Irachi Biryani - Mutton Biryani with Coconut and Curd
Ingredients
Serves: 4
A Muslim dish.
500 gms mutton
1 1/4 cups basmati rice
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp + 1tsp salt
2 1/2 tbsp + 1/2 tbsp ghee
2 1/2 tbsp sultanas (kishmish)
2 1/2 tbsp cashewnuts
2 medium-sized onions,chopped
3 medium-sized tomatoes,chopped
3 green chillies,slit
3 sprigs coriander leaves,chopped
2 stalks curry leaves
Scant 1/2 cup curd,whisked
Ground to a fine paste:
5 cloves garlic,chopped
5-cm piece ginger,chopped
5-cm stick cinnamon,broken into pieces
3 cloves
2 tsp fennel seeds(badi saunf)
2 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp black pepper powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 cup water
Ground to a fine paste:
1/2 medium-sized,fresh coconut,grated
3/4 cup water
Method of Preparation
Wash meat,drain and cut into 5-cm pieces.
Place in a pressure cooker with 1/2 cup water and cook under pressure for 30 minutes.
Wash rice and drain.Place in a pan with turmeric,1 tsp salt and 3/4 cups lukewarm water,and mix gently.Bring to boil,lower heat,cover pan and cook till water is absorbed.
Heat 2 1/2 tbsp ghee in a pan,add sultanas and fry till they puff up.Remove from pan,drain and set aside.Add cashewnuts and fry till golden brown.Remove from pan,drain and set aside.
Add onions to pan and fry till golden brown.
Lower heat,stir in spice paste and fry for 5 minutes,stirring constantly.
Add meat with its stock,1 tsp salt and 1/4 cup water,and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
Mix in tomatoes,green chillies,coriander leaves,curry laeves,curd and coconut paste.Cook till gravy thickens and remove from heat.
Grease a casserole with 1/2 tbsp ghee.Spread meat,rice and reserved sultanas and cashewnuts (in this order) in layers.Repeat layers,ensuring that the topmost layer is rice garnished with sultanas and cashewnuts.
Cover tightly and place casserole on a tava or griddle over very low heat for 5 minutes.Remove from heat and serve with date and lime pickle.
Variation: Chicken can be substituted for mutton.In that case,there is no need to cook the chicken in advance.
