Yakhni biryani / Yakhni pulao

My husband loves biryani. And as i told i was doing my research project on types of biryani's ....Lol ...Kiddin :)
Any biryani is easy once you know the technique. Its easy and a one pot meal. No more sides, curries, etc..etc...
They all just call for the same spices with some additions and some more eliminations. The steps also vary sometimes. Here is one more awesome recipe for biryani. I used shrimp, but you can use any thing you want...may be chicken, lamb or even vegetables. Try it and enjoy it.


Preparation time = 40 mins
Serves = 4
Calories = Approx 250 / Serving

INGREDIENTS-
2 Cups Basmati rice
20 Jumbo Shrimp (Peeled & deveined)
2 Tbsp Unsalted butter
1 Onion (Sliced)
1 Tomato (Chopped)
1 Tbsp Cumin seeds
1/2 Cup Yogurt
1 Tbsp Ginger garlic paste
1 Tbsp Garam masala
Salt to taste (Around 2 tsp)
1/2 Cup Mint leaves (Chopped)
1/2 Cup Cilantro (Chopped)
Fried onion (As needed & optional)

For Yakhni-
10 Shrimp (Jumbo - peeled & deveined)
4 Cups Water
1 Tsp Salt
1 Onion (Cubed into chunks)
2 Bay leaves
10 Black pepper corns
5-6 Cloves
2 Cinnamon sticks
2 Cardamom
2 Star anise
2 Mace
1 Tsp Coriander seeds
1 Tsp Cumin seeds

PREPARATION-

Saok basmati rice in water atleast for 30 mins and set aside.

Yakhni-
1. In a large vessel mix all the ingredients for yakhni except the shrimp and bring to a boil. Once water starts boiling add shrimp and simmer for another few mins. Once the shrimp gets tender strain the water and set aside. Remove the shrimp and set aside.

Biryani-
1. Heat a heavy bottomed vessel. Add butter and allow to melt. Once the butter melts, add sliced onions, cumin, ginger garlic paste and cook till onions are crisp.
2. Now add the shrimp, tomatoes, yogurt, garam masala, salt, half of the mint and cilantro, salt and mix well. Cook for 3-4 mins or until tomatoes and shrimp are tender.
3. Drain the soaked basmati rice and add to the masala mixture. Pour the stock over the rice, cover and bring to a boil. Once the water starts boiling simmer the flame and allow to cook on low heat till rice and shrimp are done.
4. Finally sprinkle the remaining cilantro, mint and fried onions.


Yakhni biryaniServe with boiled egg and raita!!!