A glorious harmony of three distinct layers originating from a broad dish. The top layer, saffron rice with plumpy raisins, forms an orange vista. The middle layer, coconut milk infused rice creates a cloud-like white buffer. The bottom layer of green rice with coriander, peas, and mint provides a lush undercurrent. Finally, garnished with crispy golden onion slices, toasted cashews, and a sprinkle of fresh mint leaves creates a stunning plated masterpiece.

Tri-Color Biryani

Name: Tri-Color Biryani
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: Basmati Rice, 3 cups thoroughly washed and soaked for 30 mins; Saffron, A pinch soaked in 2 tbsp warm milk; Coconut Milk, 1 cup; Mint-Coriander Chutney, 1/2 cup personal preference; Green Peas, 1 cup boiled; Raisins, 1/2 cup soaked and drained; Onion, 1 large thinly sliced and fried until golden; Spices (Cardamom, Clove, Cinnamon, Bay leaf, Cumin seeds), For flavoring rice; Fresh Mint Leaves, For garnish; Toasted Cashews, For garnish; Oil, 2 tbsp; Salt, To taste

Category Main Course

Prep 30 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style Indian

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily Recipe: August 15, 2025

An iconic and visually stunning traditional Indian dish takes centerstage for our India's Independence Day celebration. We are featuring 'Tri-Color Biryani', a brilliant spin-off from the classic Indian Biryani rich in flavors and colors. The three colors represent the Indian flag - saffron, white, and green brought to life by the rich natural hues of rice, coconut milk, and mint-coriander chutney respectively.

Ingredients (for 4)

Basmati rice - 3 cups - thoroughly washed and soaked for 30 mins
Saffron - A pinch - soaked in 2 tbsp warm milk
Coconut milk - 1 cup
Mint-coriander chutney - 1/2 cup - personal preference
Green peas - 1 cup - boiled
Raisins - 1/2 cup - soaked and drained
Onion - 1 large - thinly sliced and fried until golden
Spices (cardamom, clove, cinnamon, bay leaf, cumin seeds) - - For flavoring rice
Fresh mint leaves - - For garnish
Toasted cashews - - For garnish
Oil - 2 tbsp
Salt - - To taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍚🍛🧂

Divide the pre-soaked basmati rice into three equal portions. For each portion, add enough water, salt, and whole spices, and cook until 70% done.
Step 2 - 🍊🥛🍚

Add the saffron and milk mixture to one portion of rice. This gives it a beautiful orange hue.
Step 3 - 🥥🥛🍚

Add the coconut milk to the second rice portion, making it creamy white.
Step 4 - 🌿🥗🍚

To the third portion of rice, mix the mint-coriander chutney and boiled peas, giving it a rich green color and extra texture.
Step 5 - 🍲🥘🥗

In a baking dish, layer the green rice at the bottom. Sprinkle some fried onions and toasted cashews on top, then add a layer of the white coconut rice. Repeat the sprinkling of fried onions and cashews, then add the saffron rice layer on top.
Step 6 - 👩‍🍳🥘🥮

Garnish the top layer with the remaining fried onions, toasted cashews, raisins, and fresh mint. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until flavors meld.
Step 7 - 🍽️🍛😋

Let the biryani cool down before fluffing it gently with a fork. Your Tri-Color Biryani is ready to serve with raita or curry of choice.

Additional

The Biryani, a fragrant rice dish often coupled with meat, dates back to the early centuries and has Middle-Eastern and South-East Asian influences. The popularity of Biryani in India owes much to the Mughals whose cooks were renowned for creating elaborate biryanis with exotic, aromatic spices. To involve kids, let them help you with layering the three different colors of rice.