Veg Dum Kofta Biryani

This is yet another recipe I got from my Bhabhi. I have made some slight changes for my convenience. It has become my favorite biryani now! It does take time to prepare but you will find effort is surely worth. Basic ingredient in its gravy is spinach. For making koftas we will use kabuli chana (Cheakpeas). So this is surely very nutritious too.

Ingredients for Gravy:
1 big bunch of spinach/palak cut lengthwise
2 tomatoes finely chopped
1 big onion finely chopped
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp jeera/cumin seeds
2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp dhania powder
2 tbsp oil
Salt

Method:

1. In kadhai heat oil. Add cumin seeds.
2. When they splutter add onion. Fry for 3-4 minutes till they turn golden.
3. Add tomato,ginger and fry till they become nice tender.
4. Add spinach, red chilli powder, dhania powder, garam masala and salt.
5. Add a cup of water. Let this simmer for 4-5 minutes till nice gravy consistency is formed.

Ingredients for Koftas:
1/2 cup kabuli chana/cheakpeas soaked in water for 5-6 hours
1 onion finely chopped
1 cup coriander leaves
3-4 green chillies
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
3-4 cloves of garlic
3-4 tbsp besan
Salt
Oil for shallow frying

Method:

1. Boil soaked kabuli chana till they are cooked.
2. Spread chana on a cotton cloth for 30-40 minutes till they become dry.
3. Grind kabuli chana with coriander leaves, green chillies, garlic to a coarse dry powder.
4. To this coarse powder add onion, lemon juice, salt. Add water just enough to make it moist.
5. Add besan for binding this whole mixture.
6. Make small flat koftas with this. Shallow fry them on both sides till they become golden.

Ingredients for preparing Biryani:
1 cup rice
1 tbsp oil
2 cloves
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Salt

Method:

1. Soak rice in water for 1/2 an hour. Drain water and keep aside rice.
2. In pressure cooker heat oil. Add clove, bay leaf. When nice aroma comes out add rice. Fry for a minute.
3. Add water salt and pressure cook the rice.

For layering Biryani:

1. Heat butter. When it melts add milk and cardamom powder. Bring milk to boil. Keep this aside.
2. Now for making different layers of biryani take a deep kadhai.
3. First take small amount of rice and add a layer of rice on the bottom. On this layer make a layer of some koftas. Add a layer of gravy over this. It should cover all the koftas.
4. Repeat this with a layer of rice, koftas and gravy. Finally on top add again layer of rice.
5. On the top add milk boiled earlier.
6. Cover this kadhai with aluminium foil.
7. Heat pan. Keep this kadhai on pan and heat pan on low heat for 25-30 minutes.

Before serving you can mix all layers in kadhai. But this way your koftas will be broken. So if you like you can also server without mixing.

Preparation time: 1 hour 30 minutes