Biryani

Biryani is the royal dish among all the exotic rice dishes. The magic of biryani lies in the way rice is transformed into something luscious. The aromatic, heavenly and one of the most loved Mutton biryani is made with rice, meat, vegetable, saffron, and heart-warming herbs & spices. Origin of Biryani has remained a focal point of discussion among culinary experts but truth is whoever invented this has given an abundance of joy to everyone. Today I’m here writing a recipe about Biryani, not just a biryani a special homemade mutton biryani.

List of Ingredients you will need:

Ingredients for Marinade

• ·       3 to 4 lbs. Mutton (leg meat)
• ·       4-5 tablespoon oil
• ·       4 tablespoon fresh garlic paste
• ·       Salt to taste (normally 1 tablespoon salt)
• ·       Red chilly powder to taste (normally 2 tablespoon Chilly power)
• ·       ½ to ¾ tablespoon peppercorns
• ·       4 tablespoon fresh ginger paste
• ·       6 fried golden crisp onion paste
• ·       ½  tablespoon turmeric power
• ·       ½ small bowl of finely chopped coriander
• ·       ½  cup of finely chopped fresh mint leaves
• ·       ½ of lemon juice
• ·       Garam masala (10 green cardamoms, 5 black cardamom, 6 cloves, 2 to 4 cinnamon sticks and ½  tablespoon cumin seeds)
• ·       6 oz. to 7 oz. water
• ·       1 small bowl Yoghurt or curd (thick)

Ingredients to be added to boiling water for rice

• ·       Salt to taste ( 1 tablespoon salt)
• ·       4 bay leaves
• ·       4 cinnamon sticks
• ·       3 black cardamom
• ·       ¼ tablespoon black peppercorns
• ·       ¼ tablespoon cloves
• ·       2 tablespoon ghee
• ·       3 mugs (½ kg) basmati rice (Soaked in water for about 15 mins.)
• ·       35 oz. water

Ingredients for Biryani

• ·       1 tablespoon Ghee
• ·       Fried potatoes (optional)
• ·       ½ cup saffron soaked in milk
• ·       Dough ( for sealing, its optional)

Ingredients for Garnishing

• ·      ¼ bowl of fried crisp onions
• ·       ¼ cup of finely chopped fresh mint leaves
• ·       ¼ cup of finely chopped coriander

Here’s a very simple list what to do:

First, grind finely chopped fresh green coriander, fresh mint and all the marinade ingredients in a blender to make a fine paste.

Pour the mixture in a bowl and add Yogurt (Yogurt must be thick and it shouldn’t be sweet)

Cover mutton piece with the marinade mixture (make sure you mix it up with your hand until each piece is coated) and leave it for about 10 minutes. (For best result)

Now it’s time to cook mutton meat.

For that take a heavy-based large pan or just a pressure cooker. (I prefer pressure cooker because it’s quick and easy) Press the meat for 3-4 whistles i.e. for about 20 mins on a low flame/heat. (You can just smell the goodness when it’s ready)

After that, take another pan and boil 35 oz. water. Add all above ingredients for rice to boiling water and lastly, add soaked rice which is soaked for about 15 minutes. Cook the rice for about 10 to 12 minutes. (Yah, it’s a indeed time consuming process but the end result is fabulous)

When rice smells nice and seems good, drain off the water and let it cool for 5 mins.

Take another heavy-based pan, spread 1 tablespoon ghee all over or use butter. (But ghee just complement the biryani)

Finally, layer the pan with half quantity of rice then layer with mutton gravy and some fried potatoes. (Potatoes are optional)

Again, layer with remaining rice (remember don’t press the rice, just spread rice around in a thin layer)

For final touch, pour ½ cup of saffron soaked with milk. (Gives a nice yellow color). Add tablespoon ghee, sprinkle some mint, green coriander leaves and fried crispy onions. Let it cook for 15 more minutes in low heat. (Seal the vessel with dough so that air is not leaked)

Here, we are ready to have Mutton biryani with spoon or hands. You will figure out it’s a unique and aromatic biryani. Just can’t explain the flavor, these flavors dance so well together. I literally have party inside my mouth, when I have them. (It’s hot, juicy, soft, tender, crispy onions and addictive taste of mutton. I’m hungry now and it’s perfect excuse to have biryani right away.)