Mutton Dum Biryani

Mutton Biryani

Biryani is prepared in various ways. This is one of those traditional kind that we make in our family.
Meat is half cooked with spices and then water and rice is added to this. We had a celebration in our house in India therefore had to cook for many and cooking on gas stove top for so many was not possible. Therefore we cooked in a large vessel with wood in our backyard. I was the chef and my mom was helping me with the preparation work. 
Ingredients :

• Mutton : 1 kg
• Basmati Rice : 1 kg (5 cups)
• Onions : 4 Nos.
• Tomato : 6 Nos.
• Coconut Milk : 4 cups
• Curd : 1 cup
• Whole garam masala : 5 Nos. of each of them (Cloves, Cardamom, Bay Leaves, Cinnamon, Anise)
• Fennel Seeds : 1 tbsp
• Turmeric 1 tbsp
• Green Chillies : 5 Nos.
• Mint Leaves : 1 bunches
• Coriander Leaves : 1 bunch
• Oil : 1 cup
• Salt to taste 
• Chillipowder : 1 tbsp (if required)

To Grind for making paste : 

• Green Chillies : 5 Nos. 
• Ginger : 2 inches
• Garlic : 20 pods
• Mint leaves : 1 bunch
• Cloves and Cinnamon : 3 to 4 Nos.

Method of Preparation : 

• Grind all the ingredients for paste and add it to mutton along with salt and curd rest it for some time. 
• Soak Rice for atleast 30 min. Chop Onions length wise.Cut rest of the vegetables.
• Heat oil in a big vessel and add whole
•  In a big vessel add Whole Garam Masala and  Fennel Seeds
• After a few seconds add chopped Green Chillies, Onions, Turmeric along with a little salt and fry well.
• Now add marinated mutton and let it fry for a while. Keep stirring
• After 5 min add tomatoes and fry till they are soft. 
• Now add 2 to 3 cups of water and close the lid till the Mutton is almost cooked.
• Now add coconut milk and water and check taste. 
• Add Mint leaves and salt if required and if you need spiciness add chillipowder.
• Once this liquid starts boiling add Rice and close the lid. 
• Seal edges with wheat flour dough to hold the pressure inside.
• After 10 to 15 min reduce heat and let it for 5 more min. 
• Remove the seal, garnish with coriander leaves and serve with Raitha.

• Water Measurement 1 Cup Basmati Rice : 2 Cups Water 
• When you are adding Coconut Milk even that has to be taken into count as water.

Cooking with wood | Prepared Biryani

Note : Basmati Rice needs just 1 : 1 water to cook however when its made in large quantity more water would be required.
Known as : Dhum Biryani, Desi Mutton Biryani, Biriyani, Biryani made for function, Biryani cooking on wood
Variations : Same recipe can be used for Chicken Biryani also