Recipe: How to make Mutton Biryani

Mutton Biryani forms a major part of any special occasion or function. Though Biryani can be made using Chicken or Vegetables, but special occasions always demands Mutton Biryani.

It forms a specialty of Indian households and in this biryani masala is cooked separately and the rice separately, then the two are served together.

The main ingredient for Mutton Biryani is Best Basmati Rice and Mutton.

Ingredients for Masala

1 kg mutton cut into pieces

1 tblspn ginger paste

1 tblspn garlic paste

1 tsp red chilli powder

1-2 chopped green chillies

1 tsp cumin powder

500 gram onions, sliced then fried until golden

Pinch of cardamom powder

3 cinnamon sticks

4 cloves

2 tblspn lemon juice

250 ml curd

2 pinches of saffron

2-3 cups hot water

1/2 cup oil

4 tblspn tomato puree or paste whichever is available

2 fresh tomatoes which can be grated or blended

1 tsp turmeric powder

Orange food coloring

3 potatoes nicely peeled and halved, then fried

Ingredients for Rice

3 cups basmati rice, washed couple of times and then soaked for half an hour

Salt to taste

Saffron & food coloring

Oil

Whole spices

Instructions for Masala of the Biryani

Add meat in a vessel and then add salt, ginger and garlic paste, red chilli powder, chopped green chilli, half the fried onions, half the curd, 2 tblspn of the oil, cardamom powder, cumin powder, half of the tomato paste, turmeric powder, pinch of orange food color, pinch of saffron and lemon juice.

Mix the whole mixture very well and let it marinate overnight.

Heat some oil in a pressure cooker, than add the whole spices followed by the fresh tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes are dry, than add half of the remaining fried onions (reserve a handful for later) and all of the remaining paste, curd and saffron.

Now cook together for a few minutes, add the marinated mutton.

Let these simmer then add the hot water. See to it that the water completely covers the meat. If the need be add little more water and cover the pressure cooker.

Cook for about 25 minutes on medium heat or till the meat becomes tender.

Once ready, add the fried potatoes, mix and simmer on very low heat for a few minutes.

Sprinkle the remaining fried onions, then turn off the heat and set aside.

Instruction for Rice

Wash the Basmati rice nicely and then soak 3 cups of rice in water for about 20-30 mins.

Soak a few saffron strands in some water and set aside.

Bring a big pot of water to boil, add salt, 4 cardamom pods, 2-3 cinnamon sticks and 2-3 cloves plus about 2 tbsp. of oil.

Drain the soaked rice completely and add it to this water when it is boiling.

Cook until the rice is about 3/4 done, remove and strain out all the water.

Put half the rice back into the pan, drizzle about 2-3 tbsp. of oil and the saffron water.

Then add the remainder of the rice.

Add a bit of orange color on one side and mix it up a bit with a spoon then cover the pot tightly.

Steam this on low heat for 15 minutes or put in a 180 C preheated oven for about the same time.

Delicious Mutton Biryani made of Best Basmati rice is ready and can be served Biryani Masala on top.