Main Course, Party ideas, Rice

Dindigul Thalapakatti Veg Biryani | Veg Biryani dishes

I had bookmarked this flavoursome Biryani as soon as this BM was announced. When I read further, I learnt that Thalapakatti is a family in Dingidul (a district southern Tamilnadu) and they were the pioneers of this Biryani where meat is the mainstay of this dish. But can be suitably subbed by soya chunks (TVP), which we did and liked it. In case one is keen to read more about the history of this biryani, do head here

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The Thalappakatti Biriyani Hotel’s roots can be traced all the way back to 1957. Founded by Mr. Nagasamy Naidu under the name Anandha Vilas Biriyani Hotel in Dindigul. He always wore a turban called THALAPA (a traditional head dress), which over the years became synonymous with his brand and cooking styles, leading him to earn the nick name “Thalappakatti Naidu”

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Although made with short grained Jeera Samba Rice (of which I have no access here), I made it with long grained Basmati rice and there was no compromise in taste. Although vegetables are added aplenty in other biryanis, here the emphasis is on the flavours, and the meat – mostly chicken and mutton (substituted here with Soya Chunks).

I am not a fan of TVP although the husband brings in pack after pack, but after this biryani I must say its made me a convert. We are sure to make this in larger quantities on our next house party or with guests over, and its sure to be a hit with Biryani lovers.

Lets head to the recipe. Adapted from here, I left out the mushrooms as I dont have many fans here (incl me) and just made it with Soya Chunks. Do make it and let me know how you liked it all

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Day 4 of JTTC mega BM, D for Dindigul Thalapakatti Veg Biryani

Main course, Tamilnadu cuisine

Serving suggestions : Papad, Onion Raita (or pachadi)

Spice level : Medium to high, difficulty level : Moderate

Prep time : 20 mins, Cook time : 20 mins, Serves : 3

Ingredients:

  • Jeeraga Samba Rice – 1 cup**
  • Water – as required to cook the rice (I like it fluffy and separate, but you can increase the water if you need softer rice)
  • Soya Chunks – 1/4 cup
  • Onion – 1 no (Big)
  • Tomato – 1 no (medium & ripe)
  • Oil – 3 TBSP
  • Green chillies – 2 or 3
  • Red chilli powder – 1/2 tsp (opt.)
  • Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 tsp
  • Bay leaf – 2 nos.
  • Coriander powder – 1 tsp
  • Curd – 2 TBSP
  • Salt – to taste
  • Chopped mint and coriander leaves – 4 TBSP

** I used 1.25 cups basmati rice

Spice powder:

  • Cinnamon – 2 inch piece
  • Coriander seeds – 1 tsp
  • Black stone flower / Dagad Phool – 1 no (recommended!)
  • Saunf / Fennel seeds – 1/2 TBSP
  • Cardamom – 2 nos
  • Cloves – 3 nos

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Method:

  1. Wash and soak rice for 15 mins (This is optional but I do soak the basmati rice for all rice dishes, if using Jeera samba rice no need to soak. Water to cook the rice will vary accordingly)
  2. dry roast & Powder all the spices under “Spice Powder” smoothly – this is an important step : dont skip
  3. Meanwhile soak the Soya chunks in hot water for 20 mins. Squeeze and cut into desired size, If using mini chunks no need to chop. 
  4. *In a pan, heat oil and add bay leaf. Add onions , ginger garlic paste and green chillies and saute well. Once done, add the tomatoes and the ground spice powder.
  5. Once the tomatoes turn mushy, add salt, coriander powder, red chilli powder, mint and coriander leaves. Mix well. add the soya chunks , curd and fry for a few mins till the masala is well coated.
  6. Now add the soaked and drained rice and fry for 1 min.
  7. Add required water and cook till rice is done. 
  8. Serve hot with raita and papad.

* you may use pressure cooker or rice cooker also for this dish, water willl vary accordingly. I also cooked the rice separately and added to the masala and mixed them.

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23 Comments

  1. Suma Gandlur

    That sure sounds like one flavorful biryani and I guess my family would love it since everyone of us is a fan of soya chunks.

  2. vaishali sabnani

    Our family loves Biryanis , bookmarking ! Love the flavors of biryani , the spices hoing in there . Even i am not a mushroom fan , will substitute veggies to make it wholesome . Excellent choice .

  3. MySpicyKitchen

    Intersting to know the story behind the dish. Biryani looks flavorful and has a nice texture. We love biryani and will try the meat version.

  4. Sandhya Ramakrishnan

    I have seen plenty of small hotels that has the name thalapakatti biriyani. Never thought of trying it at home. Love your vegetarian version. Bookmarking it 🙂

  5. Nice idea for making this biriyani in veg version looks delicious.

  6. Very good choice Kalyani, I love all variations in biryanis..

  7. The Pumpkin Farm

    i love all kinds of rice preparations, because it always works…this one has an interesting story, loved reading about it…i liked the soya pictures, very well lit pic and nicely captured

  8. Priya Suresh

    This is simply fabulous Kalyani, am in love with your briyani,prefectly cooked rice and tempting clicks.

  9. Gayathri Kumar

    That is an absolutely inviting plate of biryani. There are so many branches for this biryani here. Substituting meat with soy chunks is perfect…

  10. Amara’s cooking

    That's one delicious biryani, have seen this name on the menus but never tried it at home, now I have a good recipe to bookmark.

  11. Yes, this briyani is very famous around here and the restaurant is always full.Though I have never tasted that briyani,I have always wanted to try it at home.Now I have your version. Very tempting clicks Kalyani.

  12. I'm a briyani fan and this will be the next biryani recipe I'm going to make. It looks so delicious.

  13. Srividhya

    Yummy biriyani naa. Next time I will try with veggies and with your variations. Great share.

  14. cookingwithsapana

    I love rice in any form and this biryani is surely a perfect dish for us as we love soya chunks.Very nice pictures Kalyani.

  15. A Kamalika Krishmy

    I am a huge fan of briyani… yours looks very yummy

  16. Nalini's Kitchen

    I love their biriyanis..Yes you are right, jeeraga samba rice makes lot of difference.Biriyanis is perfectly made.

  17. Smruti Ashar

    Kalyani this is such a flavorful biryani! Loved it 🙂

  18. Very flavorful biryani, Kalyani. With soya chunks it makes a complete one pot meal.

  19. TVP is not everyone's favorite, but my mom used to make a gravy that made us its fans. Now whenever I make biryani, I always add soya chunks.

  20. Chef Mireille

    what a flavorful looking biryani and the history notes are interesting too

  21. that biriyani is looking lovely. wanna grab now!!! Interesting story too

  22. This looks lovely. Bookmarking this kal

  23. I have heard so much about this dish during my childhood days but never got to try even once. Bookmarked Kalyani! This is loaded with flavours.

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