Prepare Something Special For Your Brother On Rakhi 2011

By Author: Vishal Shetty
Total Articles: 55
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Any upcoming festivals and occasions are awaited eagerly by all as they get to meet their long distant relatives. ‘Raksha Bandhan’ or Rakhi, is one festival which every sibling looks forward as it is celebrated to honour the eternal bond of love between brothers and sisters. If due to some reasons you cannot be with your brother on this festival then you can always make him feel loved and cherished by sending Rakhi to India along with gifts through the various e-gifting portals.

Amongst several such portals, GiftstoIndia24x7.com is one site which has been helping non-resident Indians to send rakhi to India along with gifts on this glorious festival. If you browse through our ‘Rakhi’ section, you will come across a wide collection of items which you can send as Rakhi Gifts. For more gift ideas, you can browse through our ‘Gifts for brothers’ category.

If you want to try something different for your brother on Rakhi 2011, then you can surprise him by cooking for his something special. Below is the recipe of Hyderabad Veg Biryani which you can prepare for your dear brother.

Ingredients Required:

The ...
... Rice:
1 and half cup basmati rice
2 black cardamoms
2 green cardamoms
1 cinnamon of 1 inch
2 cloves
2 mace strands
3 cups water
1 bay leaf
salt

The Vegetable Gravy:
1/2 cup frozen/fresh peas
1/2 medium sized cauliflower, florets removed
1 medium sized potato, cubed
1 cup of chopped french beans
1 medium sized carrot, diced
1 green chili, slit
2 cloves
1 and half onion, finely sliced
2 tbsp julienned ginger
tbsp chopped garlic
2 green cardamom
2 black cardamoms
2 mace strands
2 tbsp cashew nuts
1 cinnamon of 1 inch
1 bay leaf
100gms whisked curd
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp almonds, blanched, peeled and sliced
1/2 tsp red chili powder/cayenne pepper
1 tbsp sultanas/raisins
3 tbsp ghee
salt

Herbs and Spices for the assembling:
a few saffron strands
1/2 cup mint leaves
1/2 cup chopped coriander/cilantro leaves
1 tbsp milk

Cooking the Rice:
1. Clean the rice and water soak it in water for 30 minutes.
2. Cook the rice till its 3/4th done.
3. Add the pre-soaked rice and all the spices mentioned above, salt in the container.
4. Cook till the rice is almost done.

Making the Vegetable Gravy:
1. You can use a pressure cooker to cook.
2. Heat ghee in the container.
3. Add cardamoms, mace, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves. Fry the garam masala till they crackle.
4. Now add the onions. Fry the onions till golden brown.
5. Add the green chilli, ginger and garlic. Fry for a minute.
6. Add the turmeric and red chili powder ans stir.
7. Now add the vegetables and stir for a minute.
8. Add the curd/yoghurt. Stir and then add 3/4 cup water plus salt. Stir the mixture well.
9. If using a pressure cooker for cooking the veggies, cover the cooker with a lid and pressure cook for 2 minutes.

Assembling the Biryani and slow cooking it on Dum:
1. Warm the milk and add saffron. Let this saffron-milk mixture cool. Add the curd to this mixture and mix well.
2. In the same container with the cooked vegetables, sprinkle half each of saffron-flavored curd/yoghurt, mint and coriander leaves.
3. Now spread half of the rice.
4. Sprinkle the remaining saffron-flavored curd/yoghurt, mint and coriander leaves.
5. Spread the remaining rice.
6. Place a moist cloth on top.
7. Cover with a lid.
8. Then seal with wheat flour dough and place a heavy weight on the lid.
9. Place the sealed container on the gas stove at low fire.
10. Cook for 20-25 minutes more.

While serving this delicious dish to your brother, make sure you equally serve the vegetables as well as rice.