Biryani II
      Posted by Malini on October 17, 1997 at 17:38:49

      This particular dish has more of an Indian flavor to it than
      the other biryani recipe.

      Serves 6.

      Ingredients

      1 lb meat (chicken/mutton), cut into 1 1/2" cubes
      2 cups rice, washed and drained
      1/3 cup raisins
      1/3 cup green peas (optional)
      1/3 cup cashew nuts
      5 cloves garlic, minced
      1 inch piece of ginger, finely grated
      1 tsp chillie powder
      1 tbsp curry powder
      2 medium onions, sliced into rings
      2 medium tomatoes, diced
      5 mint leaves
      1/2 tsp of turmeric
      3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
      5 tbsp butter or ghee
      3 cardamoms
      3 cloves
      2 inch stick of cinnamon
      salt to taste

      Method

      Saute the onions and the cashew in the butter until golden brown,
      about 5-7 minutes. Add the green peas and raisins and fry for a
      few more minutes. Remove from the fire, and put them aside.

      Put the ginger, garlic, chillie powder, curry powder into the
      same pan used above and saute for 3-4 minutes. Add the meat and
      saute. Mutton should be sauted for about 7-8 minutes, while the
      chicken will take about 4-5 minutes. The meat should be about half
      cooked at the end of this step.

      Add chopped tomatoes, cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms, turmeric,
      mint leaves and salt and saute for 2 minutes. Add a little water
      and cook until the meat is almost cooked. Now add the rice and
      potatoes. Add the rest of the water and simmer covered, on a very
      low flame for 15-20 minutes, until the rice is cooked.

      If you are using a rice cooker the transfer the meat to the rice cooker,
      add the rice and sufficient water and cook according to directions.

      Serve hot, garnished with the fried onions.