4th year blog Anniversary & Mushroom n Soya Chunks Biryani

My blog turned 4, could not believe four years have passed by, such a wonderful journey, met new friends, tried new dishes, many sweet memories. On this special occasion is a special dish- Mushroom n Soya Chunks Biryani, mushroom n soya may sound normal but this biryani is very special, it is a marriage between Arab & Indo world, such a flavorful biryani, actually learnt this recipe from my friend, did little changes according to my taste buds,  this is a very healthy, lite n nutritious biryani, no ghee, no heavy masalas. just aromatic spices. Now this has become my family favorite, try them you will surely like. The list of ingredients may be long but very easy to make

You need:

Basmati Rice                             1 1/2 cups
Mushroom                                150 gms
Soya Chunks                            1cup
Onion (large)                            1nos
Tomato paste                            1tbsp
Shahi jeera                                 1/4tsp
Cardamom                                2 nos
Black Cardamom                      1nos
Clove                                        2nos
Cinnamon 1/2" piece                  3 nos
Bayleaf                                      1nos
Mace                                        1nos
Black lemon                             1 nos

Chilli powder                            1 tsp
Bahraini masala                         1tsp
Ginger Garlic paste                    1 tbsp
Coriander leaves                      1/2 cup
Pudina leaves                           10 nos
Green Chillies                           2 nos
Lemon (small)                         1 nos + 1 tbsp
Olive oil                                   3tbsp
Yogurt                                  1 1/2 tbsp
Cardamom powder                 1/4 tsp
Water                                     3/4 cup
Milk                                      1/4 cup
Saffron                                    a small pinch
Salt

Preparation:

Wash and soak the rice for 20 minutes.
Thinly slice the onions, wash the mushrooms, remove the stalk and slice them 1/4" thick.
Chop the coriander and pudina, Slit the green chillies.
Boil enough water with salt in a large pan, add  the soya chunks and cook for 5-6 mminutes. Scoop them out from water.remove excess water from the chunks, and slice them in half if it is big in size.
 In the same water add 1 tbsp olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, 1 cardamom, 1 clove, 1 cinnamon, Shahi jeera, when the water is on a  rolling boil , strain the rice and add to the water, and half cook them, drain and spread them on a plate.

Now heat 2 tbsp olive oil  in a pan enough to make biryani, add the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, black cardamom, mace, black lemon add the onions and fry till they are translucent. add ginger garlic paste and fry for a minute, add the mushrooms, soya chunks and green chilli and fry for 5 minutes. add coriander leaves and pudina fry for a minute, Add chilli powder, Bahraini masala, cardamom powder and fry for a minute, add the tomato paste, yogurt and cook for a minute or so, add 3/4 cup water, add salt and 1 tbsp lemon, Cook them for 5-10 minutes.
Meanwhile Heat the milk and dissolve the saffron.
Now to the gravy  gently add rice in a single layer sprinkle the saffron milk. tightly cover the pan with aluminium foil  and close with a suitable lid. Dum cook for 20-25 minutes. Open the lid, fluff them with a fork( do not mix)
Serve hot with raita.

Note:
Bahraini Masala is an arab spice mix, you can substitute with garam masala.
Black lemon is again used in arab cuisine, it gives the dish a little smoky flavor. If its unavailable then omit them