175 Min
GF
Sindhi Lamb Biryani
Just like most foods in India, every community, region and family have their own interpretation for it. This is a style of biryani my mother preferred but since goat was the go-to red meat, we had goat biryani. There were always potatoes in the biryani, which are particularly delicious as they absorb the meat flavors. Biryani is best after it has rested for at least an hour and is even better the next day.
Just like most foods in India, every community, region and family have their own interpretation for it. This is a style of biryani my mother preferred but since goat was the go-to red meat, we had goat biryani. There were always potatoes in the biryani, which are particularly delicious as they absorb the meat flavors. Biryani is best after it has rested for at least an hour and is even better the next day.
Cook Time
180 Minutes + soak & marination time
Serves
6
Directions
Biryani Masala
Step 1
To make the biryani masala, in a small frying pan, combine the black cardamom, star anise, mace, green cardamom, cloves, coriander and whole peppercorns.
Step 2
On high heat, fry the spices just until fragrant – about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 3
Cool the spices then grind with a spice grinder.
Lamb Masala
Step 1
Marinate the lamb with garlic, yogurt and salt and set aside for 5 to 6 hours, overnight or up to 2 to 3 days.
Step 2
To cook the lamb, heat a large saucepan or Dutch oven over high heat and add ghee. Then add the marinated lamb pieces and fry over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes then add the onions and potatoes. Cook on high heat for 4 to 5 minutes then lower the heat and cover the saucepan. Cook for an hour or longer, check it every 8 to 10 minutes making sure the onions are not sticking to the bottom nor burning. If they are, add a few tablespoons of water to deglaze the bottom of the pan.
Step 3
When the onions have reduced and caramelized, add the biryani masala, ginger puree, and chile powder.
Step 4
Add the yogurt and continue cooking until the mixture is semi-dry and the fat has risen to the top. Set the lamb aside until the rice is ready.
Cumin Pilaf
Step 1
Rinse the basmati rice 2 to 3 times then soak in water for about 1 to 2 hours. Drain.
Step 2
To make the rice, heat a medium stockpot and warm up the olive oil. Pop the black cumin seeds and immediately add the drained rice, salt and 3 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover the stockpot, lower the heat and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the rice rest for about 10 minutes or more. Note that the rice is not fully cooked – it will finish cooking with the lamb.
Assembling the Biryani
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a shallow large Dutch oven or a casserole dish, spread the lamb mixture on the bottom.
Step 2
Place the apricot halves over it and gently spread the cooked rice over the lamb.
Step 3
Drizzle half a cup of water mixed with 1 teaspoon turmeric evenly over the mixture.
Step 4
Place the tomato chunks on top. Scatter the sliced almond and pistachios on top and place a lid on the Dutch oven. If using a casserole dish, cover tightly with foil.
Step 5
Place in the oven for 5 minutes. Serve with raita or a yogurt salad.
Notes & Variations
- The biryani can be made and assembled a day or two before – bake it the day you are serving it.
- Instead of lamb, substitute with chicken but do use meat with bones as well for maximum flavor. Reduce the cooking time as chicken does cook faster than lamb.
- To make it over a stove top, make it entirely in one pot and do not put in the oven. However, do let the biryani rest for 15 to 20 minutes before eating it.
- Add 3 tablespoons of grated peeled papaya to the initial lamb marinade if you want it to cook faster. Green or ripe papaya will do and it will work as a tenderizer to break down the meat fibers. The papaya needs to stay on the lamb for at least 4 to 6 hours to take effect.
Ingredients
Biryani Masala
Step 1
To make the biryani masala, in a small frying pan, combine the black cardamom, star anise, mace, green cardamom, cloves, coriander and whole peppercorns.
Step 2
On high heat, fry the spices just until fragrant – about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 3
Cool the spices then grind with a spice grinder.
Lamb Masala
Step 1
Marinate the lamb with garlic, yogurt and salt and set aside for 5 to 6 hours, overnight or up to 2 to 3 days.
Step 2
To cook the lamb, heat a large saucepan or Dutch oven over high heat and add ghee. Then add the marinated lamb pieces and fry over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes then add the onions and potatoes. Cook on high heat for 4 to 5 minutes then lower the heat and cover the saucepan. Cook for an hour or longer, check it every 8 to 10 minutes making sure the onions are not sticking to the bottom nor burning. If they are, add a few tablespoons of water to deglaze the bottom of the pan.
Step 3
When the onions have reduced and caramelized, add the biryani masala, ginger puree, and chile powder.
Step 4
Add the yogurt and continue cooking until the mixture is semi-dry and the fat has risen to the top. Set the lamb aside until the rice is ready.
Cumin Pilaf
Step 1
Rinse the basmati rice 2 to 3 times then soak in water for about 1 to 2 hours. Drain.
Step 2
To make the rice, heat a medium stockpot and warm up the olive oil. Pop the black cumin seeds and immediately add the drained rice, salt and 3 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover the stockpot, lower the heat and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the rice rest for about 10 minutes or more. Note that the rice is not fully cooked – it will finish cooking with the lamb.
Assembling the Biryani
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a shallow large Dutch oven or a casserole dish, spread the lamb mixture on the bottom.
Step 2
Place the apricot halves over it and gently spread the cooked rice over the lamb.
Step 3
Drizzle half a cup of water mixed with 1 teaspoon turmeric evenly over the mixture.
Step 4
Place the tomato chunks on top. Scatter the sliced almond and pistachios on top and place a lid on the Dutch oven. If using a casserole dish, cover tightly with foil.
Step 5
Place in the oven for 5 minutes. Serve with raita or a yogurt salad.
Notes & Variations
- The biryani can be made and assembled a day or two before – bake it the day you are serving it.
- Instead of lamb, substitute with chicken but do use meat with bones as well for maximum flavor. Reduce the cooking time as chicken does cook faster than lamb.
- To make it over a stove top, make it entirely in one pot and do not put in the oven. However, do let the biryani rest for 15 to 20 minutes before eating it.
- Add 3 tablespoons of grated peeled papaya to the initial lamb marinade if you want it to cook faster. Green or ripe papaya will do and it will work as a tenderizer to break down the meat fibers. The papaya needs to stay on the lamb for at least 4 to 6 hours to take effect.
Tags:
175 Min
GF
Stock Your Pantry
Essential Masala Dabba
$235
A handmade spice box containing red chile, turmeric, black pepper, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, amchur and garam masala.
Aromatic Masala Dabba
$250
A handmade spice box containing chai masala, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, whole black peppercorns, whole green cardamom pods with a few black cardamom pods, garam masala, mace pods and nutmeg.
Ghee
$10
Ghee is a class of clarified butter that originated in ancient India.
Tags:
175 Min
GF
Stock Your Pantry
Essential Masala Dabba
$235
Aromatic Masala Dabba
$250
Ghee
$10
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RICE & MEAT. What's not to love?
