Jackfruit Meatball Biryani

I just love my biryani, any chance I get , I make biryani and enjoy it, with it spicy dal , Raita, Kachumber or as it is. 

I wanted to make this since so long when I got my packet of jackfruit meatballs. And Finally made it, its so easy and flavorful , you can thaw the balls first and then add it in the masala so masala goes inside. If you short on time , just defrost it for one or two minutes in microwave and its fine too. If you like you can cut the meatballs in half too so you can enjoy it better . 

Ingredients :

4 to 6 thawed jackfruit meatballs or any your favorite one

2 cup basmati rice - soaked

2 tbsp. Oil / vegan butter / ghee 

1 onion thinly sliced

1 tbsp. ginger garlic paste

2-3 green chilies slit

1 bay leaves

2 tbsp. sindhi biryani masala

2 pods of Cardamom 

few cloves, black peppercorns, cinnamon stick, star anise, badi eaichi (all the whole spices)

2 tbsp. Kashmiri red chili powder

1 tbsp. red chili powder

1/2 tbsp. Turmeric powder

1 tbsp. cumin coriander powder

1 cup  Vegan yogurt or regular yogurt

salt as per taste

1/4 cup fresh mint and coriander leaves

Method :

Thawed the meatballs first and if you want cut in half or leave it as it is. 

Heat the heavy bottom pan and add water , twice the quantity of the rice, 1 tbsp., oil , salt , star anise in it. 

Once water boils, add rice and cook till its 70% done.

Take the rice out and discard star anise from it.

Now in the same pan, add oil, then add all the whole spices and cook it for few seconds. 

Then add onions and cook it , till its brown. Take 1/4 onions out so you can put it on top of the rice at the end.

Add ginger , garlic paste, green chili and cook for 1 more minute. 

Add meatballs  in it and  mix it. Add all the powder masala, yogurt, little water  and salt for the masala, remember we have salt in rice.

Now cook the meatballs till its cooked 70% , take one bowlful of masala out.

Now Layered masala, rice, mint and coriander leaves, masala, rice and mint and coriander leaves. 

Cover it tightly and cook it on low flame till its cooked 100% and all the water is evaporated.

When its done, shut off the gas. 

Leave it untouched for 10 minutes , you don't want to break the rice.

Sprinkle some more coriander  and mint leaves and fried onions on top.

Serve warm biryani with cucumber raita or dal or as it is. 

I had it with spicy dal and onion. 

Pulled Jackfruit Tacos

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone. Still not sure what to cook today? Have this easy but flavorful Pulled Jackfruit tacos and you are done with diner or lunch. I have used frozen jackfruit but you can use canned one too. Add more or less sauce, depend upon your choice and its ready. The texture is similar to meat but more healthy and guiltfree. You can make it in big batch and save it for later use too, since it freeze well. For the BBQ sauce you can use your readymade vegan or regular BBQ sauce or you can make it yours. What ever jackfruit you are using cut the jackfruit into thin slices from core to the outer edge , this breaks up the tougher core as much as possible and gives best shredded texture. 

Ingredients for Stuffing :

1 can or 1 cup Jackfruit, shredded

1 tbsp. oil

1 onion sliced

3 cloves of thinly chopped garlic

1/2 cup vegetable stock /broth

1 tbsp. agave syrup

1/2 lime juice

2 tsp. Cayenne powder

1 tbsp. Cumin powder

1 tbsp. Smoked paprika

Salt as per taste

Or you can just use readymade BBQ sauce

For Tacos:

4 Soft street taco - corn or flour

1/4 cup white onion chopped

1/4 cup cilantro chopped

Few red radish chopped in circle

1 Jalapenos chopped

Lime wedges 

Method:

Cut the jackfruit as mentioned above.

Heat the pan , add oil in it, when its hot, add onion and garlic and sauté till onions become softened. 

If you are using readymade sauce, add now and then add just the jackfruit. If its too sweet then only add lime juice, paprika and cayenne pepper.

Add jackfruit, stock, agave, lime juice and spices. Mix it and cover and reduce heat and let it cook till jackfruit is soften and half of the liquid is gone. 

With the help of the back of the spoon, smash the jackfruit to get the shredded texture. If it still have wet then cook for few minutes more. 

Warm the taco , add the spoonful of jackfruit mixture, top it with onion-cilantro mixture and radish and jalapenos. 

Enjoy it as it is or have it with salad / guacamole / salsa/ cilantro rice.