Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Fry Onions

   Heat 1 cup of oil in a large pot. Add 4 large thinly sliced onions and fry on low heat until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove a portion of the fried onions for later use.

2. 2.Sear Mutton

   Add 500g of washed mutton to the remaining fried onions and oil. Fry for 1-2 minutes until the mutton changes color.

3. 3.Add Ginger-Garlic-Chili Paste

   Add 2 tablespoons of ginger-garlic-green chili paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.

4. 4.Add Spices

   Add whole spices (1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 small nutmeg, 1 small cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 4-5 cloves, 1 black cardamom), 1 tablespoon red chili flakes, 1 tablespoon red chili powder, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon garam masala, and 0.5 tablespoon black pepper. Mix well and sauté for 1-2 minutes.

5. 5.Incorporate Yogurt

   Reduce the flame to low and add 1 cup of yogurt. Mix thoroughly to combine with the mutton and spices.

6. 6.Add Tomatoes

   Add 4 chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and release their juices. Do not add extra water at this stage.

7. 7.Add Biryani Masala & Pressure Cook

   Add 2 tablespoons of biryani masala and mix well, cooking for 1-2 minutes. Then, add 1 glass (approx. 250ml) of water and pressure cook for approximately 15 minutes until the mutton is tender.

8. 8.Prepare Rice Water

   In a separate large pot, add water for boiling rice. Add whole spices (1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 small cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 4-5 cloves, 1 black cardamom), 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon oil, and a handful of fresh mint leaves. Cover and bring to a rolling boil.

9. 9.Boil Rice

   Once the water boils, add 2 cups of Basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes). Cook until the rice is 90% done. Strain the rice once cooked.

10. 10.First Layering

    In a clean large pot, spread a layer of the prepared mutton gravy at the bottom. Then, add a layer of the 90% cooked rice over the gravy. Sprinkle chopped fresh coriander and mint leaves over the rice.

11. 11.Second Layering

    Add another layer of mutton gravy over the rice. Then, add the remaining 90% cooked rice on top. Spread chopped fresh coriander and mint leaves again.

12. 12.Final Toppings & Dum

    Sprinkle the reserved fried onions over the rice. Drizzle a few drops of yellow/orange food color. Arrange lemon slices and tomato slices on top. Cover the pot tightly and cook on very low flame for 10 minutes for dum (steaming).

13. 13.Serve Biryani

    After 10 minutes, open the lid. Gently mix the biryani from bottom to top to combine the layers without breaking the rice grains. Serve hot and enjoy!