Hyderabadi Veg Biryani

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice, soaked
• 2 cups mixed vegetables and/or paneer
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 onions, sliced (fried till golden - birista)
• 1.5 tbsp Hyderabadi biryani masala
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• Mint, coriander, fried onions, saffron milk, ghee, salt

Method

1. Marinate vegetables/paneer in yogurt, biryani masala, ginger-garlic paste and half the fried onions for 30 minutes.
2. Parboil rice with whole spices until 70% cooked; drain.
3. Cook the marinated mixture in ghee till nearly done and the raw yogurt smell is gone.
4. Layer the parboiled rice on top, add mint, coriander, remaining fried onions and saffron milk.
5. Seal the pot with a tight lid (or dough) and cook on a low flame (dum) for 20 minutes; rest 5 minutes before opening and serve with raita.