• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Vegan Richa
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • (new) Recipe Filters
    • Popular Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch / Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Indian
    • Instant Pot
    • Burgers
    • Pizza
    • Recipe Index
  • Videos
    • Instant Pot
    • Dessert
    • Holidays
    • Easy Vegan Meals
    • All Recipe Videos
  • CookBooks
    • Vegan Richa’s Instant Pot Cookbook(PREORDER NOW)
    • Vegan Richa’s Everyday Kitchen (Print & Digital)
    • Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen (Print & Digital)
  • Resources
    • How To Start A Food Blog
    • Resources for Food Bloggers
    • Vegan Subs & Resources
    • Our Vegan Journey and FAQs
    • Indian Pantry
    • Indian Dal / Lentil Names
  • Shop
  • About / Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • CookBooks
  • Shop
  • About
  • NEW! Instant Pot Cookbook
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » gluten free

    Lentil Biryani and The Great Vegan Bean Book Review

    Published: Jun 25, 2013 · Modified: Apr 1, 2016 by Richa 154 Comments

    Lentil Biryani

     

    Hmm, lets see, do I need to eat more legumes, hell yes! and there is a perfect book to help me do that in so many different ways. Kathy Hester’s The Great Vegan Bean Book has a lot of my favorite things, beans, lots of beans, plant-based with options for gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free or oil-free. 

    There are beans for breakfast, meals and even dessert(chickpea cookies and black bean fudgesicles). There are usual vegan meals, burgers, dips and then other cuisines and fusion recipes to choose from Indian, Mexican, Jamaican, Asian, French, Moroccan, you name it. If you don’t win a copy at this giveaway, pick The Great Vegan Bean Book at amazon.

    Kathy explains all the possible standard beans, along with variations for specialty heirloom beans. She describes which beans are in each family and that can be used interchange-ably in a recipe.

    The book has nutrition information with each recipe.
    It has Recipes to make your own staples like chorizo and chik-un patties.
    Staples to keep food budget in check and also to avoid all the added preservatives.
    Allergy friendly, gluten- and soy-free and no added oil and also an index for gluten and soy-free.

    I made this Smoky White Bean dip from the book. I added a roasted Red bell pepper to it and spiced it up a bit more for my taste, and sent most of it and fresh veggies, packing with hubbs for his rafting trip. It was a definite hit with everyone. 



    I also used another batch of the dip to make sandwiches the next day. They will soon be posted in a separate post. I added some roasted Veggies and greens. 

    You can check out many more tried and tested recipes from the book on Kathy’s blog tour, like these Pecan Chickpea Chocolate Chip cookies, butternut Squash Frijoles, These Chickpea Seitan Crispy patties & Coconut Pecan Blondies! 


    Super Easy Lentil Biryani 
    soy-free gluten-free oil-free

    If you’ve had the longest day ever and still need to make dinner, this is the recipe for you. Throw everything into a pan or your rice cooker and dinner will be ready in no time!
    Ingredients:
    1 ½ cups (279 g) brown basmati rice
    4 cups (950 ml) water, plus more if needed
    ½ cup (96 g) lentils
    ¼ cup (35 g) chopped cashews
    ¼ cup (35 g) raisins
    ¼ cup (33 g) minced dried apricots
    2 teaspoons minced ginger
    ½ teaspoon turmeric
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    2 bay leaves
    2 cinnamon sticks or ½ teaspoon ground
    3 black cardamom pods or ½ teaspoon ground
    4 whole cloves or ¼ teaspoon ground
    8 whole black peppercorns or ¼ teaspoon ground
    10 coriander seeds or 1 teaspoon ground
    ½ teaspoon garam masala
    ¼ teaspoon salt

    Yield: 4 servings
    Total Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Cooking Time: 40 to 60 minutes
    Per 1 ½-Cup (340 g) serving: 
    377.0 calories; 5.0 g total fat; 0.5 g saturated fat; 10.0 g protein; 76.5 g carbohydrate; 7.5 g dietary fiber; 0 mg cholesterol.

    Stove-Top- Directions:
    Put all the ingredients except the salt into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and
    decrease the heat to low and cook until the rice and lentils are tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Check after 30 minutes
    and add more water if needed.
    Add the salt and adjust other seasonings if needed and remove the bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom
    pods before serving.

    Rice Cooker Directions:
    The two differences between cooking this on the stove top and in your rice cooker is that you will use 2 cups
    (380 g) brown basmati rice (use the measuring cup that came with your rice cooker) and add water to fill line 2
    in your rice cooker plus 1 cup (235 ml) water in a regular measuring cup.
    Put all the ingredients into the rice cooker and cook on the brown rice setting if you have one.
    When your rice cooker beeps, taste, add salt, and taste again. Adjust the other seasonings if needed and remove the bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom pods before serving.
     
    Recipe from The Great Vegan Bean Book. Republished with permission. 

     

    Sharing is caring!

    Share on Pinterest Share on Facebook Share on WhatsApp Share on Twitter Share on Email
    « Gluten-free Strawberry Sandwich Bread Loaf. Xanthan-free Vegan Recipe
    Smoky BBQ Tempeh Pizza with Red onions, Bell peppers and Parsley. Vegan Recipe »


    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online! I love hearing from you all! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment and Rating Cancel reply

      If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online and I love hearing from you all!

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Dyanne

      June 26, 2013 at 6:15 pm

      Ima lover of black and pinto beans. Just made a big pot of pintos yesterday for some quick and easy hot day meals.

      Reply
    2. Unknown

      June 26, 2013 at 5:38 pm

      Black Beans! I love them in a black bean sweet potato chili.

      Reply
    3. Priyanka Bhatt

      June 26, 2013 at 5:34 pm

      I love whole green moong, they are so versatile and can be used in any dish from savory to sweet :). Hmmm, I am craving moong daal halwa now .

      Reply
    4. Cassie

      June 26, 2013 at 5:26 pm

      Funny, I didn’t even like chickpeas until the past year or so, when I became a vegan. I guess I had to develop a taste for them. My favorites are still black beans. cassieh@gmx.com

      Reply
    5. Dawn

      June 26, 2013 at 5:25 pm

      Butter beans over a large salad are my fave!

      Reply
    6. Penny

      June 26, 2013 at 5:23 pm

      Other than the chickpea, I love my lentils. Just plain and simple. I boil them in water, white whine, salt and pepper.

      Reply
    7. Stephanie

      June 26, 2013 at 5:12 pm

      Black beans. I grew up eating them at least once or twice a week, and to this day, they are my favorite!

      Reply
    8. Asha Shivakumar

      June 26, 2013 at 5:05 pm

      I am sucker for any biryani, love the lentil biryani.

      Reply
    9. kelly g.

      June 26, 2013 at 5:01 pm

      Three words: black bean brownies!

      Reply
    10. Laine

      June 26, 2013 at 5:00 pm

      I love chickpeas- roasted with coconut oil, ginger, and salt and pepper. Simple and delicious!

      Reply
    11. Simona

      June 26, 2013 at 4:53 pm

      Lentils with pasta or fagioli (beans) and pasta:-)

      Reply
    12. Simona

      June 26, 2013 at 4:52 pm

      Lentils with pasta or fagioli (beans) and pasta:-)

      Reply
    13. Kathie Mudge

      June 26, 2013 at 4:48 pm

      Northern white beans- I love the taste and I love anything they go in!

      Reply
    14. Emoire

      June 26, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      I love pinto beans and black beans, especially in a smokey refried bean recipe.

      Reply
    15. CorryK

      June 26, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      Black beans are so versatile – I include them in a flourless brownie recipe.

      Reply
    16. Winnie

      June 26, 2013 at 4:31 pm

      I love black beans with roasted red peppers and caramelized onions all wrapped up in a whole wheat tortilla.

      Reply
    17. Katie Buchanan

      June 26, 2013 at 4:30 pm

      I love pretty much all beans! But other than chickpeas, I would have to say my favorite is either cannellini or pinto!

      Reply
    18. Leigh

      June 26, 2013 at 4:18 pm

      I love all beans too. You introduced me to the mung bean (which is awesome), so I think that deserves a thank you!

      Reply
    19. Monica Medrek

      June 26, 2013 at 3:30 pm

      Oh and thanks for the biryani recipe. I plan to try it soon!

      Reply
    20. Monica Medrek

      June 26, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      I also love all beans but my faves are canellinni, chickpeas, sprouted mung beans and black beans. For my kids I make chickpeas in the oven sometimes with oil and salt. We call it “big hog.” That’s a better name than chickpeas and they get pretty crunchy so they taste a bit like popcorn. Good trick for kids: Give your dish a snappy name! Monica

      Reply
    21. Amanda Thomas

      June 26, 2013 at 2:44 pm

      I love lima beans with hot sauce.

      Reply
    22. Virtually Vegan Mama

      June 26, 2013 at 11:57 am

      I love beans, but need to definitely eat more of them…I don’t like them plain but love them mixed into rices and flavored correctly…loving this recipe you posted…I love all types of bean spreads and bean burgers…lentil soup is my favorite…thanks for sharing this cookbook, I’m loving the sound of it!

      xo

      Jen

      Reply
    23. Karen Delaney

      June 26, 2013 at 11:57 am

      Anasazi beans..make great refried beans!

      Reply
    24. Concetta

      June 26, 2013 at 11:42 am

      I don’t have a favorite because I don’t eat enough beans. This book will solve my problem. Thanks.

      Reply
    25. Cheryl

      June 26, 2013 at 11:05 am

      Love adjuki beans, black beans, pinto beans,and black eyed peas. Can’t think of a bean I don’t like. A favorite soup is made with kale, great northern beans, tomatoes, carrots and celery with a few drops of liquid smoke and toasted sesame oil. Thank you for the opportunity.

      Reply
    26. Jan Scholl

      June 26, 2013 at 6:30 am

      I have never met a bean or legume or any cousin I didn’t like but the darker the bean the more tasty I find them. I recently went to an Indian grocery store and found a couple of beans I never heard of including one in the lima family called Christmas beans. I hear they are an heirloom variety. Can’t wait to make some and surprise my daughter who hates limas! Bet she won’t know the history of these.

      Reply
    27. Lilli

      June 26, 2013 at 6:16 am

      Chickpeas are beans!! (Garbanzo beans) I don’t know of many kinds of beans because i’m a little afraid of cooking them poorly and ruining a dish, so I mostly use kidney beans and cannellini beans. I like to use them as a substitute for the grains in tabbouleh and if you mush cannellini beans you can make a really nifty vegan creme brulee.

      Reply
    28. Kristin

      June 26, 2013 at 5:41 am

      I love all beans, legumes, pulses. Currently, I think lentils, black-eyed peas, chick peas, and fava beans (ful medames!!!) are my favorites. A dish I have recently fallen in love with is my adaption of a recipe my CSA included with our share a few weeks ago. It’s Carrot Top and Quinoa soup–a fantastic way to use carrot tops rather than discarding them! I used leeks in place of onions, tossed in some herbs, and added lentils to thicken the dish (I prefer stews to thin soups) and bring it to a whole new level. So tasty!!!

      Thanks for all the great recipes in your wonderful blog! 🙂

      Reply
    29. Joanne T Ferguson

      June 26, 2013 at 5:35 am

      G’day! Love your photo, true!
      Am a big bean person, love every kind and now your post has inspired me to do! 🙂
      Cheers! Joanne
      https://www.facebook.com/whatsonthelist

      Reply
    30. Anonymous

      June 26, 2013 at 5:31 am

      Love black bean burgers!!! But also steamed soy beans with a sprinkle of sea salt. Yummmm
      -Terri-

      Reply
    31. Amanda Miller

      June 26, 2013 at 4:23 am

      I love black beans too – tossed in a kale salad with bell peppers, fresh corn, avocado, and toasted pumpkin seeds!

      Reply
    32. Nithiya

      June 26, 2013 at 4:20 am

      Tough one!!! So many favorite beans – cannelini beans/ black beans/ red kidney beans in soups/ hearty chilli or spicy indian gravies. Lentils is a close second – one of faves being lentil & kale soup as well as warm lentil salad. The list goes on….

      Reply
    33. mobilediesel

      June 26, 2013 at 3:18 am

      I like lentils mixed with TVP to make tacos. Lentils are my favorite because they take the least time to cook.

      Reply
    34. Fluffy Suds

      June 26, 2013 at 3:12 am

      Lately I’ve been really loving black beans esp in a burger. I love making black bean burgers. I also love lentils because they absorb such flavor. Curry & lentils that’s all I need lol.

      Reply
    35. Kristy R

      June 26, 2013 at 2:44 am

      Hubby is Cuban…so there are a lot of black beans eaten in this house from black bean sweet potato chili, black beans and rice cuban style (sans bacon of course) and GF black bean brownies. Even my toddler loves black beans! Now my 4 year old…no so much! Working on that!

      Reply
    36. Kelsey M

      June 26, 2013 at 2:39 am

      I like pinto beans a lot…and black beans too- basically I love beans that I can put in tacos and burritos etc! Yum!

      Reply
    37. Anonymous

      June 26, 2013 at 2:35 am

      black beans in tacos!! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

      Reply
    38. Unknown

      June 26, 2013 at 2:30 am

      MUNG BEANS!!! so full of protein – I love mung bean pasta 🙂

      Reply
    39. Adrienne @ Whole New Mom

      June 26, 2013 at 2:19 am

      Black beans in chili.

      Reply
    40. Shari

      June 26, 2013 at 2:08 am

      I think Gigante beans are my favorite. They just burst with creaminess! So good in a long-cooked Greek flavored casserole! Thanks for the Biryani recipe. It’s great that it includes ingredients we vegans stock our pantries with. Looks great!

      Reply
    41. dmarie

      June 26, 2013 at 2:02 am

      If I can’t choose chickpeas, I would choose black beans. I love them in soup and burgers, also enchiladas.

      Reply
    42. Creations by Kari

      June 26, 2013 at 1:55 am

      Black beans, with sea salt!

      Reply
    43. Sunflower

      June 26, 2013 at 1:51 am

      Adzuki beans are my favorite! <3

      Reply
    44. hopephilosophy

      June 26, 2013 at 1:38 am

      Adzuki beans! They make awesome burgers and are so pretty with a simple rice dish.

      Reply
    45. Elizabeth

      June 26, 2013 at 1:34 am

      I like Jacob’s Cattle beans in the recipe “Maple Baked Beans”. It’s best served with molasses brown bread. This book looks fantastic!

      Reply
    46. Susan

      June 26, 2013 at 1:07 am

      Yum, beans! Favorite is black beans. Love them with corn, chili powder, coriander, lime & whatever other leftover veggie I need to throw in there.

      Reply
    47. pattk1220

      June 26, 2013 at 1:07 am

      I would LOVE to have a copy of this book. I borrowed it from the local library and wanted to make every dish. Thanks for the opportunity to own a copy!

      Reply
    48. Kim - Liv Life

      June 26, 2013 at 12:53 am

      What a fabulous book!! I’ve not heard of it before, so I’m happy for your post. Favorite bean?? Would probably have to be the black bean… mixed with grilled corn, cilantro and lime and topped with avocado!

      Reply
    49. Anna

      June 26, 2013 at 12:48 am

      Tuscan beans,white beans cooked with tomatoes and italian seasoning! Thanks for a chance to win.

      Reply
    50. Emily O

      June 26, 2013 at 12:26 am

      Sweetened adzuki bean in paste form in Asia desserts! Or lentils in mujadra.

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

    More about me →

    Amazon // Barnes & Noble // BAM! // Chapter Indigo // International
    vegan richa cookbook flavor companion
    My exclusive 16 Spice Set
    Vegan Richa's Everyday Kitchen Cookbook Now Available everywhere where Books are Sold | VeganRicha.com
    Amazon // Barnes & Noble // BAM! // Chapter Indigo // International

    FOLLOW US

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Vegan Richa 's Indian Kitchen Cookbook

    Amazon || Barnes & Noble || BAM! || IndieBound || Details & International

    Popular

    • 18 Best Vegan Recipes of 2022
    • Vegan Tofu Nuggets
    • Best Easy Vegan Recipes of 2021
    • Restaurant Style Aloo Gobi

    Amazon || Barnes & Noble || BAM! || Indigo || Book Depository

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    • Copyright and Disclaimers

    Resources

    • Indian dals/lentils names
    • Indian pantry
    • Our vegan journey
    • Vegan Substitutes

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitter

    Contact

    • Recipe Index
    • My Favorite Things
    • Advertise, Work With Me

    Cookbooks

    • Vegan Richa’s Indian kitchen cookbook
    • Vegan Richa’s Everyday kitchen cookbook 
    • Vegan Richa’s Instant Pot Book

    All content on this blog is owned by Vegan Richa LLC.  Links on some posts are affiliate links for e.g. we are participant in Amazon services LLC Associates program. Vegan Richa is monetized in part through the use of such affiliate links. More Details

    Copyright © 2021 Vegan Richa