Biryani- Who doesn't love biryani?! Is there anyone who hate biryani?! guess no one will be on that list ;) Biryani,Pulaos are one of my favorite one pot meal. Even my H & kids are very fond of biryani/Pulao. So I end up cooking these rice very often, say almost every Weekend or at least once in a week. These Biryani/pulao are very easy to make one pot meal with great taste and flavor. And also it doesn't require any special side dishes simply a Raita is enough and makes a grand meal to us :)
Recently tried Mutton Biryani and it came out so perfectly and tasted delicious more than to my expectation. Since this is the first time i tried mutton on my own hand. To be on safer side i tried Biryani.
Simply wanted to try Mutton recipes only for blog sake, to add varieties to my Non-Vegetarian Recipe Index. During my child-hood days i was fond of mutton and hate chicken n chicken recipes. But suddenly a strong aversion towards non-veg and i completely stopped eating it and dunno the reason. Then after marriage slowly started cooking chicken(its easy to cook n also cook) for my H because he is fond of Chicken recipes and During my 1st pregnancy due to vitamin B12 deficiency Dr. Suggested me to include non vegetarian in my diet. So from that time i started having chicken.
Now again a thought Y not to try Mutton and at least my kids n H may like it and also i can use the recipes for my blog ;) So one fine Sunday called my mom n got the recipes n all instructions to cook mutton and tried it in my own way. To my surprise it was too good than my mom's biryani. This is a pressure cooker mutton biryani which doesn't involve more ingredients n preparation process, very easy mutton biryani with great taste n flavor than any restaurant recipes. I like to add peas to my Biryani but its purely optional. The same Biryani recipe can be done with Chicken also except the sauteing & pressure cook step, chicken cooks faster and requires only 1-2 whistle or just 20 minutes whereas the mutton requires more time and also its a must to saute mutton with spices/masala for min 5-6 minutes. This is the most imp step which my mom told me to follow compulsory and not to cook it in hurry. Since the sauteing of mutton makes it to cook juicy & tender. Hope u will like My Mutton Biryani, if so Plz give it a try and then u will accept my words..Now off to the recipe....
Ingredients
- Basmati Rice 2 cups
- Onion 2 medium (sliced)
- Tomato 2 medium ( chopped)
- Ginger Garlic Paste 1 tbsp
- Green chilli 4 no.s(slit open)
- Mint leaves 2-3 tbsp (finely chopped)
- Cilantro/Coriander leaves 1/4 cup (finely chopped)
- Green peas 1/2 cup (fresh or frozen - optional)
- Chilli powder 1/2 tsp or 1 tsp
- Salt to taste
- Orange Food colour a generous pinch(optional)
For Marination
- Mutton 1 lb or 1/2 kg(cut into small pieces)
- Yogurt/curd 1-2 tbsp
- Ginger Garlic paste 1-2 tsp
- Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
- Biryani Masala powder 1 tsp (optional-can replace with Garam masala powder also)
To Temper
- Oil 2-3 tbsp
- Fennel seeds 1/4 tsp
- Clove 5 no.s
- Cinnamon 2" stick
- Cardamom 4 no.s
- Bay leaf 1 big
Method
- First wash mutton thoroughly drain excess water then marinate with the ingredients given under the heading "For Marination" and cover it and keep aside for at least 40-60 minutes.
- Wash and soak rice in water for at least 20-30 minutes.
- Heat oil in a skillet/pressure cooker, add the tempering ingredients one by one then add onion, half of the mint leaves & cilantro sprinkle little salt and saute for 1-2 minutes.
- Then add ginger garlic paste and saute till the raw smell leaves.
- After that add green chilli & chopped tomato and saute till tomato turns soft n mushy.
- Now add the marinated mutton, chilli powder and saute for 5-6 minutes.
- Then add 1 cup water and enough salt stir well and pressure cook for 6-7 whistles.
- Once done switch off the stove and allow the pressure to cool down then open the lid.
- Again switch on the stove now and add green peas and enough water to cook rice(ie. for 2 cup rice i always use 4 cups water, so to cook mutton have added 1 cup already and now add 3 cups water) and remaining half cilantro n mint leaves and allow it to boil.
- Once it starts boiling add soaked & drained rice and cook till rice done or u can pressure cook for 1 whistle.
- I usually cook without pressure, i cook in medium high heat till the 80% water drained, after that i turn the heat to low and then cover the vessel with clean kitchen towel then put the lid and cook for 6-7 minutes.
- That's it...Flavorful Mutton Biryani ready, Garnish with some finely chopped cilantro & fried onions.
Notes:
The same way instead of Mutton, can also make Chicken Biryani except the sauteing & pressure cook step, chicken cooks faster and requires only 1-2 whistle or just 20 minutes.
Adding biryani masala powder is optional, as its my first time to keep on safer side i added it for flavor, i used Suhana biryani masala powder.
Marination is important and even u can let it rest for more than 1 hour, this way the meat get tenderize with yogurt n blends with spices and gives u soft, juicy n spicy mutton.
After pressure cooking the mutton with masala, check your mutton pieces if you feel its not cooked or still hard then add a pinch of baking soda and cook for another 3-4 whistles and then add enough water and rice.
