How to cook biryani rice

Biryani is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish loved mostly by the Swahili from the Coastal region.

It is a popular and beloved dish known for its rich blend of spices and tender meat or vegetables.

Whether it's a festive occasion or a regular meal, biryani is always a crowd-pleaser.

In this recipe, we will guide you through the steps of preparing a delicious and authentic biryani that will impress your family and friends.

So, let's get started and create a mouthwatering biryani experience together.

Ingredients:

2 cups basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes

500g chicken or lamb, cut into pieces

1 cup plain yogurt

3 large onions, thinly sliced

4 tomatoes, chopped

1/4 cup cooking oil or ghee

2 tablespoons biryani masala

1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon red chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

4-5 green cardamom pods

4-5 cloves

2-inch cinnamon stick

1 bay leaf

Fresh coriander and mint leaves for garnish

Procedure 

Boil soaked rice in a large pot of water until it's partially cooked.

Drain the water and set aside.

Mix yogurt, biryani masala, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder and red chili powder. Marinate the meat in this mixture for at least 1-2 hours.

In a separate pan, heat oil or ghee then fry sliced onions until golden brown and crispy. Remove half for later garnish.

In the same pan, add cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaf. Sauté for a minute.

Add marinated meat and cook until it's browned.

In a deep oven-proof dish, layer half of the preboiled rice, followed by the cooked meat, chopped tomatoes and half of the fried onions.

Repeat the process adding the layers at a time, finishing with a layer of rice on top.

Sprinkle saffron-soaked milk (or yellow food colour) on the top layer of rice.

Garnish with the remaining fried onions, fresh coriander and mint leaves.

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil or a lid to create a seal.

Place the dish in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked.

Gently fluff the rice with a fork. Serve while hot, ensuring you scoop from different layers to get a mix of rice and meat.

Enjoy your flavorful biryani!