Kid Friendly Vegetable Biryani

Here's a kid-friendly Vegetable Biryani recipe that is mild, nutritious, and easy to make:

Ingredients:

For the Rice:

• 2 cups basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes and drained
• 4 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 2-3 green cardamom pods
• 2-3 cloves
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• Salt to taste

For the Biryani:

• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2-3 green cardamom pods
• 2-3 cloves
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mild curry powder (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, green beans, potatoes), chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped (optional)
• Fried onions (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

Preparing the Rice:

1. Cook the Rice:
   • In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the bay leaf, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, and salt. Add the soaked rice and cook until it’s 70-80% done. Drain and set aside.

Preparing the Biryani:

1. Sautéing Spices:

   • In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep pan, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.

2. Cooking Onions:

   • Add finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.

3. Adding Tomatoes:

   • Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.

4. Adding Spices:

   • Add ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, mild curry powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, and salt. Cook for a few minutes until the spices are well combined and fragrant.

5. Adding Vegetables:

   • Add the mixed vegetables to the pot and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.

6. Adding Yogurt:

   • Stir in the yogurt and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture is well combined.

7. Layering Rice and Vegetable Mixture:

   • Spread half of the partially cooked rice evenly over the vegetable mixture in the pot. Sprinkle half of the chopped fresh coriander leaves and mint leaves (if using) on top. Spread the remaining rice over the herbs.

8. Simmering:

   • Reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice and vegetables are fully cooked and tender. Ensure the rice absorbs all the moisture.

9. Resting:

   • Once done, remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

10. Garnish and Serve:

    • Garnish with fresh coriander leaves, mint leaves (if using), and fried onions (if using). Serve hot with a mild raita and a simple salad on the side.

Tips:

• Use a variety of colorful vegetables to make the biryani visually appealing for kids.
• Adjust the spice levels according to your child’s taste preferences.
• Ensure the rice-to-water ratio is appropriate to avoid overcooking or undercooking the rice.
• You can add a few drops of lemon juice to enhance the flavor.

Enjoy your kid-friendly Vegetable Biryani!