This amazing Indian Lucknowi Biryani is baked in the oven in a single pan. North Indian Spiced tofu Rice bake has fantastic flavor with unique blend of spices! It needs just 1 pan and 15 mins active time. A 2 step bake means no need to stand around sautéing the tofu or the aromatics! Gluten-free. Options for Soyfree Nutfree Oilfree.
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You guys love my baked jackfruit biryani, so I decided to make another baked biryani for you. Biryani is a Rice dish often with added meats. Many regional cuisines of India have their own variations of this rice dish. They can vary significantly, some just a few spice differences while other with the processes and methods as well. Today we are making a royal biryani from Awadhi (Lucknowi) cuisine.
Lucknowi cuisine (north-central Indian cuisine) has influence from Mughal, nawabi, and Punjabi cuisines with its own dishes. Lucknowi Biryani is usually made with meat, like lamb. I’m using tofu here as the protein, I’m using the same spices that make that biryani ultra delicious and special. Come along with me on my mission to explore regional Indian cuisine as well as make vegan versions of meat heavy Indian recipes!
Biryani is a rice dish, which usually has a really flavorful protein added to it. Everything is layered in a pot to get all of the flavors infused into the rice, and it’s served either as-is or with some yogurt dip raita or as a side dish. The traditional cooking requires many pans and multiple steps to get all the flavor in the protein and the rice which is then layered and slow cooked in a covered/sealed container. I simplify that whole process by baking the Biryani so you need just 1 baking dish and a few minutes of active time in the kitchen!
I’m using very specific spices in this recipe for that particular authentic flavor. If you don’t have all of the spices, use whichever spices you have and add in some extra garam masala, or you can use the spices from my jackfruit biryani.
Why You’ll Love Lucknowi Biryani
- Crisp spiced tofu and rice flavored with a mix of whole and ground spices
- same incredible, layered, complex flavors baked in a single pan in the oven
- only 15 minutes of active time and the rest hour is baking in the oven
- naturally gluten-free with easy nut-free, soy-free, and oil-free options
More Delicious Biryani Recipes
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Lucknowi Biryani (North Indian Spiced Tofu Rice Bake)
Baked Indian Lucknowi Biryani. This North Indian Spiced tofu Rice bake has fantastic flavor with a unique blend of spices! It needs just 1 pan and 15 mins active time. A 2 step bake means no need to stand around sautéing the tofu or the aromatics! Gluten-free. Options for Soyfree and Nutfree
Servings: 4
Calories: 287kcal
Ingredients
For the spice powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons fennel seeds
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin seeds
- 2 whole green cardamom pods
- 1 black cardamom pod
- 2 whole cloves
- 6 to 8 black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon Kashmiri chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
For the biryani
- 2 teaspoons oil optional, see note
- 2″ cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 2 green cardamom pods opened slightly
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons ginger garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon non-dairy yogurt
- ½ teaspoon salt