Jackfruit (Kathal) Biryani
Advertisement
Many thousands of years back when there was no concept of "vegetarianism" in India, everyone ate meat. They caught game, killed and ate it and this included animals like Rhinoceros, Wild Boar, assorted birds like Quail, Pigeon and Grouse and of course the Royal Venison or deer meat which was one of the most treasured culinary delights.With the advent of the caste system and associated conceptual turning around of the society, certain vegetables were treated as "vegetarian meats" and they were primarily used as substitutes of meat namely Chicken, Mutton(Goat meat), Beef and Pork. Some of these vegetables were Jackfruit, Potatoes, Turnips, Radish, Soybean, Avocado, Beetroot and Tomato.Pure vegan products or "vegan meats" such as Tempeh and Seitan have come up to give vegetarians the same protein and nutrients animal flesh gives the "non vegetarian" population. I am very sorry to state here that there is an ongoing war between people who eat meat products and people who do not and each group tries to prove their stance and establish themselves as correct.It is advisable to respect each other's individuality and adopt neutrality towards any preference in the edible product category. Coming back to this delicious rice tongue pleaser, this is made the same way as you would make any non vegetarian Biryani with the only difference that we substitute Jackfruit as the primary ingredient and we cook the Biryani till the rice and Jackfruit take on the flavour of the added ingredients and the pieces of Jackfruit become juicy and succulent and the aroma of the lovely ingredients cooking in the handi pervades the whole house.Believe me when I say that though you may call the preparation tedious but when you taste the final product you will close your eyes and revel in the various masala amalgamations which this Biryani is popular about.This rice wonder was started in the Awadh province back in the 1800 when Nawab Wajid Ali Shah wanted something vegetarian as he was tired of eating meat but wanted the same taste and zayka or as we say "the subtle deliciousness" provided by the recipe!
Advertisement
Ingredients
For the Rice
- 2 cup Rice Biryani/Basmati rice - soaked for 30 minutes
- 1 tbsp Oil
The whole garam masala
- 4 Green Cardamoms elaichi
- 2 Black Cardamoms badi elaichi
- 5 Cloves laung
- 1 stick Cinnamon dalchini
- 2 Bay Leaves tej patta
- 2 Mace javitri
For the Jackfruit preparation
- 500 gm Jackfruit peeled and cut into cubes or triangles
- 2 cup Yogurt
- 2 teaspoon Red Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 2 tbsp Ginger garlic paste
- 1 tbsp Green Chili Paste
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tbsp Ghee
- 2 teaspoon Garam Masala or Biryani Masala
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Cardamom Powder elaichi
- 1 teaspoon Black Cumin seeds Shahi Jeera
Other Ingredients
- 2 cup Onions crisp fried
- 1/2 cup Coriander mixed and chopped
- 1/2 cup Mint Leaves mixed and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Saffron soaked in 1/4 cup warm milk and mixed with 1/4 cup thick Yogurt
- 2 teaspoon Rose water (Kewra water) for sprinkling over the Biryani
Advertisement
Instructions
Prepare the rice
- Bring 2 liters of water to boil in a deep pan or handi and add the whole garam masala ingredients and the 1 tbsp Oil in it.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil and add the soaked rice to it. By the watch cook for 2-3 minutes till the rice is approximately 70% cooked.
- Drain the rice in a strainer or colander and immediately spread it out on a muslin cloth spread on a table or on the floor ensuring there is no moisture and the rice is cooled.
- Pick out the whole garam masala ingredients and store separately to be used in some other recipe. After 10 minutes of drying transfer the rice back into the now dry strainer and keep aside till needed.
For the Jackfruit layer
- Heat ghee in a handi or pot in which you intend to make the Biryani.
- Add Black Cumin seeds or Shahi Jeera and after they splutter add the Ginger-Garlic and Green Chili pastes and fry on medium heat till the raw smell disappears. Now add the deep fried Jackfruit pieces and take the handi off heat.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and spices including 3/4 cup of the crisp deep fried Onions.
- The mixture would have become creamy because of the addition of the Yogurt and this would give the Jackfruit a succulent texture and the spices would provide a delicious tang.
Layering the Biryani and cooking it
- Place a tawa(griddle) on high heat for 2-3 minutes and lower the heat to medium. In the Biryani handi containing the prepared Jackfruit, take out 1/4 of the mixture on a separate plate.
- Now ladle half the rice and spread evenly with a spatula to spread over the whole handi covering the Jackfruit mixture. Top this with half of the remaining crisp fried Onion, half of the coriander mint and half of the saffron-yogurt mixture.
- Spoon the reserved Jackfruit mix over the rice and level the top. Ladle remaining rice on this and top with the remaining crispy fried Onions, coriander mint and saffron yogurt mixtures.
- Seal the handi with some dough applied on the rim of the lid. Place this handi on the tawa and decrease heat to low. Cook the Biryani for 25 30 minutes on till a nice aroma emanates and rice is completely cooked.
- Open the handi and make a bed of Jackfruit on dinner plates. Ladle the aromatic rice on top and serve with Mirchi Ka Salan or any Raita of your choice!
Notes
Hottest Picks from Amazon
Recipe Nutrition
Calories: 443 kcal | Carbohydrates: 82 g | Protein: 10 g | Fat: 9 g | Saturated Fat: 4 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g | Trans Fat: 0.01 g | Cholesterol: 17 mg | Sodium: 845 mg | Potassium: 739 mg | Fiber: 5 g | Sugar: 22 g | Vitamin A: 632 IU | Vitamin C: 18 mg | Calcium: 182 mg | Iron: 2 mg
Advertisement
Recipes You May Also Like
Arvi Tikki
May 11, 2022
Posted under - Vegetarian
Healthy eating
Curd Ice Cream
May 11, 2022
Posted under - Vegetarian
Rava Mini Masala Uttapa
May 11, 2022
Posted under - Vegetarian
This instant breakfast idea is healthy as well as quick to make.
Mixed Cauliflower
May 11, 2022
Posted under - Vegetarian
In winter we can get fresh cauliflower but we should always carefully wash the vegetables. We should safe from insects.…
Starbucks Red Velvet Cheesecake (Using Homemade Cream Cheese)
May 11, 2022
Posted under - Vegetarian
It doesn’t get more American than the Red Velvet Cake/ cheesecake. Perhaps the most controversial cake, as debates on its…
Mohan Bhog (Coconut Sugar)
May 11, 2022
Posted under - Vegetarian
This recipe is made by GoIndiaOrganic products coconut sugar. I thought first I offer to Lord with this product
Articles You May Also Like
Best fruits and vegetables to eat during winters!
May 19, 2022
Every New Year brings lot of new things, promises, be it a trend, fashion, culture, lifestyle or food. Each one maintains an important place in…
Creative Recipes for Refreshing Summer Slushies
April 19, 2024
Refreshing summer slushies are more than just a delightful treat; they are a quintessential part of the summer experience, offering both physical and mental rejuvenation…
5 Delicious Desserts Your Restaurant Should Sell on the Menu
September 29, 2022
Are you an avid food lover? Do you enjoy trying new foods and flavors? Do you love to cook, bake and find new ways to…
Pointers On Microwave Oven Shopping
April 4, 2020
What are the appliances that can never be absent in your kitchen? Many people would say a microwave oven is a must in the food…
Benefits Of Non-vegetarian Vs A Vegetarian Diet
October 16, 2018
In nutrition, diet plays a vital role for us. Diet mean taking specific intake of nutrition to keep your body healthy. We can take diet…
Do Organic Products Benefit General Health?
November 18, 2019
Organic products contain natural elements that promote better healthcare. These resources benefit the health and body in different ways as they offer natural remedies and…
Amrita Iyer
No comments yet
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
What a brilliant way to describe a recipe and explain things in such a simple way. so true, We should respect individuality. Everytime I read the description of your recipes. I am amazed by your explanations and the knowledge which you have.