recipes

Chef Thanigaimalai’s Mushroom Barnyard Millet Biryani Is a Delicious Tribute to Ancient Grains

Chef Thanigaimalai’s millet biryani pairs earthy mushrooms with ancient grains, served alongside cucumber palya and green apple raita—a wholesome, flavourful tribute to Karnataka’s rustic culinary roots.

Contributed By

Nishtha Kawrani

July 17, 2025

Mushroom Barnyard Millet Biryani Recipe

Mushroom Barnyard Millet Biryani Recipe

More than a rice dish, biryani is a layered symphony of spices, long-simmered flavours, and the rich pairing of fragrant grains with meat or vegetables. While feasts are incomplete without Biryanis, every tradition has its version of rich and hearty meals. The Mushroom Barnyard Millet Biryani is part of Karnataka’s rich culinary heritage, where millets are more than a tradition; they are a way of life. The millet biryani is a culinary delight with the nutty essence of millets and the goodness of meaty button mushrooms. 

Chef Thanigaimalai, Executive Chef at Regenta Jungle Resort Kabini Springs, brings the region’s love for nutrient-rich ancient grains and shares his recipe for palate-pleasing biryani. 

For a heartier spread, this Rustic Woodland Millet Feast at the resort features the delectable biryani with refreshing sides like cucumber palya(a sautéed vegetable dish), a South Indian dry curry that captures the essence of fresh cucumbers in a fragrant coconut embrace. Biryani finds its perfect partner in raita, which cuts through the bold spices with the cooling touch of seasoned yoghurt. The refreshing green apple raita served with the rice combines the tartness of green apples with cooling mint, making it the perfect palate cleanser for your feast.  Relish this soul-warming biryani, infused with aromatic whole spices and fresh herbs, creating a dish that is both rustic and refined. 

Prepare Mushroom & Barnyard Millet Biryani, Cucumber Palya and Green Apple Raita for a wholesome meal: 

Quick Info
Prep Time 30 min
Cook Time 40 min
Total Time 70 min
Servings 4
Difficulty easy
Ingredients
  • Barnyard millet (soaked for 30 mins like little pearls awakening) - 1 cup
  • Button mushrooms(sliced into earthy medallions) - 200 g
  • Onion(large) - 1 piece
  • Tomato - 1 piece
  • Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp
  • Green chillies - 2 piece
  • Mint & coriander leaves - 1 cup
  • A mix of whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, cloves - 0 g
  • Garam masala - 0.5 tsp
  • Turmeric - 0.25 tsp
  • Red chilli powder - 0.5 tsp
  • Thick curd - 2 tbsp
  • Ghee - 1 tbsp
  • Oil - 1 tbsp
  • Salt to taste - 0 g
  • Water - 2 cup
  • Cucumber - 1 piece
  • Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
  • Green chillies - 1 piece
  • Mustard seeds - 0.5 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1 tsp
  • Few curry leaves - 0 g
  • A pinch of hing - 0 g
  • Oil - 1 tsp
  • Salt to taste - 0 g
  • Green apple - 1 piece
  • Thick curd - 1 cup
  • Roasted cumin powder - 0.5 tsp
  • Few mint leaves - 0 g
  • Pinch of black pepper - 0 g
Instructions
Step-1 : Mushroom & Barnyard Millet Biryani
  • Heat ghee and oil in a thick-bottomed pan. Add whole spices and let them dance until fragrant - this is where the magic begins.
  • Add onions and sauté until they turn golden brown like autumn leaves. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and let it bloom.
  • Incorporate tomatoes, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook until tomatoes melt into a luscious base.
  • Add mushrooms, mint, and coriander. Let them mingle for 3-4 minutes, releasing their earthy essence.
  • Stir in curd and cook until the oil lovingly separates, creating a glossy coating.
  • Gently fold in the soaked millet, then add 2 cups of water. Taste and adjust salt.
  • Cover and cook on low flame for 15-18 minutes (or pressure cook for 2 whistles) - let time work its magic.
  • Rest for 10 minutes, then fluff up to reveal perfectly cooked grains embracing mushrooms.
Step-2 : Coconut-Kissed Cucumber Palya
  • Heat oil and add mustard seeds, urad dal, asafoetida, and curry leaves - let them splutter and release their essence.
  • Add green chili and cucumber, sauté lightly to awaken their flavours.
  • Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes - just enough to soften but maintain the cucumber's refreshing crunch.
  • Add salt and coconut, mix gently, and then turn off heat to preserve the delicate flavours.
Step-3 : Orchard Fresh Green Apple Raita
  • Whisk curd until it's smooth.
  • Fold in grated green apple, cumin powder, salt, pepper, and mint with gentle care.
  • Mix gently and chill before serving - let the flavors meld in cool harmony.
Recipe
Prep Time 30 min
Cook Time 40 min
Total Time 70 min
Servings 4
Difficulty easy
Ingredients
  • Barnyard millet (soaked for 30 mins like little pearls awakening) - 1 cup
  • Button mushrooms(sliced into earthy medallions) - 200 g
  • Onion(large) - 1 piece
  • Tomato - 1 piece
  • Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp
  • Green chillies - 2 piece
  • Mint & coriander leaves - 1 cup
  • A mix of whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, cloves - 0 g
  • Garam masala - 0.5 tsp
  • Turmeric - 0.25 tsp
  • Red chilli powder - 0.5 tsp
  • Thick curd - 2 tbsp
  • Ghee - 1 tbsp
  • Oil - 1 tbsp
  • Salt to taste - 0 g
  • Water - 2 cup
  • Cucumber - 1 piece
  • Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
  • Green chillies - 1 piece
  • Mustard seeds - 0.5 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1 tsp
  • Few curry leaves - 0 g
  • A pinch of hing - 0 g
  • Oil - 1 tsp
  • Salt to taste - 0 g
  • Green apple - 1 piece
  • Thick curd - 1 cup
  • Roasted cumin powder - 0.5 tsp
  • Few mint leaves - 0 g
  • Pinch of black pepper - 0 g
Instructions
Step-1 : Mushroom & Barnyard Millet Biryani
  • Heat ghee and oil in a thick-bottomed pan. Add whole spices and let them dance until fragrant - this is where the magic begins.
  • Add onions and sauté until they turn golden brown like autumn leaves. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and let it bloom.
  • Incorporate tomatoes, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook until tomatoes melt into a luscious base.
  • Add mushrooms, mint, and coriander. Let them mingle for 3-4 minutes, releasing their earthy essence.
  • Stir in curd and cook until the oil lovingly separates, creating a glossy coating.
  • Gently fold in the soaked millet, then add 2 cups of water. Taste and adjust salt.
  • Cover and cook on low flame for 15-18 minutes (or pressure cook for 2 whistles) - let time work its magic.
  • Rest for 10 minutes, then fluff up to reveal perfectly cooked grains embracing mushrooms.
Step-2 : Coconut-Kissed Cucumber Palya
  • Heat oil and add mustard seeds, urad dal, asafoetida, and curry leaves - let them splutter and release their essence.
  • Add green chili and cucumber, sauté lightly to awaken their flavours.
  • Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes - just enough to soften but maintain the cucumber's refreshing crunch.
  • Add salt and coconut, mix gently, and then turn off heat to preserve the delicate flavours.
Step-3 : Orchard Fresh Green Apple Raita
  • Whisk curd until it's smooth.
  • Fold in grated green apple, cumin powder, salt, pepper, and mint with gentle care.
  • Mix gently and chill before serving - let the flavors meld in cool harmony.
Note:
  • Double the ingredients when cooking for more people to ensure everyone gets a fluffy stack.
  • Swap out eggs for mashed bananas, yogurt, or flaxseed mix if you're vegetarian or allergic to eggs.
  • Use buttermilk instead of regular milk for extra soft and airy pancakes.
  • Let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking to get fluffier pancakes.
  • Cook on medium-low heat to avoid burning while ensuring even cooking.
  • Add vanilla extract or cinnamon for an extra touch of flavor.
  • Top with fresh fruits, nuts, or honey for a delicious and healthy twist.
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