Olivia Carter
Meal Maker Biryani, also known as soy biryani, is a delicious and nutritious vegetarian option for biryani lovers. Made with soy chunks, rice, and a blend of aromatic spices, this dish is a favorite among both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
One of the easiest and quickest ways to make Meal Maker Biryani is by using a pressure cooker. This not only cuts down on cooking time but also infuses the flavors of the spices into the soy chunks, resulting in a mouthwatering biryani that is packed with protein.
To make this delectable dish, start by marinating the soy chunks in a mixture of yogurt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Allow the soy chunks to absorb the flavors for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, soak the rice in water for about 30 minutes and drain.
In a pressure cooker, heat some oil and add whole spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and bay leaves. Once the spices release their aroma, add sliced onions and fry until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw smell disappears.
Next, add the marinated soy chunks and cook for a few minutes until they are slightly browned. Add chopped tomatoes, green chili paste, and biryani masala powder. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Add the soaked and drained rice, along with water, and season with salt to taste.
Close the pressure cooker with the lid and cook on medium heat for about 2 whistles. Allow the pressure to release naturally before opening the cooker. Gently fluff the rice with a fork, ensuring that the soy chunks are evenly distributed throughout the biryani.
Serve the Meal Maker Biryani hot with raita or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal. This flavorful dish will surely impress your family and friends, and its ease of preparation makes it a perfect option for busy weeknight dinners.
In conclusion, making Meal Maker Biryani in a pressure cooker is a convenient and efficient way to enjoy this popular dish. With its protein-rich soy chunks and aromatic spices, this biryani is not only delicious but also a healthy choice for vegetarians. Give this recipe a try and treat yourself to a plate of flavorful and wholesome Meal Maker Biryani!
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Meal Maker Biryani In Pressure Cooker
Meal maker biryani is a delicious and nutritious dish that is easy to make in a pressure cooker. Follow these steps to prepare a flavorful meal maker biryani:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup meal maker (soya chunks)
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 green chillies, slit
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon biryani masala powder
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- A handful of mint leaves, chopped
- A handful of coriander leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Wash the basmati rice and soak it in water for about 30 minutes.
- In the meantime, boil water in a pan and add the meal maker. Cook for 5 minutes and drain the water. Keep the cooked meal maker aside.
- Heat ghee or oil in a pressure cooker and add the sliced onions. Sauté until they turn golden brown.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and green chillies. Sauté for a minute.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.
- Add the cooked meal maker, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, biryani masala powder, and salt. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the yogurt and add it to the pressure cooker. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the soaked and drained basmati rice to the pressure cooker and mix gently.
- Add 2 cups of water and close the pressure cooker with the lid.
- Cook on medium heat for 2 whistles and then reduce the heat to low. Cook for 5 more minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the pressure release naturally.
- Once the pressure is released, open the cooker and fluff the biryani using a fork.
- Garnish with chopped mint leaves and coriander leaves.
- Your delicious meal maker biryani is ready to serve!
Serve the meal maker biryani hot with raita or any curry of your choice. Enjoy!
Preparing the Ingredients
Before you start making meal maker biryani in a pressure cooker, it is important to gather and prepare all the necessary ingredients. Here are the ingredients you will need:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 cup meal maker (soy chunks)
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 4 green chilies, slit
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon biryani masala powder
- 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- Salt to taste
Make sure that you have all the ingredients in the right quantities before you begin preparing the meal maker biryani.
Cooking the Rice and Soy Chunks
To begin making meal maker biryani, start by cooking the rice and soy chunks separately.
Step 1: Rinse 1 cup of basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove any excess starch from the rice.
Step 2: Soak the rinsed rice in water for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, soak 1 cup of soy chunks in hot water for 15 minutes.
Step 4: After 15 minutes, squeeze out the excess water from the soy chunks and keep them aside.
Step 5: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
Step 6: Once the water is boiling, add the soaked and drained rice to the pot.
Step 7: Cook the rice on medium heat until it is 70-80% cooked. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
Step 8: Once the rice is partially cooked, remove it from heat and drain the excess water using a colander. Set the drained rice aside.
Step 9: In a pressure cooker, heat 2 tablespoons of oil.
Step 10: Add 1 bay leaf, 2 cloves, 2 cardamom pods, and 1-inch cinnamon stick to the hot oil.
Step 11: Stir the spices for a few seconds until they become fragrant.
Step 12: Add the soaked and squeezed soy chunks to the pressure cooker.
Step 13: Stir-fry the soy chunks for 2-3 minutes to remove any excess moisture.
Step 14: Add 1 teaspoon of ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute.
Step 15: Now add 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped tomato, and cook until they become soft and translucent.
Step 16: Add 1 teaspoon of garam masala, 1 teaspoon of coriander powder, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon of red chili powder, and salt to taste.
Step 17: Mix well and cook for 2 minutes to allow the spices to release their flavors.
Step 18: Add the partially cooked rice to the pressure cooker and gently mix everything together.
Step 19: Pour 1 and 1/2 cups of water into the pressure cooker and give it a good stir.
Step 20: Close the pressure cooker with the lid and cook on medium heat for 2 whistles.
Step 21: After 2 whistles, turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally.
Step 22: Open the pressure cooker and give the biryani a gentle mix to incorporate all the flavors.
Step 23: Serve the meal maker biryani hot with raita or any side dish of your choice.
Preparing the Biryani Masala
To make the flavorful biryani masala for your meal maker biryani, you will need the following ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Coriander Seeds | 2 tablespoons |
| Cumin Seeds | 1 tablespoon |
| Fennel Seeds | 1 tablespoon |
| Black Pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Cardamom Pods | 4 pieces |
| Cloves | 4 pieces |
| Cinnamon Stick | 1 small piece |
| Star Anise | 1 piece |
| Nutmeg | A pinch (optional) |
| Mace | A pinch (optional) |
To begin, dry roast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, black pepper, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, nutmeg (if using), and mace (if using) in a pan over medium heat until fragrant. This will help to release their flavors.
Once roasted, allow the spices to cool down before grinding them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
Your homemade biryani masala is now ready to be used in your meal maker biryani recipe!
Assembly and Final Cooking
Once the rice and meal maker curry are both ready, it’s time to assemble the dish and do the final cooking. Follow these steps:
- Take a large pressure cooker and add a layer of cooked rice at the bottom.
- Spread a layer of the prepared meal maker curry on top of the rice.
- Add another layer of rice on top of the curry.
- Repeat the process until all the rice and curry are used, ending with a layer of rice on top.
- Sprinkle some fried onions, chopped coriander leaves, and mint leaves on the final layer of rice.
- Close the pressure cooker with its lid and set it on medium heat.
- Cook the biryani for about 15 minutes or until you hear one whistle from the pressure cooker.
- Turn off the heat and let the pressure cooker release the steam naturally.
- Once the pressure has released, open the cooker and gently fluff the biryani with a fork.
- Transfer the biryani to a serving dish and garnish with more fried onions, coriander leaves, and mint leaves if desired.
- Serve the hot and flavorful meal maker biryani with raita or a side salad.
Enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make meal maker biryani!
FAQ
What is meal maker biryani?
Meal maker biryani is a delicious and flavorful rice dish made with soy chunks (meal maker), basmati rice, and a blend of spices. It is a vegetarian version of the traditional biryani, which typically includes meat or poultry.
Can I make meal maker biryani in a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can make meal maker biryani in a pressure cooker. Cooking it in a pressure cooker helps to infuse the flavors and allows the rice and soy chunks to cook evenly and quickly. It is a convenient and time-saving method.
