Yakhni Pulao
Basmati rice cooked directly in a rich, aromatic meat stock (yakhni) — perfumed with whole spices and topped with caramelised onions and fried raisins. Subtler than biryani but equally regal.
Cuisines
Awadhi
Kashmiri
Mughlai
Best for
Lunch
Dinner
Build a full meal around Yakhni Pulao
Get a matched combo of sides and accents
Recipe
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 40 min
Total: 60 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
|
1 cup | Basmati rice |
|
300 grams | Mutton , pieces |
|
1 medium | Onion , thinly sliced |
|
1 cup | Yogurt |
|
1 inch | Ginger , sliced |
|
4 cloves | Garlic , finely chopped |
|
2 tablespoons | Ghee |
|
1 | Bay Leaf |
|
4 | Cardamom , green |
|
4 | Clove |
|
1 | Cinnamon stick |
|
1 teaspoon | Cumin , seeds |
|
1 teaspoon | Black Peppercorn |
|
1 teaspoon | Fennel Seed |
|
1 | Star anise |
|
1 teaspoon | Salt |
|
1 | Green Chili , slit |
|
2 cups | Water |
|
1 tablespoon | Cilantro , fresh, chopped |
|
1 tablespoon | Mint , chopped |
Instructions
- 1 Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes, then drain.
- 2 In a pot, heat ghee and add bay leaf, green cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, fennel seeds, and star anise.
- 3 Once the spices start to crackle, add the sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.
- 4 Add ginger and garlic, sauté for another minute.
- 5 Add mutton pieces and fry until they are browned on all sides.
- 6 Whisk the yogurt and add it to the pot, stirring continuously to avoid curdling.
- 7 Add salt and slit green chili, mix well.
- 8 Pour in 2 cups of water, cover, and let it simmer until the mutton is tender.
- 9 Once the mutton is cooked, add the soaked and drained rice to the pot.
- 10 Gently mix and ensure the rice is evenly distributed.
- 11 Cover the pot and cook on low heat until the rice is fully cooked and all the water is absorbed.
- 12 Garnish with chopped coriander and mint leaves before serving.
Tips
For extra flavour, use whole spices in the oil first.