Cherupayar/ Green Gram Biriyani

Ingredients:

1 cup cherupayar/ green gram

2 1/2 cup basmati rice

2 onion, thinly sliced

1 1/2 tbsp ginger paste

1 1/2 tbsp garlic paste

8 green chillies, slit or paste

1 tomato, thinly sliced

2 tsp kasuri methi

2 piece cinnamon

6 cloves

5-7 cardamom

1 tsp caraway seeds/ sajeerakam

2 bay leaves

3 tbsp yoghurt, sourless

3/4 tsp turmeric powder

3/4-1 cup coriander leaves

1/2-1 cup mint leaves

6 cup boiling water

salt

few cashew nuts

ghee

Preparation:

1. Soak green gram in 4-5 cups of hot water for about 4-5 hours. Drain it and keep it aside.
2. Wash and soak basmati rice in water for 15 minutes. Drain it and keep it aside.
3. Heat a thick pan and add ghee (or oil). Add bay leaves, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, caraway seeds and saute well.
4. Add sliced onions, green chillies and salt and saute well till transparent.
5. Add garlic paste and ginger paste and saute till raw smell disappears.
6. Add turmeric powder and kasuri methi and mix well.
7. Then add the yoghurt and stir well.
8. Add thinly sliced tomato and saute till soft. Add coriander leaves and mint leaves and mix well.
9. Add drained rice and mix well for 2 minutes. Add drained green gram/ cherupayar and mix well.
10. Add boiling water and salt, cover it and allow to boil. Then reduce the heat and cook in low flame till done.
11. Garnish with fried onions and cashew nuts and serve hot...........

Recipe Source: Magic Oven