Ambur Biryani
A pungently spiced biryani originating from Ambur in Tamil Nadu — bone-in mutton cooked in a masala heavy with star anise, marathi mokku, and dried red chillies, layered with seeraga samba rice. The gravy is less oily than Hyderabadi biryani, drier than Thalassery, and served with a distinctive watery brinjal gravy (brinjal salna) and curd raita. The Nawabs of Arcot are credited with introducing this style.
Cuisines
Madras
Best for
Lunch
Dinner
Build a full meal around Ambur Biryani
Get a matched combo of sides and accents
Recipe
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 40 min
Total: 60 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
|
1.5 cups | Rice , raw |
|
300 grams | Chicken , cut into pieces |
|
2 tablespoons | Ghee |
|
2 tablespoons | Oil |
|
1 cup | Onion , thinly sliced |
|
1 cup | Tomato , chopped |
|
1 tablespoon | Ginger-garlic paste |
|
1 cup | Yogurt |
|
1 teaspoon | Red chili powder |
|
0.5 teaspoon | Turmeric powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Coriander powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Garam masala |
|
1 teaspoon | Fennel Seed |
|
1 stick | Cinnamon |
|
3 | Clove |
|
3 | Cardamom |
|
2 | Bay Leaf |
|
1 handful | Mint , chopped |
|
1 handful | Cilantro , chopped |
|
3 cups | Water |
|
— | Salt , to taste |
Instructions
- 1 Wash and soak the seeraga samba rice for 20 minutes, then drain.
- 2 Heat ghee and oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- 3 Add fennel seeds, cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms, and bay leaves, and sauté until fragrant.
- 4 Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.
- 5 Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.
- 6 Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn soft.
- 7 Mix in the chicken pieces and cook until they are lightly browned.
- 8 Add red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt, and mix well.
- 9 Pour in the curd and cook until the chicken is well coated with the masala.
- 10 Add mint leaves and coriander leaves, and sauté for a minute.
- 11 Pour in 3 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
- 12 Add the soaked and drained rice, and mix gently.
- 13 Cover the pot and cook on low heat for about 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and water is absorbed.
- 14 Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve hot.
Tips
For extra flavour, use whole spices in the oil first.