Savory Turkey Biryani with Cashew and Raisin Topping
Elevate your holiday leftovers with this delightful Turkey Biryani recipe, derived from the 'Waitrose Seasons' magazine. Perfectly seasoned and infused with aromatic spices, this dish transforms your leftover Christmas turkey into a hearty, flavorful meal bursting with textures and tastes. The nutty cashew nuts and sweet raisins provide a delicious contrast to the tender turkey, while the fragrant basmati rice acts as the perfect base. Whether enjoyed during the festive season or any time of year, this Turkey Biryani promises to be a crowd-pleaser that uses ingredients you likely already have on hand.
N/A
Servings
433
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Peanut oil
5 tablespoons (for frying)
Onions
3 large (finely sliced)
Cashew nuts
50 g (shelled, whole)
Raisins
25 g (for topping)
Curry paste
2 tablespoons (to taste)
Cooked turkey (or chicken)
400 g (cut into cubes)
Chopped tomatoes (or passata)
690 g (for sauce)
Basmati rice
250 g (washed and drained)
Green cardamom pods
3 (lightly crushed)
Cinnamon stick
1 (broken)
Black peppercorns
6 (for flavor)
Cloves
3 (for flavor)
Saffron strands
1 pinch (soaked in rose water)
Rose water
3-5 drops (for flavor)
Instructions
1
In a large flameproof casserole dish, heat 2 tablespoons of peanut oil over medium heat.
2
Add one-third of the finely sliced onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to caramelize and turn golden brown.
3
Stir in the cashew nuts, frying for an additional 2-3 minutes until they are lightly golden and fragrant.
4
Remove the onion and nut mixture from the pan using a slotted spoon and combine it with the raisins; set this aside for later use.
5
Lower the heat slightly and add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the remaining onions and curry paste, covering the dish, and cook for approximately 10 minutes until the onions are very soft.
6
Incorporate the cubed cooked turkey into the pan, stir-frying for an additional 2-3 minutes to warm through.
7
Pour in the chopped tomatoes and let the mixture simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
8
While the turkey mixture simmers, wash the basmati rice in a sieve under running water until the water runs clear, then drain thoroughly.
9
In a large saucepan with a lid, heat the remaining oil and add the green cardamom, cinnamon stick, black peppercorns, and cloves. Cook for a few seconds until fragrant.
10
Add the washed rice to the saucepan, stirring for 3-4 minutes until lightly toasted.
11
Carefully add 600 ml of boiling water, season with salt, and bring back to a gentle boil. Stir very briefly, then cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed.
12
Soak the saffron strands in the rose water with 1 tablespoon of hot water for added flavor.
13
Off the heat, season the turkey mixture to taste. Layer one-third of the fried onion mixture on top of the turkey, then add half of the cooked rice.
14
Sprinkle half of the remaining fried onions over the rice, followed by half of the saffron and rose water mixture.
15
Repeat the layers with the remaining rice, onions, saffron, and rose water.
16
Cover the pan tightly with a lid and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and steam the rice.
17
Alternatively, you can transfer the mixture to a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius (gas mark 6) and bake for 6-10 minutes.
18
Serve your Turkey Biryani hot, garnished with roughly chopped fresh coriander for a burst of color and flavor.
Nutrition Information
20
Fat
47
Carbs
20
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Turkey Biryani?
It is a flavorful rice dish that transforms leftover holiday turkey into a hearty meal using aromatic spices, basmati rice, and a cashew and raisin topping.
Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
Yes, the recipe specifies that 400g of cooked chicken cut into cubes can be used as a substitute for turkey.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving contains 433 calories.
What type of oil is recommended for this recipe?
Peanut oil is recommended for frying the onions, nuts, and rice.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe requires 3 large onions that should be finely sliced.
What kind of nuts are used for the topping?
50g of shelled, whole cashew nuts are used to provide a crunchy texture.
Can I use passata instead of chopped tomatoes?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of 690g of passata as an alternative to chopped tomatoes.
What type of rice is best for this biryani?
Basmati rice is the preferred choice for its fragrant aroma and long grains.
Do I need to wash the rice before cooking?
Yes, you should wash the basmati rice in a sieve under running water until the water runs clear, then drain it thoroughly.
What whole spices are added to the rice?
The rice is flavored with green cardamom pods, a cinnamon stick, black peppercorns, and cloves.
How much water is required to cook the rice?
You should add 600 ml of boiling water to the toasted rice.
How long does the rice need to simmer?
The rice should simmer covered for 10-12 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed.
How do I prepare the saffron?
Soak a pinch of saffron strands in rose water with one tablespoon of hot water.
How many drops of rose water should be used?
Use 3-5 drops of rose water for a delicate floral flavor.
How do I caramelize the onions?
Sauté one-third of the sliced onions in peanut oil for 3-4 minutes until they turn golden brown.
What is the purpose of the raisins?
Raisins provide a sweet contrast to the savory turkey and aromatic spices.
How long should the turkey mixture simmer with tomatoes?
The mixture should simmer covered for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
How much curry paste is used?
Use 2 tablespoons of curry paste, which can be adjusted to your taste.
Can I cook this biryani in the oven?
Yes, you can bake the layered biryani in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for 6-10 minutes.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 20g of fat.
How much protein is in this dish?
There are 20g of protein per serving.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
One serving contains 47g of carbohydrates.
What should I use as a final garnish?
Garnish the hot biryani with roughly chopped fresh coriander for color and flavor.
Where did this recipe originate?
This recipe is derived from the 'Waitrose Seasons' magazine.
How do I layer the dish?
Layer the fried onion mixture, cooked rice, and saffron water over the turkey mixture twice before steaming.
Should the cardamom pods be prepared in any specific way?
The green cardamom pods should be lightly crushed before being added to the saucepan.
How do I know when the cashews are done frying?
Fry them for 2-3 minutes until they are lightly golden and fragrant.
How long do the onions cook with the curry paste?
Cook them covered for approximately 10 minutes until they are very soft.
How long should I toast the rice in the pan?
Stir the rice in the spiced oil for 3-4 minutes until it is lightly toasted.
Is this recipe suitable for leftover Christmas turkey?
Yes, it is specifically designed to elevate holiday leftovers into a flavorful festive meal.