Is Chettinad Mushroom Biryani healthy?

Yes, it can be a healthy meal. It's rich in protein and fiber from mushrooms and contains numerous beneficial spices with anti-inflammatory properties. To make it healthier, you can reduce the amount of oil and ghee used and serve it with a large portion of vegetable raita.

How many calories are in one serving?

A single serving of approximately 350g contains around 450-550 calories. The exact number can vary based on the amount of oil, ghee, and the specific type of rice used.

Can I make this biryani vegan?

Absolutely. To make it vegan, simply replace the dairy curd with a thick, unsweetened plant-based yogurt (like coconut or cashew yogurt) and use oil instead of ghee for layering.

What is 'kalpasi' and is it essential?

Kalpasi, or stone flower, is a type of lichen with a unique earthy, woody aroma that is characteristic of Chettinad cuisine. While the biryani will still be delicious without it, including kalpasi provides a more authentic and complex flavor profile. It's available at most Indian grocery stores.

My biryani turned out mushy. What did I do wrong?

Mushy biryani is usually caused by overcooking the rice in the initial step. Ensure you only cook the rice to 70-80% doneness; it should still have a firm bite. Also, make sure your mushroom gravy isn't too watery before you start layering.

Can I prepare the Chettinad masala powder in advance?

Yes, you can make a larger batch of the Chettinad masala powder and store it in an airtight container for up to a month. This will save you time for future preparations.

Chettinad Mushroom Biryani Recipe

Ingredients

For 4 servings

1.5 cup Basmati Rice

4 cup Water (for parboiling rice)

1 leaf Bay Leaf (for rice)

1 inch stick Cinnamon Stick (for rice)

2 cloves Cloves (for rice)

2 pods Green Cardamom (for rice)

1 tsp Salt (for rice water)

2 tbsp Coriander Seeds

1 tsp Cumin Seeds

1 tsp Fennel Seeds

1 tsp Black Peppercorns

6 whole Dried Red Chilies (adjust to heat preference)

1 whole Star Anise

1 tsp Kalpasi (stone flower)

1 tsp Poppy Seeds

0.25 cup Grated Coconut (fresh or desiccated)

400 g Mushrooms (cleaned and sliced)

2 medium Onion (thinly sliced)

2 medium Tomato (finely chopped)

1.5 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste

0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder

0.5 cup Curd (whisked until smooth)

2 whole Green Chili (slit lengthwise)

0.5 cup Mint Leaves (chopped, divided)

0.5 cup Coriander Leaves (chopped, divided)

3 tbsp Gingelly Oil (or any neutral oil)

2 tbsp Ghee (for layering)

0.5 cup Fried Onions (birista)

1 pinch Saffron

2 tbsp Milk (warm, for soaking saffron)

Instructions

Prepare the Rice & Saffron Milk (15 minutes)

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in fresh water for 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, soak the saffron pinch in 2 tbsp of warm milk and set aside.
In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Add the bay leaf, 1-inch cinnamon stick (for rice), 2 cloves, 2 green cardamom pods, and 1 tsp of salt.
Drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling water. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the rice is 80% cooked (al dente).
Immediately drain the rice in a colander and spread it on a large plate to cool slightly. This prevents it from cooking further.

Prepare the Chettinad Masala (10 minutes)

In a dry, heavy-bottomed pan over low-medium heat, add all the ingredients for the masala powder: coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, peppercorns, dried red chilies, star anise, kalpasi, poppy seeds, 1-inch cinnamon stick (for masala), 4 cloves, and 3 green cardamom pods.
Dry roast for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously, until they become fragrant. Do not let them burn.
Add the grated coconut and roast for another minute until it's lightly golden.

Aromatic basmati rice and earthy mushrooms cooked in a fiery, freshly ground Chettinad spice blend. This South Indian biryani from Tamil Nadu is a flavor explosion, perfect for a special weekend meal.

This chettinad recipe takes 70 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 570.9 calories per serving with 11.88g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.

Chettinad Mushroom Biryani

Ingredients

Nutrition per Serving

Instructions

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