Mutton Biryani Recipe

Ingredients:

- 500 grams mutton, cut into pieces

- 2 cups basmati rice

- 2 onions, thinly sliced

- 4 tomatoes, finely chopped

- 4 green chilies, slit

- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

- 1/2 cup plain yogurt

- 1 teaspoon red chili powder

- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder

- 1/2 teaspoon biryani masala powder

- A handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped

- A handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped

- 4 cups water

- 4 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil

- Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Start by washing the basmati rice thoroughly and soaking it in water for around 30 minutes. Once soaked, drain the water and set the rice aside.

2. Take a large pot and heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté them until they turn golden brown and caramelized. Once done, remove half of the fried onions and keep them aside for later garnishing.

3. In the same pot, add the ginger-garlic paste and slit green chilies. Sauté them for about a minute until the raw smell disappears.

4. Now, add the mutton pieces to the pot and cook them until they are nicely browned on all sides. This usually takes around 5-7 minutes.

5. Once the mutton is browned, add the finely chopped tomatoes, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt to the pot. Mix everything well and let it cook until the tomatoes become soft and pulpy.

6. After the tomatoes are cooked, add the plain yogurt to the pot and mix it with the mutton and spices. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the yogurt is well incorporated.

7. Next, add the garam masala powder and biryani masala powder to the pot. Mix everything thoroughly to coat the mutton evenly with the spices.

8. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pot with the mutton and spices. Gently stir to combine the rice with the mutton mixture.

9. Pour 4 cups of water into the pot and increase the heat to high. Bring the mixture to a boil.

10. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes. This will ensure that the rice is fully cooked and the mutton becomes tender.

11. After the biryani is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for another 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to blend together.

12. Finally, uncover the pot and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish the biryani with the reserved fried onions, chopped mint leaves, and coriander leaves.

Your homemade mutton biryani is now ready to be served piping hot. You can enjoy it with a side of raita or salad. Bon appétit!