My auntie's biryani

Biryani the one universal dish that is a unique combination of succulent marinated meat cooked along with long grain rice, there are tons of different versions of biryani's out there all following the basic guidelines of meat and rice . This dish basically originated in the middle east and now is a staple of Indian cuisines too. Biryani is such a complete meal the only thing needed with s scrumptious biryani is yogurt cucumber raita and some pickle and you are on your way to food heaven !!

This recipe was passed on to me from my dear cousin while  we were chatting one day, she mentioned that her mom was visiting her and they were making Biryani :)  that bought back so may good memories of visiting her family as a a kid and her mom would make this delicious recipe that we always looked forward too and to this date I remember her mom's Biryani was different and so good. So without any more delay took down the recipe and  here is it.

What u need:

Basmati rice - 4 cups

Salt as needed

Black Pepper  - 1 tbsp

Chicken - 2 whole (I used Cornish hen cut up and cleaned)

Ginger garlic paste - 1/4 th cup

Coriander leaves - 1bunch finely chopped 

Mint leaves - 1/3 cup

Onion - 2 big red onion chopped ( half for fried onions & the other half for the mixture)

Bay leaves - 4

Turmeric pwd- 1 tsp

Chilli pwd- 1 tbsp

Cardamom - 5

Clove- 4

Star anise - 2

Cinnamon stick - 2 pieces

Cashew nuts fried & Fried raisins - 5-8 for garnish
Carrots - sliced thin for garnish

Ghee - 1tbsp 

Coriander powder - 1 tsp

Water  - as needed for the stock

Lemon - 1 whole 

Garam masala : powder all these ingredients together

Cardamom - 5

Clove- 5

Star anise - 2

Cinnamon stick - 2 pieces
Black pepper - 1 teaspoon
Mace-  2
Nutmeg- 1/6

• Wash and marinate the chicken for at least an hour with salt, pepper, ginger garlic  paste & a little bit of garam masala . Overnight works too that helps to get a consistent flavor .
• Cook this in a cooker with enough water usually close to double the amount of rice to have a stock that can be used to cook the rice and just one whistle is good . 
• Grind together few pods of garlic, a big piece of ginger, 4 green chilies, mint leaves and  half of the coriander leaves. 
• Chop 2 large onions and  sauté with 1tsp turmeric, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp coriander powder then add a tsp of the ground mixture and fry. Keep the rest of the ground mixture for the rice 
• Add the half cooked chicken into onions  and fry well in an  pan . 
• Then in an other pan add 2 tablespoon of ghee, a few cloves, cinnamon pieces, bay leaves, star anise, add washed, dried rice then fry. 
• Add the remaining ground mixture to the rice and fry some more then add the chicken stock ,  and lemon juice , let this cook till rice is half done . 
• Add the fried chicken then let cook for 5-8 mins more.
• Then sprinkle a lil bit of garam masala to the rice, 
• Garnish with crispy fried onions, cashews and fried raisins , juliene carrots  . 
• Serve with yogurt raita and Njoy !