Authentic Mushroom Biryani Recipe

?>I urge you to get all the spices from either an Indian grocery store (You will find all the spices listed) or at the Bulk Barn (a store where spices are sold loose).
Follow the steps I provided and your biryani will turn out absolutely great.
See the recipe box for the Authentic Mushroom Biryani Recipe that you can enjoy with your family.

o 3 Tbsp. of ghee or clarified butter
o 4 cups organic long grain or basmati rice
o 4 cups spring or filtered water for the rice
o 1-2 cups of vegetable stock for the rice (low sodium and organic)
o 2 cups of spring or filtered water for the mushrooms
o 1/2 lb. of shiitake mushroom
o 2 medium sized portabella mushroom or 1 lb. of brown capped button mushrooms
o 2 large organic or heirloom tomatoes, diced
o 2 large red onion, julienned
o 3 green chilis, slit in the middle
o 1/2 Tbsp. ginger paste
o 1/2 Tbsp. garlic paste
o 1 cup cilantro leaves, finely chopped
o 1/2 cup of mint leaves, finely chopped
o 1 sprig of curry leaves, roughly chopped
o 1/4 cup of raw or unhomogenized milk (Vegan: use almond milk)
o Himalayan rock salt to taste
o 3 Tbsp. of ghee or coconut oil to fry the onions
o 2 cinnamon bark or dalchini (1 inch each)
o 1 tsp. black cumin seeds or shahi jeera
o 1 tsp. fennel seeds
o 1/4 tsp. of mace and nutmeg powder
o 4-5 cloves
o 3 green cardamom
o 1 black cardamom
o 2 bay leaves (also known as Tejpatta or cinnamon leaves)
o 4-5 strands of saffron
o 1/2 tsp. cayenne powder
o 1 tsp. turmeric powder
o 3 tsp. coriander powder
o 2 tsp. cumin powder
o 1/2 tsp. red chili powder
o 1 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
Instructions
Mushroom and rice will be cooked in two separate pots and then mixed together after cooking.
Step 1: Spice Preparation
1. Make sure all dry whole spices and powdered spices are pre-measured and ready for cooking.
2. Dry roast the whole spices for 2 minutes and keep them aside. The whole spices mentioned above will become fragrant.
3. In a pan heat 2-3 Tbsp. ghee or coconut oil and add the onions. Fry them till they become crispy and brown. This form of caramelized onion is also known as 'bereshta'. This is a very crucial part of this recipe as 'bereshta' will give this biriyani the authentic flavour. Keep some 'bereshta' aside for garnishing.
4. In a small bowl pour the milk and add the saffron strands and let it soak.
5. Get the tomatoes and ginger-garlic paste ready. Align the curry leaves, cilantro, mint leaves and slit the green chilis from the middle.
Note: You can prepare the spices the night before. Make sure the milk and saffron is in the fridge. If the fried onions are crispy, let them cool and store in the fridge in a glass jar. Mix the ginger
Step 2: Rice
1. Cook the rice in water and stock until cooked.
2. Add the saffron milk in the pot 10 minutes before the rice is completely ready.
3. Cover and cook until rice is done.
Step 3: Mushroom Masala
1. In a large pot heat ghee and add the whole spices, and powdered spices.
2. Add the tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, curry leaves, green chilies, and half of the mint-coriander leaves.
3. Fry for 5 minutes.
4. After frying cover the pot and let the masala coo for 10 minutes. Add a little stock or water so that the gravy cooks well and does not get burnt.
5. After the masala or spice mixes are cooked, add the tomatoes and cook till tomatoes are mushy.
6. Add both the chopped mushrooms and stir gently so that mushrooms are coated
7. Saute for 2-3 minutes.
8. Add 2 cups water and stir.
9. Cover the pot with a lid and let the mushrooms cook for some 4-5 minutes.
10. Once mushrooms are cooked turn off the heat.
Step 4: Putting the Biriyani together.
1. In a serving dish start layering the rice and then the mushroom. First layer the rice and then the mushrooms and then the rice again. Do this until you use up all of the rice and mushroom.
2. Garnish with bereshta or fried onion, cilantro leaves.
3. Enjoy a bowl of mushroom biriyani with raita (yogurt sauce).