped

Drumstick Leaves / Spinach - 1 cup, chopped (optional)

Asafetida – 1 tsp

Salt

Gingelly Oil

In a medium bowl add Idly Rice, Thuvar Dhal, Channa Dhal, Urad Dhal and Moong Dhal. Wash the Rice and Dhal well until the water runs clear; then let soak in Water along with Red Chillies for at least 4 hours.

Grind the soaked Rice and Dhal to a fine paste along with Fennel seeds and a small piece of Ginger.

Transfer the Batter to a bowl and add Onion, Coconut gratings, Curry Leaves, Drumstick leaves, Asafetida and required Salt. Mix well.

Heat Dosa Tawa in medium heat. Grease with Oil. Pour a big ladle of Batter in the tawa and spread evenly. Pour Gingelly Oil around the corners of the Adai. Turn over and cook other side also.

Serve warm with Aviyal, Butter and Jaggery or any other South Indian Chutneys.

Ven Pongal

Rice - 1 cup

Moong Dhal - 1/3 cup

Ginger - 1 tsp, grated

Peppercorn - 1 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Ghee - 3 tbsp.

Cashew nut

Curry Leaves

Salt

In a pressure cooker add the Rice along with Moong dhal, Ginger and 4 cups Water. Pressure cook for 8 whistles.

In a mortar add the Peppercorn and Cumin seeds; crush using a pestle and keep aside.

Heat Ghee in a small skillet. Temper Cashew nut and Curry leaves. Once the Cashews reach a golden color add the crushed Pepper Cumin mixture and roast for a few seconds. Turn off heat.

Add this tempering to the cooked Rice Dhal mixture. Give a thorough mix.

Serve hot with Chutney, Sambhar and Medhu Vadai.