south indian mushroom biryani

Spicy and hot mushroom biryani from south indian cuisine.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rice
• 4.5 cups water
• 200-250 gms mushroom
• 2 large tomatoes
• 1 large onion
• 1 or 2 green chili
• ½ tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 cup mint + coriander leaves
• ½ tsp pepper powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• ½ or 1 tsp garam masala powder
• 1 sprig of curry leaves (optional)
• salt

whole spices:

• 1 cinnamon
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 4-5 cloves
• 3-4 small cardamom
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 small star anise

Instructions

1. heat oil in a pan.
2. fry all the whole spices mentioned above till they become fragrant.
3. now add the onion and fry them till they become transparent.
4. now add the tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, curry leaves, green chilies, half of the mint-coriander leaves and all the spice powders.
5. fry for 2-3 minutes.
6. now cover the pan and cook the masala.
7. make sure the masala does not get burnt.
8. remove after some minutes and stir.
9. when the masala is all one and the tomatoes are all cooked & mushy, add the chopped mushrooms.
10. saute for 2-3 minutes.
11. add 4 cups water and stir.
12. cover the pan with a lid and let the mushrooms cook for some 4-5 minutes.
13. add rice and mix well.
14. add salt and the remaining half of the mint-coriander leaves.
15. cover and cook till the rice is done.
16. while serving mushroom biryani garnish with some mint or coriander leaves.
17.