Soya Chunks Biryani or Meal maker biryani recipe is a perfect one pot dish which is healthy, flavorful and high in protein and can be prepared in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker or Stove Top just under 30 minutes.Soya biryani is a good lunchbox option for both kids and adults.
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I have made this easy biryani just with soya chunks but if you prefer you can add other vegetables with the biryani too.Considering the health benefits it offers, I try to include it in our diet often. You can prepare many dishes using soya chunks like soya chunks curry, soya chunks fried rice ,kurma ,nuggets etc.
Soya Chunks does not have flavor of its own, it has the tendency to absorb the flavors well. Today I am sharing with you an easy method to prepare Soya Chunks/Meal maker biryani using the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
WHAT IS SOYA CHUNKS?
Soya chunks are also known as meal maker or textured vegetable protein and is said to lower cholesterol levels, prevents heart diseases, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, controls hypertension, blood pressure etc.They look like meat, but are 100% vegetarian.
WHAT SOYA CHUNKS IS MADE UP OF?
According to Wikipedia , Soya chunks are made from defatted soy flour, a by-product of extracting soybean oil. It has a protein content which is equal to that of meat. It is quick and also easy to cook.
IS SOYA CHUNKS VEGAN & GLUTEN FREE?
Yes, soya chunks are both vegan and gluten free.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT SOYA CHUNKS BIRYANI
1.Take some Hot Water in a bowl and add salt. Take 1 Cup of Soya Chunks and Soak it in the hot water for 15 minutes till they soften and keep aside.
2.Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil or ghee and once it's hot add all the whole spices ,green chilly. Saute for 30 secs.
3.Add sliced onions, ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown in color - stir regularly.
4.Then add mint leaves, tomatoes ,cook until tomatoes are soft.
5.Add yogurt/curd, turmeric powder, biryani powder, garam masala and give a quick stir.
6.Add soaked soya chunks(squeeze excess water) and cook for 1-2 minutes.Keep stirring else masala paste may get burnt.
7.Add rinsed Basmati Rice, water, salt and give a stir .
8.Close the lid on the pot.Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 6 minutes.
9.After Pot beeps, wait for NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE(NPR).Remove lid away from you, garnish with Cilantro.
10.Pressure cooker Soya Biryani/Meal Maker recipe is ready.Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.
TIPS & VARIATIONS TO MAKE SOYA CHUNKS BIRYANI
- Vegans can skip ghee and use any kind of vegetable oil.
- Vegans can skip yogurt and add juice of half lemon or use plant based yogurt.
- You can use any vegetables of your choice like green peas, carrot, green beans along with soya chunks.
- Increase or decrease spices accordingly.
- You can also do a Quick Release(QR) once the Pot beeps if you less time.
- You can also Mix together soya nuggets, water and salt in a bowl and cook in the microwave for 2-3 minutes to save more time.
CHECKOUT MY OTHER INSTANT POT RICE RECIPES
INSTANT POT SOYA CHUNKS BIRYANI RECIPE CARD
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Instant Pot Soya Chunks Biryani
Ingredients
Measuring cup used [1 cup = 250 ml]
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil or ghee
- 2 Slit Green Chilly
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger-garlic
- 1 medium onion ,thinly sliced
- ¼ cup mint leaves (15-20 leaves)
- 1 large tomato ,finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons yogurt (curd) or non dairy yogurt
- 1 teaspoon biryani masala powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 cup soya chunks/granules i used nutrela brand,available in indian grocery store
- 1 cup basmati rice(long grain rice)
- 1.5 cups water
- salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons cilantro (coriander leaves)
Whole Spices
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 2 cardamom
- 3 cloves
- 1 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon cumin(Jeera Seeds)
Instructions
INSTANT POT METHOD
- Take some Hot Water in a bowl and add salt. Take 1 Cup of Soya Chunks and Soak it in the hot water for 15 minutes till they soften and keep aside.
- Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil or ghee and once it's hot add all the whole spices ,green chilly. Saute for 30 secs.
- Add sliced onions, ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown in color - stir regularly.
- Then add mint leaves, tomatoes ,cook till tomatoes are soft.
- Add yogurt/curd,turmeric powder,biryani powder,garam masala and give a quick stir.
- Add soaked soya chunks(squeeze excess water) and cook for 1-2 minutes.Keep stirring else masala paste may get burnt.
- Add washed Basmati Rice,water,salt and give a stir .
- Close the lid on the pot.Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 6 minutes
- After Pot beeps,wait for NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE(NPR).
- Remove lid away from you,garnish with Cilantro.
- Soya Biryani is ready.Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.
INDIAN PRESSURE COOKER METHOD
- Take some Hot Water in a bowl and add salt. Take 1 Cup of Soya Chunks and Soak it in the hot water for 15 minutes till they soften and keep aside.
- In a Pressure cooker ,Add oil or ghee and once it's hot add all the whole spices ,green chilly. Saute for 30 secs.
- Add sliced onions,ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown in color - stir regularly.
- Then add Mint leaves,tomatoes ,cook till tomatoes are soft.
- Add yogurt/curd,turmeric powder,biryani powder,garam masala and give a quick stir.
- Add soaked soya chunks(squeeze excess water) and cook for 1-2 minutes.Keep stirring else masala paste may get burnt.
- Add washed Basmati Rice,water,salt and give a stir .
- Cover the cooker with lid and cook for two whistles on medium flame.
- After 10 mins Fluff up the rice gently.garnish with coriander leaves.
- Soya Biryani is ready.Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.
Notes
- Vegans can skip ghee and use any kind of vegetable oil.
- Vegans can skip yogurt and add juice of half lemon.
- You can use any vegetables of your choice like green peas,carrot,green beans along with soya chunks.
- You can increase or decrease spices accordingly.
- You can also do a Quick Release(QR) once the Pot beeps if you less time.
- You can also Mix together soya nuggets, water and salt in a bowl and cook in the microwave for 2-3 minutes to save more time.
Nutrition
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Can we double this recipe without altering the time in instant pot ?
Hi Poonam,yes we can double recipe with same time mentioned in the blog.
let me know if you have more questions.