Indian Meat Recipes - Fragrant Lamb Biryani (Hyderabadi Kacchi Biryani) Recipe

Ingredients

• 12 oz (350 g) boneless lamb, cubed

• 12 oz (350 g) lamb with bone, cubed

• 2 1/2 tablespoons ghee or butter

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 7 cloves

• 1 cinnamon stick (3 in/8 cm)

• 3 bay leaves

• 2 black cardamom pods, bruised

• 7 green cardamom pods, bruised

• 3-4 green chilies, slit lengthwise

• 2 medium onions, sliced

• 1 teaspoon salt

Marinade

• 1 cup (250 g) hung yogurt

• 1/2 cup (125 ml) lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

• 2 teaspoons crushed garlic

• 2 teaspoons Garam Masala

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander

• 2 teaspoons ground red pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1/2 cup (25 g) fresh mint leaves

• 1/2 cup (25 g) fresh coriander leaves (cilantro)

• 1/2 tablespoon salt

Rice

• 2 green cardamom pods, bruised

• 3 cloves

• 1 cinnamon stick (1/2 in/3 cm)

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 blade of mace

• A few rose petals or 2-3 drops of rose essence

• 2 cups (400 g) uncooked long-grain rice, soaked 1 hour and drained

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Method:

1. To make the Marinade, combine all the ingredients. Coat the meat well and leave to marinate for at least 3 hours.

2. Prepare the Rice by placing the spices and seasonings into a large pot of water and bringing to a boil. Add the long-grain rice and boil rapidly for 3 minutes until just half-cooked, then drain thoroughly. Discard the whole spices and set the Rice aside.

3. Heat the ghee over moderate heat in a wok or casserole dish. Stir-fry the spices for 1 to 2 minutes until they begin to crackle, then add the chilies and onion and stir-fry until the onion is lightly browned. Add the salt and the marinated meat, stir a few times, then pour the Rice over the meat.

4. Heat the wok over moderate heat for 3 minutes, then reduce the heat to as low as possible and leave to cook for 45 minutes before serving.

Note: Vegetarians can use firm tofu in place of the meat, but the tofu needs to be scored first before marinating. Reduce the cooking time in step 3 to 15 minutes, or until the tofu is cooked.