Madras Mutton Biryani

This is our families all time favourite.Come sunday and this is a sure on our lunch menu.

Ingredients:

1lb(1/2kg)          Goat meat(Mutton) 
2no                    Onion(medium size)
2no                    Tomatoes
3cups                 Basmati Rice/Alzeera Rice
11/2tsp               Red Chillie Powder
1/2tsp                 Turmeric Powder
2tsp                    Coriander Powder
3inch                   Cinnamon stick
4no                     Cardamom pods
5no                     Cloves
2no                     Bay leaves
2no                     Star Anise
1pinch                 Black stone flower
5cloves               Garlic
3inch                  Ginger
3no                    Green chillies
4&1/2cup          Water
2tsp                   Salt(or to taste)
5tsp                   Oil
4tsp                   Ghee(clarified butter)
10no                  Mint leaves
2stalks               Coriander leaves

To marinate:

2Tbsp                Thick Yogurt
1tsp                   Salt
1pinch                Turmeric powder
1tsp                    Ginger&Garlic paste
1/2tsp                 Red chillie powder
1tsp                    Coriander powder

Method:
1.Chop the onions ,tomatoes,mint and coriander leaves.slit the green chillies.Crush the ginger and garlic .



Marinate the mutton pieces with the ingredients given under To marinate for atleast an hour.This will tenderise the meat and help absorb all the flavours of the masalas. 

Wash the rice and soak in 4&1/2 cups of water for 20mins.This helps in the even cooking of the rice.In this recipe I have used alzeera rice which very closely mimics zeeraga samba rice.

In a heavy bottom pan add the oil and ghee.When the oil is just about hot add the spices(cinnamon,cardamom,cloves,star anise,stoneflower and bay leaves).Fry for a minute.Now toss in the chopped onions and fry until golden brown.

When the onions are golden add the crushed ginger and garlic and fry for another minute.Now add the slit green chillies and the mint and coriander leaves and fry until the leaves are wilted.To this add the dry masala powders(chillie,turmeric,coriander) and saute.Finally add the marinated mutton pieces with the tomatoes and saute.Add salt and half a cup of water and cook the masala mixture for a minute or two.Transfer the contents to a pressure coker and pressure cook the meat until tender and soft.Normally 4 to 5 whistles on a medium high flame.When the steam is released check the meat, if not tender enough cook for anther couple of whistles.

Now we have the gravy ready.Add the soaked rice with the water.If the gravy is a little watery reduce the amount of water you add with the rice by half cup.Check for salt and pressure cook the rice on medium high for upto two whistles.remove the pot from the stove top to prevent the rice from burning on the bottom.Wait for the steam to release and open the lid .Wait for a couple of more minutes and then mix the rice taking care not to break it.

Delecious mutton biryani is now ready to be served.