Soya / Meal maker Briyani

Soya / Meal maker Briyani

சோயா உருண்டை பிரியாணி 

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice ( பாசுமதி அரிசி) - 2 cups

Soya chunks ( காய்ந்த சோயா உருண்டை- சிறியது) - 1 cup

Ginger(இஞ்சி) - 1-inch piece

Garlic ( பூண்டு) - 8 cloves

Mint leaves ( புதினா இலைகள்) - a bunch / few stalks

Green chili ( பச்சை மிளகாய்) - 2

Onion ( வெங்காயம்) - 1

Cinnamon sticks ( பட்டை) - 3

Cloves( கிராம்பு) - 3

Bay leaves ( பிரிஞ்சி இலை) - 2

Shajeera ( சாஜீரா) - 1/4 tsp

Butter / Ghee ( வெண்ணெய் / நெய்) - 3 tbsp

Lemon Juice ( optional) தேவையென்றால் எலும்பிச்சை சாறு - 1/2 tsp

Pour boiling hot water to the soya chunks and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
Wash and soak the rice with 1 cup of water( 20 minutes before cooking)
Chop onions. Grind mint leaves, ginger, garlic and green chili with a pinch of salt to a fine paste.
Squeeze out water from soya. Add fresh water, rinse and squeeze out the water again. Now add the ground paste to the soya mix well and you may want to shred a few chunks using your fingers. Let it marinate for 15 minutes.

In a pressure cooker, add 2 tablespoons of butter/ghee.  Add bay leaves, cinnamon sticks and cloves and shajeera.
As it splutters add onions and saute. After 2 minutes add the marinated soya. Add 3 cups of water and salt to taste. As the water boils, add the soaked rice with 1 cup of water. Pressure cook for 2 whistles.

Add the remaining ghee and toss the rice and mix gently.
Serve hot with a gravy of your choice or raitha.  

My Notes:

          Soya chunks or meal maker, as it is called in India, is a good source of protein for vegetarians. It is available in two sizes, one is big in size and the other is mini balls. I prefer the latter as it infuses well with the spices that are added into them. Marinating the balls and cooking lets that happen. Mint, chili, ginger all infused and cooked give a great flavour.

Soaking in hot water makes it softer and also further rinsing until the water is almost free of the frothy and sticky texture.

This briyani is balanced with the protein part and an interesting deviation from the regular vegetable briyani, peas pulav or the jeera pulav.  One of the good options to try and satisfy children's ever-demanding new varieties. 

Lemon juice lifts the taste of the dish to the next level. You may skip if you do not prefer it.  

I had made panner gravy to go with and also had leftover vegetable gravy ( chapathi' ) from previous day dinner. You can serve with any gravy or just fried pappads or chips. 

This plant protein obtained as a byproduct after the extraction of soybean oil. 

You can eat this protein in moderation, once in 10 days, as it is believed to have an effect on one's hormone level.