Spiced Lamb Biryani Delight
Indulge in the rich and aromatic flavors of Spiced Lamb Biryani Delight, a renowned one-dish meal hailing from the heart of Indian cuisine. This hearty dish features tender, succulent chunks of lamb or mutton, marinated and cooked to perfection with a blend of fragrant spices and herbs. Layered with aromatic basmati rice and garnished with fresh mint and coriander, every bite is an explosion of flavor and fragrance. Often enjoyed at festive gatherings or special occasions, this biryani will fill your home with tantalizing scents and warm the hearts of those you share it with. Serve with a side of cooling yogurt or raita to elevate the dining experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
mutton or lamb
1 lb (cubed)
cloves
2 (whole)
black cardamom pods
2 big (whole)
green cardamoms
2 small (whole)
cinnamon stick
1 (whole)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
shah jeera
2 teaspoons (whole)
coriander powder
2 teaspoons (ground)
salt
to taste (n/a)
chili powder
2 teaspoons (ground)
nutmeg
1/4 (ground)
garam masala powder
2 teaspoons (ground)
yogurt
2 tablespoons (plain)
cooked rice
1 lb (n/a)
saffron
1/2 teaspoon (mixed with 1 tablespoon warm milk)
mint leaves
1/2 cup (fresh)
coriander leaves
1/2 cup (fresh)
pure ghee (clarified butter)
4 tablespoons (melted)
water
3 cups (n/a)
Instructions
1
In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the ghee over medium heat until it melts.
2
Add the whole spices (cloves, black cardamom, green cardamom, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and shah zeera) to the pot. Sauté for a minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
3
Stir in the ground spices (coriander powder, chili powder, ground nutmeg, and garam masala) and cook for another minute.
4
Quickly add the yogurt, mixing well with the spice blend. Fry this mixture for about a minute to incorporate the flavors.
5
Introduce the cubed lamb or mutton to the pot, tossing it to coat thoroughly in the spice mixture. Cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the meat to brown and absorb the yogurt's essence.
6
Season with salt to taste, and then pour in enough water to completely submerge the meat. Bring to a simmer.
7
Cover and cook on medium-low heat for around 40 minutes, or until the meat is tender and the liquid has almost evaporated. Set aside.
8
Divide the cooked rice into two equal parts. Mix saffron into one half of the rice.
9
In the same pot with the meat, layer the saffron rice, followed by half of the meat mixture. Sprinkle with fresh mint and coriander leaves.
10
Top with the remaining plain rice and the rest of the meat. Ensure the pot is sealed tightly to trap the steam.
11
On low flame, cook for an additional 10 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb the aromatic flavors of the spices and meat.
12
Gently invert the biryani onto a large serving dish. Serve hot with plain yogurt or raita, offering a refreshing balance to the rich flavors.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spiced Lamb Biryani Delight?
It is a renowned one-dish meal from Indian cuisine featuring tender chunks of lamb or mutton, aromatic basmati rice, and a blend of fragrant spices and herbs.
What types of meat can be used in this biryani?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of either cubed lamb or mutton.
What whole spices are required for the recipe?
The recipe uses cloves, black cardamom pods, green cardamoms, a cinnamon stick, a bay leaf, and shah jeera.
Which ground spices are included in the spice blend?
The ground spices used are coriander powder, chili powder, ground nutmeg, and garam masala powder.
How much ghee is used in the cooking process?
The recipe requires 4 tablespoons of melted pure ghee or clarified butter.
How is the saffron prepared for the rice?
1/2 teaspoon of saffron should be mixed with 1 tablespoon of warm milk.
What is the first step in cooking the biryani?
The first step is to heat the ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until it melts.
How is the meat cooked before layering?
The meat is browned in spices and yogurt, then submerged in 3 cups of water and simmered for about 40 minutes until tender.
Is the rice pre-cooked for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe requires 1 lb of already cooked rice.
How many cardamom pods are used?
The recipe uses 2 big black cardamom pods and 2 small green cardamoms.
How much yogurt is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt.
What herbs are used for garnishing and layering?
Fresh mint leaves and fresh coriander leaves are used, 1/2 cup of each.
How long should the biryani steam after layering?
The biryani should be cooked on a low flame for an additional 10 minutes once layered and sealed.
What are the suggested side dishes for Spiced Lamb Biryani Delight?
It is recommended to serve the biryani with cooling yogurt or raita.
How much coriander powder is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of ground coriander powder.
How many cloves are added to the pot?
Two whole cloves are added to the pot.
What is shah jeera?
Shah jeera, also known as shah zeera, is a whole spice used in the dish; the recipe requires 2 teaspoons.
How much water is added to simmer the meat?
3 cups of water are poured in to submerge the meat.
How is the saffron rice created?
The cooked rice is divided into two parts, and the saffron-milk mixture is mixed into one half.
What is the preparation for the nutmeg?
The recipe uses 1/4 of ground nutmeg.
How much chili powder is used for spice?
2 teaspoons of ground chili powder are included.
Is salt added to the recipe?
Yes, salt is added to taste.
How is the biryani served?
It is gently inverted onto a large serving dish and served hot.
How much garam masala powder is needed?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of ground garam masala powder.
What is the purpose of the 10-minute final cooking stage?
This allows the rice to absorb the aromatic flavors of the spices and the meat.
How many bay leaves are used?
One whole bay leaf is used in the spice mixture.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 19 ingredients in total.
How is the meat prepared before cooking?
The lamb or mutton should be cubed.
When is this dish typically served?
It is often enjoyed at festive gatherings or special occasions.
How should the spices be sautéed?
They should be sautéed for about a minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.