Ulava Charu Biryani
This is the recipe for Ulava Charu Biryani, which is made by cooking rice and vegetables in the extract of horsegram (called Kollu in Tamil, Kulith in Marathi, and Muthira in Malayalam).
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Ulava, Kollu, Horse Gram
- 1 Cup Basmati Rice
The Vegetables
- 1/4 Cup Potato Cubes
- 1/2 Cup Sliced Onions
- 1/4 Cup Cauliflower Florets
- 1/4 Cup Chopped French Beans
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Carrots
The Spices and Other Ingredients
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 6 Cloves Garlic, Crushed
- 1 tsp Chilli Powder
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 2 tbsp Thick Tamarind Pulp
- 2" Cinnamon
- 6 to 8 Cloves
- 4 to 6 Pods Green Cardamom
- 1 or 2 Petals Javitri
- 2 tbsp Oil
- Salt to Taste
Instructions
Preparing the Horse Gram Extract
- Wash and soak the horse gram in 2 cups water for at least 6 hours.
- Pressure cook the horse gram for 6 to 8 whistles till it is mashable.
- Drain and reserve the water in which it was cooked.
- Grind the cooked horse gram to a paste.
- Mix the ground paste into the reserved water and boil for 5 minutes.
- Strain out all the horse gram pulp. Discard the pulp and reserve the water. Our biryani will be cooked in this water.
Preparing the Rice
- Wash and soak the rice for 15 minutes in 2 cups water.
- Drain all the water from the rice.
- Set aside.
Making the Ulava Charu Biryani | Kollu Biryani
- Over medium flame, heat the oil.
- Add the bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, javitri, and green cardamom.
- Stir-fry for 1 minute.
- Add sliced onions and crushed garlic.
- Stir-fry till the onion is translucent.
- Add all the vegetables and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Add turmeric, red chilli powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the rice and mix well.
- Add 2 cups of the horsegram extract. If you have less than that, add some water to make up the volume.
- Add the tamarind pulp and mix well.
- Cover and cook till the Ulava Charu Biryani is done. Mix with a gentle hand at regular intervals.
- Serve with cold dahi and papad on the side.