Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Heat Ghee for Mutton Gravy

   Heat 4 tablespoons of ghee in a pan.

2. 2.Add Whole Spices

   Add 2 bay leaves, a 1-inch cinnamon stick, and 2 black cardamoms to the hot ghee. Allow them to release their aroma.

3. 3.Fry Onions

   Add 3 medium-sized sliced onions and fry them until they are nice and golden in color.

4. 4.Add Ginger-Garlic Paste

   Add 2 tablespoons of ginger paste and 2 tablespoons of garlic paste. Fry this until the raw smell of the ginger-garlic is gone.

5. 5.Add Yogurt

   Immediately reduce the flame and add 1 cup of yogurt. Stir this continuously so that the yogurt does not split. Cook this on a medium to low flame for about 2-3 minutes until the oil has separated.

6. 6.Add Red Chilli Powder

   Quickly add 2 tablespoons of red chilli powder to the mixture.

7. 7.Add Mutton

   Immediately add 1 kilogram of mutton pieces. Sear the mutton for a good 5-6 minutes on a high flame until it is well coated with the spices and changes color.

8. 8.Add Water and Salt

   Add 250 ml of water and salt to taste. Give it a good stir.

9. 9.Cook Mutton

   Cover the pan and cook the mutton on a medium to low flame until it is done.

10. 10.Heat Ghee for Rice

    For the rice, heat 2-3 tablespoons of ghee in a separate pot.

11. 11.Add Whole Spices for Rice

    Once the ghee melts, add 1 bay leaf, a 1-inch cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 2 black cardamoms, and 8-10 black peppercorns. Sauté these for a few seconds.

12. 12.Fry Onions for Rice

    Add 3 medium-sized sliced onions and fry them until they are golden brown in color.

13. 13.Add Water for Rice

    Add 6 cups of water to the caramelized onions and spices.

14. 14.Add Soaked Rice

    Add 3 cups of basmati rice, which has been soaked for approximately 45 minutes, to the water.

15. 15.Add Salt and Lemon Juice

    Add salt as required and squeeze in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (from half a lemon). Gently stir the rice.

16. 16.Cook Rice

    Cover the pot and cook the rice on a medium to low flame until it is done, which will take about 15 minutes.

17. 17.Check Mutton

    Check the mutton; it should be cooked well and tender.

18. 18.Add Garam Masala and Green Chillies to Mutton

    Add 1 teaspoon of garam masala powder and 5 slit green chillies to the cooked mutton.

19. 19.Add Mint Leaves to Mutton

    Add a few fresh mint leaves to the mutton. Give it a good stir.

20. 20.Layer Rice over Mutton

    Top the mutton curry with the cooked rice.

21. 21.Drizzle Ghee and Cream

    Drizzle 1 tablespoon of ghee and some fresh cream over the rice.

22. 22.Garnish and Steam

    Garnish with fried onions and mint leaves. Cover the biryani and cook for another 15-20 minutes before serving.

23. 23.Serve Shamsi Biryani

    Serve the moist, simple, and delicious Shamsi Biryani hot, garnished with coriander leaves.