To begin making the Andhra Style Vegetarian Biryani, soak the soy chunks in 1/4 cup water and keep it aside.

Soak the basmati rice also in water and keep it aside. Ground all the spice mix mentioned in the biryani spice mix to a coarse powder.

Heat a pressure cooker with oil.  Add bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise and mace. Fry the spice for 10 seconds until the aroma is released.

Add the chopped onions, ginger garlic paste and green chili. Sauté until the onions become light brown.

Add the chopped tomatoes and little bit of salt so that the tomatoes will get cooked faster and become mushy.

Add the powdered spice mix, turmeric powder and give it a mix.

Wash the soaked rice several times and add only the rice into the sautéed gravy. Add the soaked soya chunks as well. Mix well till the masala is mixed.

Add 4 cups of water, check for salt and pressure cook for 2 whistle and switch off the heat. Allow the pressure to release by itself and open the lid and mix the rice well with the masala and serve.

Serve the Andhra Style Vegetarian Biryani with Tomato Onion Cucumber Raita and Mirchi Ka Salan Recipe by the side.