Nishas world and baby Alisha

welcome to what i call a tantalizing dish.. my fav dish which i cannot resist having it with or without a reason to celebrate.i guess India is famous for it spices and maslas and what is more satisfying than mammas home made biryani.some of us dont even know the A's of the recipe so here i am... sharing the recipe with my readers.

this is a delicious Pakistani/Indian rice dish which is often reserved for very special occasions such as weddings, parties or holidays such as Ramadan.it has a lengthy preparation but i guess the work is definitely worth it... for biryani, always use long grain rice.basmati rice with its thin, fine grains is the ideal variety to use.ghee can be used in place of vegetable oil to yield a more authentic taste."

Ingredients

Basmati rice 500 gms.
Chicken pieces 1kg.
Garam masala powder 4 tsp.
Milk ½ cup
Whole garam masala 4 tbsp.
Butter 50 gms.
Sliced onions 1 cup
Golden fried sliced onions ¾ cup
Chopped garlic 4 tbsps.
Rose Water 2 tbsps.
Chopped ginger 4 tbsps.
Oil 5 tbsps
Red chili powder 3 tsps.
Salt To taste
Coriander powder 1 tbsp.
Saffron ½ gm.
Turmeric powder 2 tsps.
Curd (yogurt) 2 cup
Bay leaf 4 nos.
Chopped tomato ¾ cup

Preparation
1. Marinate chicken pieces .Mix salt, ½ of the red chili powder, ½ of the chopped ginger, ½ of the chopped garlic, 1 tsp. Garam Masala Powder, ½ of the turmeric powder and Curd/Yogurt. Mix well and put chicken pieces in this for an hour.

2. Wash and soak rice in water for about 30 minutes.

3. Boil water, add ½ of the Whole Garam Masala , bay leaf and salt and boil rice till ¾th done. Drain rice and keep aside.

4. Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan. Add remaining Whole Garam masala .Let it crackle. Add Sliced onions and sauté’ until light golden brown.

5. Then add remaining chopped ginger, chopped garlic, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, 1 tsp. Garam Masala powder and chopped tomatoes. Cook for about 5 minutes. Add marinated chicken and cook till chicken is tender.

6. Dissolve saffron in warm milk and keep aside.

7. Arrange alternate layers of chicken and rice. Sprinkle saffron dissolved in milk, remaining Garam Masala powder, mint leaves, golden fried sliced onions and butter in between the layers and on top. Make sure that you end with the rice layer topped with saffron , rose water and spices.

8. Cover and seal with aluminum foil . Cook in a preheated oven, for 10-12 minutes. Alternatively cook on an indirect slow flame for 10 to 12 minutes.