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Soya Ponni Rice Biryani | No Basmati One Pot Biryani

Born from a biryani craving with no basmati rice — this Soya Ponni Rice Biryani proves you don't need basmati to make a delicious biryani! Protein rich soya chunks marinated in curd and spices using a clever double paste technique — cooked with ponni rice, whole spices and star anise in one pressure cooker. Accidental recipe that became a family regular! 😄🔥🤍
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course: easy biryani recipe, Main Course, meal maker biryani, no basmati biryani, one pot biryani, ponni rice biryani, ponni rice recipe, pressure cooker biryani, soya biryani, soya chunks biryani, vegetarian biryani
Cuisine: SOUTH INDIAN
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups ponni rice soaked
  • 1 cup soya chunks boiled
  • ½ cup curd
  • For the paste:
  • 3 green chillies
  • Handful mint leaves
  • 10 garlic cloves
  • 1 inch ginger
  • Whole spices:
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ tsp fennel seeds
  • Small piece cinnamon
  • Cardamom
  • Cloves
  • 2 petals star anise
  • 3 onions sliced
  • 2 tomatoes sliced
  • 1 tsp biryani masala
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 5 cups water
  • Oil and ghee as needed
  • For marinating soya:
  • Half the ground paste
  • ¼ cup curd
  • 1 tsp biryani masala
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • Salt
  • For biryani base:
  • Remaining half paste
  • ¼ cup curd
  • ½ tsp biryani masala
  • ½ tsp chilli powder
  • Turmeric powder

Equipment

  • 1 pressure cooker

Method
 

  1. Grind green chillies, mint, garlic and ginger into smooth paste. Divide into two portions.
  2. Mix one portion with ¼ cup curd, 1 tsp biryani masala, 1 tsp chilli powder and salt.
  3. Add boiled soya chunks and marinate 15-20 minutes.
  4. Heat oil and ghee in pressure cooker. Add bay leaf, fennel, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and star anise.
  5. Add sliced onions and fry until golden.
  6. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
  7. Add remaining paste with ¼ cup curd, ½ tsp biryani masala, ½ tsp chilli powder and turmeric. Cook well.
  8. Add marinated soya and fry until well coated in masala.
  9. Pour 5 cups water and bring to boil.
  10. Add soaked ponni rice.
  11. Pressure cook for 3 whistles.
  12. Serve hot with onion raita.

Notes

Divide paste into two — one for marinating soya one for base!
Boil soya in salted water and squeeze before using.
Marinate soya minimum 15-20 minutes — longer is better!
Star anise gives authentic biryani aroma — don't skip!
Fry onions till golden for best flavour.
Soak ponni rice before adding.
3 whistles for ponni rice.
Ghee + oil combination gives best flavour and richness.
Serve with onion raita! 🤍