Learn how to make easy Chettinad Biriyani with detailed step by step pictures. Chettinadu Style Vegetable Biriyani recipe, Chettinadu Veg Biryani recipe - perfect Sunday lunch biriyani recipe for all vegetarians!
How to Make Chettinad Biryani | Chettinadu Style Vegetable Biryani
First, wash and soak the rice in 2 cups of water for atleast 20 mins. In a thick bottomed pan, heat ghee. Add all the items under Biryani masala tempering and fry for 10-20 secs. Add cashews (if using) and fry until golden brown. Add chopped onions along with slit green chillies. Fry until translucent.
Add ginger garlic paste and fry for 2 mins until the raw smell is gone. Add finely chopped coriander and mint leaves. Once they are wilted, add chopped tomatoes. Keep cooking until the tomatoes are mushy.
Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chilli powder and garam masala powder. Keep frying until the raw smell of the powders is gone. Add chopped vegetables and stir fry.
Keep frying the vegetables on low flame for 2-3 mins. Add ¼th cup of the water to the vegetables and cook on medium flame until the vegetables are half cooked. Add the water used to soak the rice and add salt as required. Let the water come to a boil.
Add the soaked rice to the boiling water. Reduce the flame to low and keep the Biryani covered. After 12-15 mins, as all the water is absorbed and the rice looks cooked, switch off the flame. Let the Biriyani rest for 7-10mins before mixing it all up.
Serve hot with extra fried cashews/ghee with onion raita or thick curd/yogurt on the side.
Notes
Marati Moggu, Kalpasi and Star Anise are absolutely necessary to make this biryani and to give it the Chettinad touch.
Seeraga Samba rice is highly recommended for the perfect Chettinad biryani, if not available – basmati rice can be used.
I did not have pearl onions/shallots while making this biryani but again, shallots do bring in an unique flavor.
I use 1.5 cups of water for each cup of Seeraga Samba rice, if required sprinkle additional water while the rice is cooking.
Adjust red chilli powder or green chillies as per spice preference. Don’t keep mixing the rice while Biryani is cooking.
Instead let it cook on low flame covered for at least 12-15 mins before opening the lid.
The resting time is very important to get proper non-sticky rice in the Biryani.