Baby Jackfruit Biryani

Baby jackfruit biryani is an interesting and fun version of traditional biryani. It utilizes baby jackfruit, which is also known as gac. Gac is extensively cultivated in South East Asia. It is much smaller than typical jackfruit and is orange in color as opposed to jackfruit’s yellow coloring.  Gac gives the biryani an orange coloring that just adds to the novelty of eating the dish. Be adventurous and give this fruit a try today; you won’t regret it once you taste it.

Health Benefits

Baby jackfruit or gac is native to Vietnam where it is often used to provide color to dishes. It’s orange to pink coloring is unique amongst fruits and instantly recognizable. Gac has a high carotenoid content including lycopene and beta-carotene. These carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that help prevent and fight cancers by eliminating cancer-causing free radicals in the body. Not only does gac help prevent cancer, but it also helps to stop the creation and multiplication of cancer-causing cells.

Ingredients

cup baby jack fruit pieces: 1

cup basmati rice – soaked in water for 30 mins: 2

medium sized onion – chopped: 2

medium sized tomatoes: 2

cup mint leaves: 1

tbsp ginger garlic paste: 1

cloves: 4

cinnamon stick: 1

bay leaf: 1

green cardamoms: 3

Star Anise: 1

tbsp butter: 1

tsp turmeric powder: 1/2

tsp red chilli powder: 1

tsp coriander powder: 1

cup thick curd: 1

tbsp lemon juice: 1

salt to taste

How To Make Baby Jackfruit Biryani

1. Fry the jackfruit pieces in oil till the raw smell disappears. Remove from the heat and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add butter. Sauté cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, and bay leaf until aromatic and add chopped onions
3. Follow up with ginger-garlic paste and mint leaves. Fry for 2 mins and add tomatoes.
4. Add turmeric, chilli, and coriander powders.
5. Mix well and add fried jackfruit pieces.
6. Add thick curd and little salt and cook it covered for 10 mins on low flame.
7. Add 4 cups water and let boil.
8. Finally, add soaked rice and salt to taste.
9. Sprinkle lemon juice and cook covered for 15 mins.
10. Garnish with chopped coriander and enjoy! 

Trivia 

Baby jackfruit or gac is also referred to as "Heaven's fruit" due to its many health properties.