CHICKEN BIRIYANI

I had learned this recipe from my mom. I used to help her when ever she used to prepare this recipe.

Once I told her that today I will prepare this recipe and that I will ask her for her guidance if needed.

And I started the usual process of marinating the chicken first with all those masala that my mom used to add. Every now and then I used to ask her how much masalas to add and what all to add. And then it was finally done. My first biriyani was good... a little more salt would have made it more better.

And then from there I used to prepare it each time we wanted to have it. Now I dont even remember when my mom last prepared the biriyani, Its like she has nearly forgotten... ha! ha! ha!... 

So here its a Chicken Biriyani,

Ingredients:

1. Chicken  --  1kg 
2. Curd  --  1 up
3. Sliced and fried onions  --  1 cup
4. Crushed garam masalas  --  (5-6 cloves, 3 green cardamoms, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 inch long cinnamon,)
5. Ginger and Garlic crushed  --  2 tbsp
6. Turmeric Powder  --  1tsp
7. Chilli Powder  --  1 tsp
8. Coriander and Mint Leaves  --  handful each.
9. Salt to taste

Method:

• Mix everything together nicely and let it marinate for some time. You can do this step overnight.
• Cook the chicken nicely in high flame for 2 minutes and then reduce the flame and cook till the chicken is done.

Ingredients for Rice:

1. Basmati Rice  --  2 glass washed and soaked in water for half and hour.
2. Whole Garam masala  --  2 inch long cinnamon, 2-3 cardamoms, 1 star anise, 2 Bay Leaf, 3cloves
3. Salt to taste (always add a little more salt if you are going to drain the starch so taste the starch and see if the salt is ok or else your biriyani will not taste good.

Method:

• Boil sufficient water along with garam masalas and then add the rice to the boiling water.
• When the rice is half done strain the starch and open the lid let the steam go away so that the rice doesn't cook over.

ASSEMBLING THE BIRIYANI YOU NEED:

1. Fried Onions  --  1 cup
2. Fried cashew nuts and kismish as per your choice
3. chopped oriander and mint leaves  --  1/2 cup
4. Lemon Juice  --  2 tsp
5. Ghee  --  4 tsp

• Now you have reached final stage of the biriyani
• In a biriyani handi add half of the rice top it with some fried onions, a tsp of lemon juice, about 2 tsp of ghee.
• Now add the cooked chicken and then again layer it with rice.
• Now repeat the garnishing and finally put the lid and seal using the foil.
• Now place the handi over a dosa tawa and add some water to it. Now keep the handi over it and let it double boil for about 15-20 minutes
• Do check for the water and add when ever needed.