Malabar Biriyani

My friend Noora who is from Kozhikode makes excellent malabar biriyani. Following is the copy paste of the recipe she gave me. Though the preparation is time consuming the final results are very much worth the effort.

For marinating Chicken (full chicken cut into medium size pieces)

1. In a vessel add 3 sliced onions,3 chopped tomatoes, 1 sprig curry leaves,20 chopped green chillies,6 cloves of garlic chopped,3 cm ginger chopped, coriander leaves and mint leaves.Mix thoroughly with hand.

2. Add chicken,3 tbsp coriander powder, 1 tsp turmeric powder and salt. Mix well.

3. Heat cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon in medium heat and grind. 2 tbsp of this powder is required.

4. Add 1 tbsp of the above spice powder, 3tbsp yogurt and 1 tbsp lemon juice.

5. Mix with hand thoroughly for 5 minutes – Keep it aside for 10minutes.

For Garnishing

6. Add ghee/oil in pan

7. Fry cashew nuts and raisins.Drain and keep aside

8. Deep fry 2 big onions sliced very thin in same oil, till it becomes brown (add a pinch of salt for taste).Drain and keep aside.

Cooking Chicken

9. Take a pan and add 3 tbsp oil.

10. Add the marinated chicken, close with lid and cook the chicken on low heat.DONOT add water.(This will take 30 to 45mts)

Preparing ghee rice

11. Add 5 tbsp ghee to a hot pan.

12. Add a pinch of jeera, a pinch spice powder from step 3,salt and 8 cups of water.

13. When the water boils add 4 cups of washed and drained basmati rice and cook till rice is done.

Final layering

14. Layer half of the chicken in a big vessel.

15. Add the cooked rice on top of chicken

16. Layer with fried onion and sprinkle spice powder from step 5.

17. Garnish with chopped coriander and mint leaves, fried cashew nuts and raisins

18. Repeat from step 14 till the rice and chicken is over.

19. Cover it with aluminium foil and keep aside for 30minutes before serving.