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    Home » gluten free

    Quinoa Cauliflower Biryani. Vegan Glutenfree Recipe

    Published: Oct 7, 2013 · Modified: Dec 5, 2016 by Richa 46 Comments

    Layers of Rainbow Quinoa “rice”, creamy Cauliflower gravy with whole spices, nuts, cranberries, raisins, peas, cilantro make this  fabulous Quinoa Cauliflower Biryani.
     
    Vegan Glutenfree Quinoa Cauliflower Biryani
     
    Yes! This delicious Biryani needs to be cooked up right now! 
    With some of my favorite things.. rainbow Quinoa, Cauliflower and peas, and a load of interesting spices and flavors. All bundled up in this cozy one dish meal. I couldnt have asked for more. This is the perfect way to eat warm and spiced Quinoa this Fall. Cold Salads, see you next summer. 
     
    Biryani(layered Rice and veggie gravy dish) is one of the meals that does not get enough love, probably because of the number of spices and steps involved. But the awesome thing about this dish is, it gets easier as you get a hang of the process. A few spices here and there and steps missed or added at a different time does not change up the end result much. So try this gorgeous bowl filled with protein(quinoa) and vegetables of your choice. 
     
    Biryani recipes from different parts of India and other countries as well use different spices, herbs and method or preparation. Cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, fennel, nutmeg etc can all be used for variations. Use whichever whole spices you have, or use just the spice blends like garam masala or Biryani masala. To make a quick version, just heat up and plate the gravy and quinoa together and serve.
    use any other similar grain like millet or rice for variation. Make this Quinoa Cauliflower Biryani !
     


    Quinoa Cauliflower Biryani | Vegan Richa

    You can use any other vegetables to replace or along with the Cauliflower, like potatoes, green beans, carrots, broccoli. Or use some Tofu or Tempeh for a “Paneer” Biryani. Or Mushrooms, chickpeas or lentils!


    Possibilities are endless. 


    The gorgeous rainbow quinoa, with yellows from turmeric and saffron, sweet from cranberries and raisins, sour from the yogurt, flavors from cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf and cloves. Yum! I added some dried cranberries and they take this Biryani to a whole new level.


    More Biryanis from the blog. 


    Vegetable Biryani with Basmati Rice

    Garlicky Layer Biryani
    Lentil and Rice Biryani
    Mughlai Biryani



    Steps:


    In a deep pan, add oil, toast the washed quinoa and spices. Add water and salt. Cover, bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes. 




    In another larger deep pan, add oil, heat on medium, cook onion, ginger, garlic, chili until nicely browned.




    Remove some of theonion and keep aside. 

    Add spices, cauliflower and peas. Mix and cook for 5-6 minutes.




    Add cashew cream or yogurt and cook until cauliflower is just about cooked. 




    Layer half of the cauliflower gravy, then fluffed quinoa rice, then cilantro, mint and saffron milk. 




    Add rest of the cauliflower gravy, quinoa, nuts, cranberries, cilantro, browned onions.




    Cook for 15-25 minutes. Let sit for a few before serving. Serve all the layers. 




    Quinoa Biryani with Creamy Cauliflower, nuts, cranberries, peas.

    Layers of Rainbow Quinoa “rice”, creamy Cauliflower gravy with whole spices, nuts, cranberries, raisins, peas, cilantro.
    Allergen Information: Free of Dairy, egg, corn, soy, yeast, gluten. Can be made nut-free.

    Serves: 5-6

    Ingredients:
    For the Quinoa:
    1 cup dry Quinoa (I used alter eco rainbow quinoa)
    1 green cardamom
    1 black cardamom
    2 cloves
    1 cinnamon stick 1 inch
    1 bay leaf
    1 2/3 cups water
    2/3 tsp salt or to taste

    For the Cauliflower Gravy:

    2 teaspoons Oil
    3/4 red onion, finely sliced
    1 green chili(Serrano or other), chopped
    2 Tbsp ginger, thinly sliced
    1 Tbsp finely chopped garlic, 3-4 cloves
    1/2 tsp cumin seeds
    1 green cardamom
    2 cloves
    1 cinnamon of 1 inch
    1 bay leaf
    1/2 teaspoon garam masala or Biryani masala blend
    1/4 tsp turmeric powder
    1/2 tsp red chili powder/cayenne pepper
    1/2 medium sized Cauliflower, chopped into small florets
    3/4 teaspoon salt
    3/4 cup light Cashew cream + 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, or whisked non-dairy yogurt or coconut milk
    1/3 cup frozen/fresh peas
    2-3 Tbsp raw cashews
    1 Tbsp raisins
    1 Tbsp dried cranberries

    For Layer Assembly:

    1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
    1/2 cup mint leaves (optional)
    Saffron milk: a few saffron strands mixed into 2 Tbsp warm almond milk(soak for atleast 5 minutes)


    Method:

    Make the Quinoa “rice”:
    In a deep pan, add a half teaspoon of oil. Wash the Quinoa thoroughly. Drain and add to the pan. Add the spices except salt, and roast quinoa+spices for 2-3 minutes on medium heat. Add salt and water. Mix, cover and cook. Once the water comes to a rolling boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes. Switch off the heat and let the Quinoa sit for another 5 minutes. Open, fluff with a fork and keep ready. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

    Make the Cauliflower gravy:

    In a deep large pan, add oil and heat on medium. Add the onions, ginger, garlic, chili pepper and cook until onion slices are mostly brown. Remove 2 Tablespoons of the onion mixture to use as topping for later. (If using ginger or garlic paste, add the paste when onion is done). Add all the spices and mix for a minute. Add the Cauliflower, peas and salt. Mix, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add the cashew cream+vinegar or non dairy yogurt. Mix and cook for 6-7 minutes at low-medium heat or until Cauliflower is tender crisp. Add half of the nuts, raisins, dried fruit. Mix and keep ready. Add water or non dairy milk, if you like thinner or more gravy. Mix and use to layer. 

    Layer the Biryani:

    You can cook the layers on stove-top or bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Use the dish accordingly. I cooked it on stove top in the same deep pan in which I made the gravy. 
    Remove half of the Cauliflower gravy mixture. The bottom layer is cauliflower gravy. Top this layer with half of the cooked Quinoa rice. Drizzle half of the saffron milk on top of the quinoa. Top with cilantro and/or mint. Layer the rest of the cauliflower gravy. Top with the remaining quinoa. Drizzle saffron milk, some cashews, raisins, cranberries and browned onion, cilantro+mint. Cover and place on a pan(for indirect heat so the bottom doesn’t burn) and cook on low heat for 20 or so minutes. Let the mixture sit for another 15 minutes. Then serve as you are serving a layer cake, take all the layers onto the plate. Drizzle a bit of lemon juice.
    Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F. Let sit for 10 minutes, then serve. 
    Serve as is or with a side of raita(mix non dairy yogurt, salt, cumin powder and chili powder to taste.)


    For a quick version, cook the quinoa and veggies,plate the gravy and quinoa together and serve. Use any other similar grain like millet or rice for variation.
     
    Notes: To make cashew cream, soak raw cashews in warm water for half an hour. Blend with a few Tablespoons of water to get thick pasty cream. Add more water and blend for a whipped texture. 
     
    * Like this recipe! Get 150 such amazing recipes in my new Cookbook! 15 favorites from the blog and 135 new recipes.
     


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    1. Lauren

      October 15, 2019 at 12:58 pm

      I have used this before, a few times, and it’s so delicious. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Tricia

      January 19, 2019 at 7:44 pm

      Made this tonight from the cookbook – it was a deep dive into my spice cupboard but absolutely worth it! Wonderful combination of flavors and spices!

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 19, 2019 at 8:05 pm

        yay!

        Reply
    3. NICCI PARSONS

      December 02, 2018 at 10:52 am

      i cooked this tonight , i added more spice and tried to make a thinner gravy but to be honest needed to be more as what a bit dry – i also added more onion as not enough to save some for the topping , plus i added some roasted veg into it , as taste was a bit bland i thought ( sorry !!!) i put in the oven but wasn’t sure whether i was supposed to cover it or not – i didn’t , dont know of this is right or not ? so potential but in my opinion needs more contrasts of flavour – how can i do this ?

      Reply
      • Richa

        December 05, 2018 at 12:01 am

        hmm. maybe the spices were old, or did not roast enough to release flavor in the dish, or maybe just needed more salt(the right amount helps bloom the spices on the taste palette). Whole spices tend to add flavor as they sit, so even if not roasted enough, they will infuse the dish in time. This dish is like a rice dish, so there is just enough sauce for some moisture, not a wet gravy dish. You can double the sauce. thinning it out will also dilute some flavor. i’d day just add more of the spices, salt and double the sauce.

        Reply
    4. Carol

      October 04, 2018 at 7:23 pm

      This is amazing!! Thank you!

      Reply
    5. Kerrie

      November 29, 2017 at 8:43 pm

      My partner and I agreed that this is one of the best dishes we’ve ever eaten. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Richa

        November 29, 2017 at 9:56 pm

        Awesome!

        Reply
    6. Vicki

      March 23, 2016 at 7:18 pm

      I just made this for dinner. It was a hit! My husband was in heaven. He wants me to be sure and save the recipe. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Richa

        March 23, 2016 at 9:40 pm

        yay!!

        Reply
    7. Cherry

      May 06, 2015 at 8:12 am

      Thanks so much for this recipe Richa. I have made this for the past two New Years Day dinners and it is such a super special treat.

      Reply
      • Richa

        May 06, 2015 at 11:07 am

        so awesome to hear that! <3

        Reply
    8. Stacey

      April 23, 2015 at 4:17 am

      Yes!!! This is right up my alley:)

      Reply
    9. Anna

      October 18, 2014 at 7:12 am

      Cauliflower, quinoa and biryani are three of my favorite foods! How have I never seen your blog before? I love it. All of it. I’ve just spent two hours bookmarking recipes of yours that I need to try. Super amazing vegan resource! #VeganHeaven

      Reply
    10. Ani

      January 02, 2014 at 7:13 pm

      Imagine creamy spicy soft warm cauliflower decorated for the holidays with cashews and dried cranberries. Delicious!

      Reply
    11. Sarah Koznek

      October 18, 2013 at 12:20 am

      We made this a few days ago and it is the best thing I’ve had from your blog so far!!! Amazing recipe!

      Reply
    12. The Peace Patch

      October 13, 2013 at 11:07 am

      Thank you for the recipe…it looks like something I could make every week, changing it up a little and never tire of. That cauliflower gravy wants to live on everything…potatoes and pastas and puff pastry shells with veggies and tofu or chickpeas and whatever else comes along in the kitchen. Yumza! 🙂

      Reply
    13. afracooking

      October 10, 2013 at 9:05 pm

      Look delicious! Yum!

      Reply
    14. GiGi

      October 09, 2013 at 5:46 pm

      What?! Biryani gets no love? It does in my camp. Ditto to this gravy. ooooh.

      Reply
    15. Purvi

      October 09, 2013 at 5:12 pm

      Richa I did make this yesterday for the gathering at home and it was finger-licking good!!! Made a few changes though, mainly that I used organic brown rice in place of quinoa, although I simply love quinoa but some guests may not have appreciated the quinoa so replaced it with brown rice for this time. Also I didn’t do the corriander-mint part and didn’t layer up the biryani. I made the veggies and cream and then simply mixed the rice with it. Used all of the psices as you listed. The folks LOVED IT. Next I’m going to make this with quinoa the way its supposed to be. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Richa

        October 10, 2013 at 1:58 am

        Awesome! so glad everyone liked it. the biryani is a great way to introduce people to quinoa. when i tried quinoa i dint like it as much too because i had it in a salad. but with all the flavors and spices, it gels well into the dish just like rice!

        Reply
    16. veganmiam.com

      October 09, 2013 at 12:56 pm

      What a gorgeous post, Richa and beautiful images of that biryani. In 2007, I’ve attempted to make a vegan biryani for the potluck for my International Studies class and instead I made Taiwanese fried rice (haha, I was too scared to make a biryani because I’ve never ate or tried them before). All of the step-by-step photos are making me salivate and I like the idea of using cashew cream instead of vegan yogurt.

      Reply
    17. vouchers for restaurants

      October 09, 2013 at 10:38 am

      wow it lokk so delicious! thanks for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
    18. Aiming4Simple

      October 09, 2013 at 7:02 am

      This looks marvelous! I am a big fan of briyani anything!

      Reply
    19. Vicky

      October 08, 2013 at 10:15 pm

      Gosh! This looks heavenly Richa!

      Reply
    20. coconutandberries

      October 08, 2013 at 9:03 pm

      I’ve never made biryani at home before but have loved it when eating out. I adore savoury dishes with a little sweetness in there and this dish looks beautiful- Love all the colours!

      Reply
    21. Kristen

      October 08, 2013 at 7:46 pm

      I love biryani, I love cauliflower, and quinoa just makes everything nutritious x 10. I can’t wait to try this!!

      Reply
    22. Gabby @ the veggie nook

      October 08, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      I wish I wasn’t back off grains ro I would totally cook this up ASAP! I love the flavours and it looks so hearty. MMMM

      Reply
    23. Jenny

      October 08, 2013 at 6:55 pm

      Can’t wait to make this! If you substitute coconut milk for the cashew cream, do you still need to mix it with the apple cider vinegar or just use 3/4 c coconut milk alone? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Richa

        October 08, 2013 at 7:04 pm

        add the vinegar directly to the veggies if using coconut milk. the vinegar is for the tang that comes with the yogurt. hope you like it!!

        Reply
    24. Annie

      October 08, 2013 at 2:25 pm

      I love your little pots :-).

      Beautiful biryani – especially w/ the cranberries!

      Reply
    25. Caitlin

      October 08, 2013 at 1:59 pm

      i never knew what biryani was before and now that i know, i want to make this immediately! it looks so hearty and flavorful and delicious. and so colorful!

      Reply
    26. Mihl

      October 08, 2013 at 7:55 am

      Biryani always looks so colourful! I love the idea of making it with quinoa. Your recipe definitely looks like it’s worth the steps required!

      Reply
    27. Terra

      October 08, 2013 at 4:00 am

      I love learning about lovely dishes like this one. All the spices included sound so beautiful together! It looks fantastic! Hugs, Terra

      Reply
    28. Poornima Nair

      October 08, 2013 at 2:24 am

      I’m always hungry for biryani, this one is fabulous and it looks great!

      Reply
    29. Purvi

      October 08, 2013 at 2:14 am

      YUMMMYY!!!!! I have a gathering tomorrow for Navaratri and I’m going to try this. How did you make the cashew cream? I usually whip up the cashews with some water in my Vitamix until smooth and thick – but I use it raw becuase heating it ruins the texture. Let me know you recipe for that!

      Reply
      • Richa

        October 08, 2013 at 2:18 am

        yup, whip up the soaked raw cashews until very thick creamy. i usually add some more water after that for a lighter cream. The lighter cream cooks up well and makes a thick gravy with the veggies in the biryani. you can adjust the gravy to preference.

        Reply
    30. Maggie Muggins

      October 07, 2013 at 9:09 pm

      Oh yum, I love biryani! That cauliflower gravy sounds like something I’d eat with a spoon! It’s also a beautiful dish, totally tucking this one away for when I want something warm and comforting.

      Reply
      • Richa

        October 08, 2013 at 2:22 am

        I would eat a load of cauliflower with a large spoon too:)

        Reply

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