Malabar Biryani

Malabar Biryani is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish from the Malabar region of India, featuring marinated meat, aromatic spices, and saffron-infused basmati rice. This dish is a perfect blend of spices and textures, making it a beloved choice for special occasions.

Ingredients

• Basmati rice - 200 grams
• Chicken, cut into pieces - 300 grams
• Onion, thinly sliced - 1 large
• Tomato, chopped - 1 medium
• Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tablespoon
• Yogurt - 100 grams
• Biryani masala - 2 teaspoons
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
• Red chili powder - 1 teaspoon
• Green chilies, slit - 2
• Mint leaves, chopped - 1/4 cup
• Coriander leaves, chopped - 1/4 cup
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Saffron strands - a pinch (soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk)
• Cooking oil - 3 tablespoons
• Salt - to taste
• Water - 400 ml

Steps

1. Wash the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in water for 30 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, marinate the chicken with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, biryani masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, green chilies, lemon juice, and salt. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the cooking oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.
4. Add the marinated chicken to the pot and cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften.
5. Add the chopped mint and coriander leaves, and mix well. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
6. In a separate pot, bring 400 ml of water to a boil. Add the soaked and drained basmati rice to the boiling water along with salt. Cook until the rice is 70% done, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the rice.
7. Layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken mixture in the pot. Drizzle the saffron milk over the rice.
8. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the rice to finish cooking.
9. Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice with a fork. Serve hot with raita or salad.

Nutrition

• Calories: 650
• Protein: 30 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Cholesterol: 80 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.4 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein from chicken, aiding muscle repair and growth.
• Contains spices with anti-inflammatory properties, such as turmeric and ginger.

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