Vegetable Biryani
a recipe from a good friend who introduced me to turnips
This dish is substantial enough to be a meal on its own. It also makes a great side dish for a feast, like
Thanksgiving.
Simple Raita
2 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt
¼ t salt
¼ t cumin
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
Stir ingredients together and store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Spice Paste
4 cloves garlic
1 T minced ginger
1 jalapeno, seeded and roughly chopped
½ small onion, roughly chopped
1 t garam masala
½ t cumin
¼ t turmeric
2 T water
Combine ingredients of the spice paste with an immersion blender or food processor, puree until a
paste forms. Store in a small bowl until ready to use.
Vegetable Biryani
3 T olive oil, divided
4 whole cloves
1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick
1 ½ cups cauliflower florets, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 ½ cups sweet potato, peeled and diced small
1 bunch turnips, diced small
1 ¼ cups basmati rice
¼ cup raisins
2 cups water
1 t salt
1 cup frozen peas
1 T unsalted butter
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat 2 T of oil over medium heat in Dutch Oven. Add cloves and cinnamon stick and cook for 1-2
minutes. Add the reserved spice paste and cook until paste begins to stick to the bottom of the oven, 2-
3 minutes. Add cauliflower, sweet potato, and turnip and stir to coat vegetable completely with spice
paste. Add rice and stir to coat. Add raisins, water and salt. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then cover
the pot, and transfer to the oven for 30 minutes, until rice is cooked. Remove from oven, stir in the
peas, and then let sit covered for 15 minutes.
While the rice is in the oven heat 1 T oil and 1 T butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion
slices and slowly caramelize. Stir the onions often, constantly moving them around the pan until they
are golden and beginning to crisp.
Transfer the rice to a serving platter, sprinkle with the caramelized onions, and serve with the Raita on
the side.