I thought Q would be a tough alphabet for a dish, which is usually the case in our A to Z marathons. But this time Quabooli Biryani was one of the first dishes I decided upon because it is such an easy and delicious dish. Yes, it is a biryani and it is so easy. I made it for a Sunday lunch and we had a sumptuous meal followed by an afternoon siesta.

Quabooli biryani is the regular khichadi or pongal elevated ten times. It is a biryani made with lentils and rice and made flavourful with biryani masala and whole spices. Adding a simple mint and coriander chutney mix makes it moist and delicious. It is a must try for impressing family and guests alike.

Recipe from here

Serves 2-3

WHAT WE NEED

For the rice

1 cup Basmati rice

2 tsp Ghee / Clarified butter

Salt

Water

For the Chana Dal

1/4 cup Chana dal / Split Bengal Gram

1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

2 tbsp Ghee

1 Onion, medium chopped

1 tsp Ginger garlic paste

1″ Cinnamon stick

4 Cardamom

1/2 tsp Red chilly powder

1 tsp Biryani masala / Garam masala

1/2 tsp Cumin powder

1/2 cup Curds, whisked

For the mint mixture

1/4 cup Fresh mint leaves

1/4 cup Fresh coriander

1/4 cup Fried onions

3 Green chillies

Pinch of salt

For the assembly

3-4 Saffron strands

2 tsp Milk

1 tsp Ghee

4-5 drops Kewra water

1 tsp Rose water

WHAT TO DO

• Soak the rice for 30 minutes
• Drain and set aside
• Heat 4 cups water and add salt
• Add the rice and cook for 7 mins till the rice is almost done
• Drain the water and set aside the rice
• Soak the chana dal for 2 hours in water
• If you are in a hurry then soak it in hot water for 30 minutes
• Drain and set aside the chana dal
• Cook the chana dal, turmeric powder and salt in a little water till done
• The dal is done when you smash it with two fingers and it is squashed easily
• In a pan, heat the ghee and add the cinnamon and cardamom
• Add the onions and fry till translucent
• Then add the Ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes
• Next add the chilly powder, biryani masala and cumin powder and sauté for a minute on low heat
• Add the curds and mix well
• Sauté for a minute on low heat
• Add the chana dal and mix well
• Cook for 3-4 minutes and set aside

For the mint mixture

• Add the mint, coriander, fried onions and green chillies to a blender jar
• Add a little water and blend to a fine paste and set aside

For the assembly

• Soak the saffron in milk and set aside
• Heat a tava on low flame
• In a deep pan, add 1 tsp ghee and heat it till it melts
• Turn off the gas and add half the rice
• Add the chana dal mixture on top of the rice
• Layer the mint mixture on top of the chana dal
• Add the balance rice on top
• Pour the milk and saffron on top of the rice
• Add the kewra water and Rose water
• Top it with fried onions (optional)
• Close the pan with a kitchen towel and place the lid tightly on top so that no steam escapes
• Keep it on the tava and cook on medium flame for 10 minutes
• Serve hot with raita
• Enjoy!

This is my post for the Biryani / Pulao / Khichadi festival for the alphabet ‘Q’

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#99