Hyderabadi Vegetarian Thali with Vegetable biryani, Khatti dal, Mirchi ka Salan, Burani raita, Naan and Shahi tukda for dessert. A filling and amazing meal.
For the final day of this week’s BM under Thalis & Spreads, I have a delectable Hyderabadi Vegetarian Thali. I have included the recipe for Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani in the post.
Dishes in Vegetarian Hyderabadi Thali:
This spread is inspired from Vaishali’s Hyderabadi thali, but mine has about 5 dishes less than hers. Vaishali is the queen of creating amazing thalis/ spreads from all around the globe. Her blog is a great resource while creating menus for parties — so don’t forget to check it out here.
Here’s what I have in my Hyderabadi thali:
- Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani (recipe follows)
- Hyderabadi Khatti Dal
- Mirchi Ka Salan (I used shishito peppers to make the salan)
- Bhurani Raita
- Shahi Tukda (sweet fried bread served in creamy rabri)
- Naan (store bought)
What is Biryani:
The word Biryani comes from persian word Birian, which means ‘fried before cooking’. Word Birinj means ‘rice’ in Persian. So, basically the ingredients are fried and then cooked under ‘dum’ or ‘steamed’ until all the flavors mingle. 
Vegetable Biryani:
I love making biryani and keep trying new recipes. As I was going through my recipe books, I found this recipe in one of my notes. So wanted to give it a try.
Like many biryani recipe this one also has a very long list of ingredients and many steps to follow that seem to be daunting. But it’s not, most of the ingredients are the same for the various layers — so make sure to read the recipe before attempting to make it.
Freshly made Biryani Masala:
This recipe uses freshly ground biryani masala and adds lot of flavor to the dish. Basmati rice is cooked with whole spices until about 85%~90% cooked and then layered with the spicy vegetable mixture and then baked in the oven or on the stove-top.
To Serve:
I served the biryani with mirchi ka salan, khatti dal and burani raita. This menu is special enough to serve for guests. With a little preparation, this meal can make any weekend special.
Lets check out what my fellow marathoners have cooked today for BM# 74.
Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani
Ingredients
For the Rice Layer:
- 2 cups Basmati Rice (soaked for at least 30 minutes)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Oil
- 2 Cardamom pods, crushed
- 2 Cloves
- 1" Cinnamon stick
- ¼ tsp Shahjeera
- 2 tbsp Mint leaves, coarsely chopped
For Biryani Masala (Spice blend):
- 2 tbsp Cashews
- ½ tsp Fennel seeds
- 2 Cloves
- 2 Cardamom pods
- 1" Cinnamon stick
- 2 tsp Poppy seeds
For the Vegetable Layer:
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 1 tbsp ghee
- ¼ tsp Shahjeera
- 1 Star Anise
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 Green Chilies, slit
- ¼ cup Mint leaves, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 1 Medium Onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Brown Onions*
- 2 tsp Ginger+garlic paste
- 2 Medium Potatoes, peeled and diced
- 8~10 Green Beans, chopped
- 1 Medium Carrot, peeled and diced
- ½ cup Cauliflower florets
- ¼ cup Green Peas
- 1 Medium Tomato, chopped
- ¼ tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp Ground Coriander
- ¼ tsp Ground Cumin
- ½ cup yogurt
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- To taste salt
Other Ingredients:
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2tbsp Cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp Mint, chopped
- Pinch of Saffron soaked in 2tbsp warm milk (optional)
Instructions
Make Rice:
- Add the whole spices to a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Drain the soaked rice and add to the boiling water. Bring to a boil and cook for 4~5 minutes or until the rice is 85%~90% cooked through. Drain the water and set the aside to cool slightly.
Make Biryani Masala:
- Dry fry cashews, fennel seeds, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and poppy seeds until lightly golden and aromatic. Cool slightly and grind to a powder. This can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container.
Make Vegetable Layer:
- Heat oil in a pan, add shahjeera, star anise, bay leaves and cook for 30 seconds. Next add green chilies, onion and mint leaves. Cook for 3~4 minutes or until the onion turns translucent.
- Next add ½ cup brown onions, turmeric, ginger+garlic paste and salt. Cook for 2 more minutes.
- Stir in the veggies and cook till tender, about 8~10 minutes.
- Season with salt, garam masala, ground coriander, ground cumin and the biryani masala.
- Next add yogurt and tomato. Cook till the tomato is mushy, about 5 minutes. Turn off the stove and add the lemon juice.
Assemble the Biryani:
- Lightly spray cooking spray in an oven safe pan or a pan to cook on the stove top.
- Spread all of the vegetable mixture on the bottom, followed by some of the remaining brown onions and all of the cooked rice. Top the rice with lemon juice, the rest of the brown onions, chopped cilantro, mint and the saffron milk. Cover tightly with a foil or a tight fitting lid.
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 15~20 minutes.
- Alternately cook on the stove top on medium-high heat for 3~4 minutes, then on low heat for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it sit for another 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make Brown onions by sauteing 2 large thinly onions in 2tbsp oil on medium flame until nicely caramelized and browned. Make sure that they don't burn.
- Alternately you can also used store bought brown onions.
Aruna
Fabulous thali; I am inviting myself over, Pavani. 🙂
Vanitha Bhat
Lovely to see this special Hyderabadi thali; looks delicious with beautiful photography! Looks delicious!
Vidya Narayan
The whole platter idea is brilliant! I am a big fan of wholesome variety of foods, though in controlled portions. I absolutely loved the flavourful biryani and can imagine how great it must have tasted with all the other components. Give me a bow of curd and this and I am sorted. Weekends should be like this.
themadscientiststskitchen
OMG! What a spread. I love the biryani recipe will try it next time Apeksha is here.
sujitha
Nostalgic platter with Spicy Veg hyderabadi cuisine..
Padma Veeranki
I think all my favourite in one platter…It’s totally fest for the eyes and tummy…Kudos to you dear for presenting such a gorgeous spread…Awesome share!!
Ruchi
I am a big fan of Biryani . Yours look amazing so tempting… Beautiful spread dear.. everything looks delicious
Jayashree
This is such a exquisite one, has all the essentials. in it. Loved that pic, shall try this recipe sometime.
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner
Who wouldnt like this yummy meal.. Simply the best..
Jagruti
That is the amazing spread, you must have worked so hard to cook all these dishes, which can be seen on the plate. Biryani looks awesome, feel like grabbing that plate!
sapana
I too love making the biryani masala fresh at home before making biryani, it adds so many flavors. Love the wonderful Hyderabadi thali spread.
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram
oh lovely!!!!! Look at the feast you have created. Lovely layers of the biryani.
Bhawana
wow, hydrabadi biryani looking so tempting, great you tried this, loved this recipe and a great list of ingredient shared.
Ritu Tangri
What a spread Pavani…..Awesom!! Your biryani is making me feel hungry 🙂
Sasmita
I can smell the flavors of this biryani. And the clicks are so wonderful ones
Wish I cud grab from here right now 😛
Lathiya
I love when the rice in biriyani is separate ..this looks a fabulous thaali..biriyani looks delicious
Avin
The Biryani looks super delicious. And that spread is making me hungry❤❤