Biriyani
INGREDIENTS
* 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (or any cooking oil that you use, should be mild smelling.)
* 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
* 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
* 1 medium onion, sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, crushed
* 1 tablespoon ginger paste
* 2 small green chile peppers
* 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
* 2 tablespoons garam masala
* 1 tablespoon dried mint
* salt and pepper to taste
* 5 sprigs cilantro
* 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, skin removed and cut into pieces
* 2 quarts water
* 4 cups uncooked basmati rice
* 1 bay leaf
* 4 pods green cardamom
* 1 pod black cardamom
* 1 cinnamon stick
* salt to taste
* 1/4 teaspoon powdered yellow food coloring
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat the olive oil (or any cooking oil) in a large skillet over medium heat. Mix in the yogurt and vinegar. Place the onion in the skillet, and cook until tender. Mix in the garlic, ginger paste, green chile peppers, and tomatoes. Cook and stir until tomatoes are tender. Season with garam masala, mint, salt, and pepper, and mix in the cilantro.
2. Place the chicken in the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and continue cooking 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken juices run clear.
3. Bring the water and rice to a boil in a large pot. Mix in the bay leaf, green cardamom, black cardamom, and cinnamon. Season with salt to taste. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes.
4. In a separate pot, alternate the rice and chicken mixture in layers, topping with rice. Sprinkle with the food coloring, and mix to serve.
You can substitute Chicken with any other meat. Cooking time is to be adjusted accordingly.
Serve with
Raita:
Ingredients:
Yogurt 1/2 kg.
Cucumber 250 grams
Mint leaves (minced) 1 tbsp.
Tomatoes 2
Green chilli (minced) 1 tbsp.
Black cumin seed (roasted) 1 tbsp.
Black pepper powder 1 tbsp.
Salt to taste
Method:
1. Grate the peeled cucumbers and keep aside
2. Cut tomatoes into small pieces and keep aside
3. Beat the yogurt to get smooth consistency. Add salt, black pepper powder, paste of green chillies and mint leaves. Mix well.
4. Add grated cucumbers and diced tomatoes. Mix well.
5. Sprinkle roasted cumin seeds on the top.