Moving to Boston is like being thrown into a pot along with a myriad of different people. And much like the ingredients and spices in Indian cooking, everyone meshes and all the flavors harmoniously manage to meld together.
One of the perks of being immersed in this diversity is the plethora of available dining options. And since I am always in search of a good biryani (a mixed Indian rice dish cooked with vegetables, spices, and usually one type of meat), I decided to try out Punjab Palace in Allston.
Restaurant Review
Punjab Palace is a simple, small Indian restaurant in Allston. As hungry restaurant-goers wait for their food, they can relax to the steady beats of Bollywood music videos streaming onto a big screen TV.
Punjab Palace's vegetable biryani arrived in a steel bowl. The aromatic scents of the dish enticed me, and I immediately ate a heaping spoonful of the rice. That first bite was an explosion of flavors. I first tasted the sweeter spices of nutmeg and cinnamon before being bombarded by the heat of the garam masala and spicy peppers. The vegetables were tender and melted in my mouth. After eating most of the dish, I knew I found what I was looking for.
Vegetable Quinoa Biryani
Ingredients (Feeds 2)
1 box of plain quinoa
1 cup of chopped broccoli
1 cup of chopped cauliflower
1/2 cup of lima beans
1 cup of chopped carrots
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
2 tablespoons of coconut oil
1/4 cup of cashews
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon of garam masala
1/4 teaspoon of cloves
Salt (to taste)
For the sauce (masala):
2 cups of tomato paste
1/2 cup of chopped onions
2 tablespoons of minced garlic
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of chili powder
1 tablespoon of ground ginger paste
Salt (to taste)
Water for cooking
Directions
1) Put all the masala ingredients into a blender and blend them together until they become a paste. Blend in 1/2 cup of water so sauce isn't dry.
2) Following instructions on the box, cook the box of quinoa (cooking time should typically be between 10-15 minutes)
3) Heat coconut oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
4) Add minced garlic, bay leaves, cloves, and garam masala to the oil.
5) Roast the cashews in the spices and oil.
6) Mix in the broccoli, cauliflower, lima beans, and carrots. Allow the oil and spices to completely coat the vegetables. Cook vegetables for 5 minutes.
7) Add masala paste to the vegetables. Reduce heat to low until the sauce and vegetables are at a simmer. Pour a bit more water into the skillet if the sauce starts to gets too thick.
8) After quinoa is fully cooked, add to the skillet.
9) Mix the masala, vegetables, and quinoa together so that the quinoa is thoroughly coated in the sauce. Add salt to taste.
10) Cook over low heat for a couple minutes so that flavors are absorbed.
11) Serve in a deep bowl and enjoy!
My Review
Punjab Palace's biryani was flavorful and delicious. Unfortunately, the health-oriented foodie won't find that eating their dish regularly is wise. My vegetable quinoa biryani packs in the health benefits of quinoa along with savory Indian seasonings. Same flavors and a healthier twist!
One of the perks of being immersed in this diversity is the plethora of available dining options. And since I am always in search of a good biryani (a mixed Indian rice dish cooked with vegetables, spices, and usually one type of meat), I decided to try out Punjab Palace in Allston.
Restaurant Review
Punjab Palace is a simple, small Indian restaurant in Allston. As hungry restaurant-goers wait for their food, they can relax to the steady beats of Bollywood music videos streaming onto a big screen TV.
Punjab Palace's vegetable biryani arrived in a steel bowl. The aromatic scents of the dish enticed me, and I immediately ate a heaping spoonful of the rice. That first bite was an explosion of flavors. I first tasted the sweeter spices of nutmeg and cinnamon before being bombarded by the heat of the garam masala and spicy peppers. The vegetables were tender and melted in my mouth. After eating most of the dish, I knew I found what I was looking for.
Punjab Palace's Address
109 Brighton Avenue, Allston, Massachusetts, 02134
After sampling a traditional vegetable Indian biryani from Punjab Palace, my healthy spin this week will be to re-create their biryani. I will be using the same flavors but healthier ingredients.
Ingredients (Feeds 2)
1 box of plain quinoa
1 cup of chopped broccoli
1 cup of chopped cauliflower
1/2 cup of lima beans
1 cup of chopped carrots
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
2 tablespoons of coconut oil
1/4 cup of cashews
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon of garam masala
1/4 teaspoon of cloves
Salt (to taste)
For the sauce (masala):
2 cups of tomato paste
1/2 cup of chopped onions
2 tablespoons of minced garlic
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of chili powder
1 tablespoon of ground ginger paste
Salt (to taste)
Water for cooking
Directions
1) Put all the masala ingredients into a blender and blend them together until they become a paste. Blend in 1/2 cup of water so sauce isn't dry.
2) Following instructions on the box, cook the box of quinoa (cooking time should typically be between 10-15 minutes)
3) Heat coconut oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
4) Add minced garlic, bay leaves, cloves, and garam masala to the oil.
5) Roast the cashews in the spices and oil.
6) Mix in the broccoli, cauliflower, lima beans, and carrots. Allow the oil and spices to completely coat the vegetables. Cook vegetables for 5 minutes.
7) Add masala paste to the vegetables. Reduce heat to low until the sauce and vegetables are at a simmer. Pour a bit more water into the skillet if the sauce starts to gets too thick.
8) After quinoa is fully cooked, add to the skillet.
9) Mix the masala, vegetables, and quinoa together so that the quinoa is thoroughly coated in the sauce. Add salt to taste.
10) Cook over low heat for a couple minutes so that flavors are absorbed.
11) Serve in a deep bowl and enjoy!
My Review
Punjab Palace's biryani was flavorful and delicious. Unfortunately, the health-oriented foodie won't find that eating their dish regularly is wise. My vegetable quinoa biryani packs in the health benefits of quinoa along with savory Indian seasonings. Same flavors and a healthier twist!
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