Kolkata Biryani
The Nawabi biryani of Kolkata — aromatic basmati with a whole potato (the signature addition), boiled egg, and very lightly spiced meat, much more fragrant and restrained than Hyderabadi. No food colouring.
Cuisines
Bengali
Best for
Lunch
Dinner
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Recipe
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 40 min
Total: 60 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
|
2 cups | Basmati rice |
|
500 grams | Chicken , cut into pieces |
|
2 medium | Potato , peeled and halved |
|
2 tablespoons | Ghee |
|
2 tablespoons | Vegetable oil |
|
1 cup | Yogurt |
|
1 large | Onion , thinly sliced |
|
1 tablespoon | Ginger-garlic paste |
|
1 teaspoon | Turmeric powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Red chili powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Coriander powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Garam masala |
|
2 pieces | Bay Leaf |
|
4 pieces | Cardamom , green |
|
4 pieces | Clove |
|
1 inch | Cinnamon stick |
|
1 pinch | Saffron , strands |
|
1/4 cup | Milk , full-fat |
|
Salt | To taste |
|
Fresh | Cilantro , chopped |
Instructions
- 1 Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes.
- 2 Boil the potatoes with a pinch of turmeric and salt until half-cooked, then drain and set aside.
- 3 Heat oil in a pan and fry the sliced onions until golden brown, then set aside half for garnishing.
- 4 In the same pan, add the ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt, and sauté for a minute.
- 5 Add the chicken pieces and yogurt, and cook until the chicken is half-cooked.
- 6 In a separate pot, bring water to a boil with bay leaves, green cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Add the soaked rice and cook until 70% done, then drain.
- 7 In a heavy-bottomed pot, layer the potatoes, chicken mixture, and half-cooked rice.
- 8 Warm the milk and dissolve saffron strands in it, then pour over the rice.
- 9 Drizzle ghee over the top, sprinkle garam masala, and add the reserved fried onions.
- 10 Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- 11 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.
Tips
For extra flavour, use whole spices in the oil first.