Soya meat dum biryani

Dum biryanis are always fantastic. I usually make them at home, specially when I expect some guest as the dum keeps the biryani really hot and also the slow cooking gives an amazing taste and flavour. This time I tried it with soya meat which is great substitute for meat and a vegetarian delight. Its simple, tasty and healthy. Here goes the recipe..

Ingredients:
Basmathi rice - 1 kilo or 4-5 cups
Soya chunks - 200-300 grams
Onion - 5 nos
Ginger paste - 1 tbsp
Garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Chilly powder - 2 tbsp
Tomato - 3 nos
Thick curd - 1 tbsp
Lime juice - 1/2 tsp
Mint and coriander leaves (chopped) - 1 cup
Coriander powder - 2 tsp
Pepper powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/4 tsp
Aniseed powder - 1/2 tsp
Veg stock cube - 1 nos
Ghee - 1 cup
Salt for taste

Whole spices like:
Cloves - 6 nos
Cardamom - 4 nos
Cinnamon - 1 stick
Bay leaves - 2 nos
Aniseed - 1/4 tsp
Mace - 2 nos
Star aniseed - 2 nos

Method:
Wash soya chunks in hot water, strain and again wash in hot water. Repeat process till the smell is gone. Keep the soya chunks aside. Heat ghee in a broad bottomed casserole, splutter all the whole spices and fry till the aroma is released. Add finely sliced onions and fry till golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for 2 min. Add chilly powder and give a good stir. Add chopped tomatoes and saute for 3 min. add cumin powder, aniseed powder, pepper powder, coriander powder and garam masala powder and give a good stir. Add thick curd, lime juice, chopped mint and coriander leaves and give a good stir. Now add soya chunks, veg stock cube and stir well. Add washed basmati rice, 8-10 cups water, salt for taste, and cook in a low flame. When its almost done. Turn off the flame. Cover the mouth of the vessel with aluminium foil and cover with the lid place it on direct charcoal heat, add more charcoal on top of the vessel and let it stand for 1 hour. Serve hot garnished with fried onions, cashew etc.

Note:
For best results soak basmati rice in water for 45min before cooking. Can add green chillies for flavour (I had excluded them for health reasons). Looking for some other biryani?