~Hyderabadi chicken biryani~

This delicacy is relished by all who love spicy and richly aromatic food. 

It has a taste that is simply exquisite and the very aroma will make your mouth water.
Here is a recipe of authentic hyderabadi biryani that is sinfully tasty.  

Ingredients :

1. Basmati rice (soaked) - 1 kg
2. Chicken - 2 kg
3. Onions - 3 big (sliced)

For marination :

1. Curd - 2 1/2 cup
2. Red chilli powder - 2 tbsp
3. Salt - 2 tbsp
4. Turmeric powder - 1 tbsp
5. Ginger-garlic paste - 2 tbsp
6. Oil - 2 tbsp

Paste :  Coriander - 1 bunch
              Mint - 1/2 bunch
              Green chillies - 10-12
Garam masala Powder : Cardamom - 4
                                             Cloves - 4
                                             Cinnamon - 2 sticks
                                             Mace and Nutmeg - little amount
                                             Caraway seeds / shahzeera  - 1 tsp

For the rice :

1. Oil - 1 tbsp
2. Cardamom - 2
3. Cloves - 2
4. Cinnamon - 1 
5. Caraway seeds  - 1/2 tsp
6. Salt - to taste

For garnish :

1. Cashew nuts  - roasted
2. Coriander - finely chopped
3. Mint leaves - finely chopped
4. Color (kesar yellow and orange) separately mixed in a cup of milk
5. Onions - fried to golden brown color
6. Lemon - cut into wedges

Method  :

1. Heat 1 cup oil in a pan and add sliced onions.fry them till crispy and golden brown in color.
2. keep half of it for garnishing and put the half in marination.
3. In a large vessel add chicken with all the marination ingredients - Curd, Red chilli powder, Salt, Turmeric powder, Ginger-garlic paste, Oil, Coriander-mint-chilli paste and garam masala powder. Mix well.
4. Cover and leave for about 2-3 hours.
5. Meanwhile wash the rice and soak it in surplus water for about 1 hour.    
6. After 2 hours add 1 cup of water to the marinated chicken and cook on medium to high heat till done.  
7. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large vessel , add cardamom, cloves,cinnamon, caraway seeds.
8. Now add enough amount of water to cook the rice and let it come to a boil.
9. Add the drained rice, stir and let the rice cook till its 60% done.
10. Now drain the rice.
11. In a large vessel pour the chicken marinade spreading it evenly.
12. Now spread the drained rice over the chicken .
13. Put the chopped coriander, mint leaves, green chillies, both the colors, remaining oil after frying onions and fried onions.
14. Cover and cook on a medium flame for about 2 minutes then simmer and cook for another 5 minutes.
15. Serve hot garnished with cashew nuts and lemon wedges with dahi ki chutney, bagare baigan or  mirch ka saalan.

                                                   

                                 Enjoy and Good luck :)

Sending this recipe to :SIC #3, Anu's page,ep series