Vegan Biryani
This vibrant vegan biryani is a delightful medley of basmati rice, seasonal vegetables, and aromatic spices. Cooked to perfection, it offers a satisfying balance of flavors and textures, making it a hearty, plant-based meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Equipment
- Large deep frying pan or skillet
- Pot for cooking rice
Ingredients
- 240 g brown basmati rice
- 1½ tbsp rapeseed oil
- 20 g fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
- 1½ tsp cumin seeds
- 50 g unsalted cashew nuts, toasted
- 40 g flame raisins
- 30 g coriander, stems, and leaves separated and chopped
- 3 small cauliflower florets
- 2 tsp vegan bouillon powder
- 1 large aubergine, cut into cubes
- 400 g can chopped tomatoes
- 1 large red pepper, deseeded and roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Rinse the rice until the water is clear, then cook it in a pot of fresh water according to package instructions for about 20 minutes, or until it’s nearly tender.
- In a large, deep frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion, cinnamon stick, chili, garlic, and ginger, stirring to coat them in oil.
- Sprinkle in the cumin seeds, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the pepper and aubergine, cooking for 3-5 minutes until they start to soften.
- Stir in the curry powder, followed by the tomatoes and bouillon.
- Then, add the cauliflower, coriander stems, and raisins.
- Cover and simmer for 10 minutes on medium-low heat.
- Drain the rice and mix it into the vegetable mixture, gently tossing to combine.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 8 minutes until the rice and cauliflower are tender.
- Avoid adding extra liquid to keep the dish from becoming wet.
- Remove from heat, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then stir in the cashews and coriander leaves.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider marinating the vegetables in the spices for about 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the spices to penetrate the vegetables, enhancing the overall taste of the biryani.