Lucknowi Mutton Biryani

Ingredients:-

1/2 kg - mutton with bone
3 cups - basmati rice
3 tbsp - oil
1 medium - onion ground to a paste

Marinade:-

1 cup - whisked curd
2 tsp - garlic paste
2 tsp - ginger paste
1 1/2 tbsp - almonds powdered or almond paste
1/2 tsp - red chilli powder

Grind together and add to marinade

6 - green cardamoms
6 - cloves
2 blades - mace (javitri)
1/2 tsp - nutmeg
1/4 tsp - saffron soaked in kewra water
1 cup - chopped coriander and mint leaves
salt - to taste

Method:-

1. Wash meat, drain and dry
2. Combine ingredients for marinade and marinate meat for 30 minutes
3. Wash rice and soak for an hour
4. Soak the saffron in kewra water
5. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pressure cooker, add onion and fry till golden
6. Stir in marinated meat and stir. Add 3 cups warm water. Add salt. Pressure for 15 minutes.
7. Allow pressure to cool before opening.
8. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a deep pan. Drain rice, add to pan and stir for 8-10 minutes.
9. Remove half the rice and place all the meat pieces and a little gravy over the remaining rice.
10. Cover meat with the removed rice and pour the rest of the gravy/stock over the top
11. Sprinkle with the saffron and kewra water
12. Add the chopped coriander and mint leaves
13. Cover the dish and bake in a oven pre-heated to 150 degree C (300 F) for 30 minutes.