A fragrant Kashmiri rice dish where long-grain basmati rice is cooked in a flavorful yogurt-based stock (yakhni) infused with whole spices. Aromatic, mild, and utterly delicious.
A creamy, tangy, and mildly spicy curry from Hyderabad featuring large green chilies in a rich peanut, sesame, and coconut gravy. The perfect accompaniment for a flavorful biryani.
Aromatic Vegetable Yakhni Pulao with tangy Mirchi ka Salan – a perfectly spiced, energy-giving meal for dinner.
This awadhi dish is perfect for dinner. With 829.13 calories and 16.05g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
18gfat
0.5 tsp Black Peppercorns
1 tsp Shahi Jeera (Caraway seeds)
1 cup Curd (Whisked until smooth, at room temperature)
1 tsp Dry Ginger Powder
0.25 tsp Asafoetida (Use gluten-free if needed)
2 cup Mixed Vegetables (Chopped carrots, beans, peas, cauliflower)
3 cup Water
1.5 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)
1 tbsp Mint Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Prepare Rice and Vegetables
Rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in fresh water for 30 minutes.
While the rice soaks, chop your mixed vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
Whisk the curd in a bowl until completely smooth and lump-free. Let it come to room temperature to prevent curdling.
2
Make Birista (Fried Onions)
Heat vegetable oil in a small pan over medium-high heat.
Add the thinly sliced onions and fry, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until they are deep golden brown and crisp.
Remove the fried onions with a slotted spoon and spread them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Set aside.
3
Prepare the Yakhni Base
Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the whole spices: bay leaf, black and green cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds, and black peppercorns. Sauté for 45 seconds until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to low. Slowly pour in the whisked room-temperature curd, stirring continuously and vigorously for 2-3 minutes to prevent it from splitting.
Once the curd is incorporated, add the dry ginger powder, asafoetida, and 1 tsp of salt. Stir well.
4
Cook the Pulao
Add the chopped mixed vegetables to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
Drain the soaked rice completely and add it to the pot. Gently stir for 1 minute, being careful not to break the grains.
Pour in 3 cups of water and add the remaining 0.5 tsp of salt. Gently stir everything together.
Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it cook undisturbed for 15-18 minutes.
After 15 minutes, check if all the water has been absorbed. If not, cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5
Rest, Garnish, and Serve
Turn off the heat and let the pulao rest, covered, for at least 10 minutes. This step is crucial for perfectly fluffy rice.
Open the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork.
Garnish with the prepared birista, chopped coriander, and mint leaves.
Serve hot with a side of cucumber raita or plain yogurt.
335cal
6gprotein
21gcarbs
27gfat
Ingredients
200 g Bhavnagri Chilies (About 8-10 large, less spicy chilies. Banana peppers also work well.)
0.25 cup Peanuts (Raw and unsalted)
2 tbsp Sesame Seeds
2 tbsp Desiccated Coconut (Unsweetened)
1 tbsp Coriander Seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 pcs Onion (Medium-sized, thinly sliced)
5 tbsp Vegetable Oil (Divided)
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
0.25 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
0.5 tsp Nigella Seeds
12 pcs Curry Leaves
1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (For color and mild heat)
2 tbsp Tamarind Paste (Or soak a lemon-sized ball of tamarind in 1/2 cup hot water and extract the pulp)
1 tsp Jaggery (Grated, or use brown sugar)
1.5 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
2 cup Water (Warm)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Prepare and Fry the Chilies
Wash the green chilies and pat them dry. Make a lengthwise slit on one side, keeping the stem intact. Optionally, remove the seeds for less heat.
Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Carefully place the chilies in the pan and shallow-fry for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they develop light blisters on the skin.
Remove the fried chilies from the pan and set them aside.
2
Roast the Masala Ingredients
In the same pan (no need to add more oil), dry roast the peanuts on low heat until aromatic and lightly browned. Transfer to a plate.
Next, add the sesame seeds and roast for 1-2 minutes until they start to pop. Add them to the plate with the peanuts.
Add the desiccated coconut and roast for about 1 minute until it turns light golden brown. Transfer to the plate.
Finally, roast the coriander and cumin seeds together for 30-40 seconds until fragrant. Add them to the plate and let all roasted ingredients cool completely.
3
Sauté Onions and Grind the Paste
In the same pan, add 1 tbsp of oil. Sauté the sliced onions over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until they turn soft and golden brown.
Let the onions cool slightly. Transfer the cooled roasted ingredients and the sautéed onions to a grinder jar.
Grind to a smooth, thick paste, adding a few tablespoons of water as needed to facilitate grinding.
4
Cook the Curry Base
Heat the remaining 2 tbsp of oil in the pan over medium heat.
Add the mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then add the fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds, and curry leaves. Sauté for 30 seconds.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until the raw aroma disappears.
Add the ground masala paste. Sauté on low-medium heat, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes. The paste will thicken, darken, and oil will start to separate from the sides.
Stir in the turmeric powder and Kashmiri red chili powder. Cook for another minute.
5
Simmer the Salan
Add the tamarind paste, grated jaggery, and salt. Mix well to combine.
Slowly pour in 2 cups of warm water, stirring continuously to create a smooth, lump-free gravy.
Bring the gravy to a gentle boil. Carefully place the fried green chilies into the gravy.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. The gravy will thicken, and you'll see a layer of oil floating on top, which indicates it's cooked perfectly.
6
Garnish and Serve
Turn off the heat. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Let the salan rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot with Hyderabadi biryani, pulao, or plain steamed rice.
