Soya Chunks Biryani | Meal Maker Biryani | Meal Maker Recipe

My earlier post on Soya Chunk Fried rice had lots of comments and what amazed me is that some never had success with soya chunks or did not prefer eating them since it is bland... Well I have a solution to that and its simple, try it and you will love it forever. Soya Chunks with its meaty texture is filled with protein and it can be paired with rice to make a lovely recipe that's not only simple but quick too. This is yet another recipe sitting in drafts for a while and until I get my camera sorted you can enjoy this recipe




Well this time I used Soya chunks and made it as a Biryani with peas. Did you notice not a list of vegetables but just the right balance can give you a fusion of flavors. This simple dish can be accompanied with a cucumber raita or onion raita or just plain curd. The husband loves it you see :-)

Recipe - Own
Cook & Prep time - 20 mins
Serves - 3 

Ingredients 

Soya Chunks - 1/2 cup
Basmathi Rice - 1.5 cup
Peas - 1/2 cup (frozen/ fresh)
Onion - 1 large, chopped
Tomato - 1 large, chopped
Green chilli - 2 slit
Whole spices - 1 bay leaf, 2 cloves, 2 cardamom
Whole Jeera/ cumin - 1/2 tsp
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Corriander powder - 1 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Bakc pepper powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt - as per taste
Oil - 1 tbsp

Method

- In a sauce pan boil water and add the raw soya chunks with salt and let it boil for 5-6 minutes until it puffs up. Remember it would be really hot, so handle with care. You can even keep it under cold running water and then squeeze excess water. Wash the rice and let it soak in cold water until needed
- In a pressure cooker or wide pan, heat oil add the whole spices and give it 10 secs to release aroma, add the jeera, green chilli and onions, saute until onions are transparent, add turmeric, tomatoes, ginger garlic paste and let it cook until mushy, mix well. 
- Now add the masalas and mix well, let it cook for 2 minutes, now add  the soya chunks and keep sauteing so that they absorb all the flavor from the pan add if too dry sprinkle some water. It should take 2 minutes to absorb all flavors. Check for salt and spice level
- Add the peas and mix well, add enough water and bring to a boil, add the rice and cover the lid. If using a pressure cooker follow your own method or cook until 3-4 whistles. In case you suing a pan bring to medium flame and let it cook with a covered lid for 6-7 minutes, undisturbed

Serve hot with raita/ curd

Cooks Wisdom 

- Remember to always boil soya chunks with salt, this helps them to absorb salty flavor
- If you feel that the soya chunks are bland simply add little milk while adding it to the masalas or simply include coconut milk and water to boil the rice
- You can use even potatoes and carrots to this dish other than peas
- You can use garam masala instead of whole spices and also replace masalas with your favorite biryani masala powder