• Country: India
• Region/Province: General (Mughlai influence)
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Medium

Health Benefits

• Weight Management: High in protein and fiber from quinoa and vegetables.
• Heart Health: Low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Digestive Health: A good source of dietary fiber.

Dietary Categories

• ✅ Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free
• ❌ None

Nutritional Highlights (per serving)

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 10g
• Key Nutrients: Iron, Magnesium, Manganese

Ingredients (with quantities)

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1/2 cup basmati rice, rinsed and soaked for 20 minutes
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 green cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, cauliflower, beans)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• A pinch of saffron soaked in 2 tbsp of warm milk (or water for vegan)

Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat coconut oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
2. Add the sliced onions and cook until golden brown.
3. Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute.
4. Add the mixed vegetables and cook for 5-7 minutes, until slightly tender.
5. Stir in the turmeric powder and garam masala.
6. Add the rinsed quinoa and soaked basmati rice, mint leaves, and cilantro. Gently mix everything together.
7. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa and rice are cooked and the water is absorbed.
8. Drizzle the saffron milk over the biryani. Fluff the biryani with a fork and serve hot.

Chef’s Healthy Modifications

• Original ingredient → Healthier substitute: Using a mix of quinoa and basmati rice increases the protein and fiber content of this classic dish.
• Cooking method change for health: This one-pot cooking method is convenient and healthy.
• Portion/serving suggestions: Serve with a side of raita (yogurt dip) or a simple salad.

Cultural Context

Biryani is a classic Indian dish with roots in Mughlai cuisine. It is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish that is popular across the Indian subcontinent. This healthy version uses quinoa to create a nutritious and satisfying meal that is still packed with the aromatic spices and flavors of traditional biryani.