Chickpeas biryani

Rice:

1 and 1/2 cup basmati rice

5-6 cups water

1/2 tea spn oil

1 tea spn salt

Method:

1.Heat water with salt and oil. When it starts boiling, add rice. When rice is 3/4th done, strain all water. Run the rice under cold water. Remove all water.

Masala powder:

4-5 cloves2″ cinnamon

1 green cardamom

A small piece of nutmeg (just a tiny piece)

1/2 tea spn poppy seeds

1/2 tea spn coriander seeds

1/4 tea spn cumin seeds

Method:

Roast everything and grind to powder.

chickpea(chole) gravy:

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 tea spn ginger paste

1/2 tea spn garlic paste

1 bay leaf

1 cup chopped tomato

1 cup chickpeas (soaked overnight and cooked in pressure cooker)

1 tea spn chili powder

6-7 strands coriander leaves

3/4 tea spn masala powder (mentioned above)

Oil,Salt as req

Method:

1.Heat oil and add bay leaf, onion, ginger, garlic.

2. Fry till onions turn brownish. Now add tomato, salt and cook till tomatoes are cooked.

3. Add the chickpeas, masala powder, chili powder and mix well. Cook till all water is absorbed.

4.Take off heat and add chopped coriander leaves.

Caramelized onion:Take half cup slitted onions.
Heat a little oil and fry till they become brownish. Take out on a paper towel.

Saffron milk:Take about 2 tbl spns of warm milk and add 7-8 strands of saffron. Let it stand for sometime to leave color.

Putting it together:Divide rice into 3 equal parts. Divide chickpeas gravy into 2 equal parts.Heat about 1 tbl spn of oil in a thick bottomed pan. Pour one half of the chickpeas gravy. Spread one part of rice on it. Now spread half the caramelized onion, half of remaining masala powder, one half part of saffron milk.On top of it, spread another layer of rice. Spread a layer of gravy. Spread remaining rice on top. Top it with remaining caramelized onion, saffron milk and masala powder. Add 1/2 cup water and 1 tea spn oil. Cover and cook on a medium flame.After about 10mins, keep the vessel on a tava. and keep the tava on burner (this is mainly to give double thickness to the biryani and distribute heat evenly). Cook on medium flame till it is completely cooked.Serve hot.

Serves : 4-5Preparation time : 90mins