Lamb Biryani

By oggi

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless lamb leg or shoulder, cut into 11/2 inch cubes
• 3 -inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tablespoons garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 4 green chillis, finely chopped
• 2/3 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 21/2 cups basmati rice
• 4 onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup light olive oil
• 2 ounces melted butter or ghee
• 1 cup plain thick yogurt
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron strands, soaked in 1/2 cup hot milk
• steamed vegetables for topping: sliced carrots, green beans cut into half inch pieces, green peas, cauliflower

Details

Servings 5
Adapted from oggi-icandothat.blogspot.com

Preparation

Step 1

* Mix the lamb cubes in a bowl with the ginger, garlic, garam masala, chilli powder, turmeric, green chilli, coriander, mint, and salt. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
* Wash the rice in a sieve under cold, running water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
* Put the sliced onion in a sieve, sprinkle with the salt and leave for 10 minutes to drain of any liquid that oozes out. Rinse and pat dry.
* Heat oil and butter in a large saucepan, add the onion and fry for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Drain onions, reserve the oil and butter.
* Transfer the lamb and marinade into a casserole and add the browned onion, 2 tablespoons of the reserved oil and butter, and the yogurt, and cook on low heat, covered, for 40 minutes, or until lamb is tender.
* Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
* In a separate saucepan, boil enough water to cover rice. Add the rice to the pan. Return the water to the boil, cook the rice for 5 minutes, then drain well and transfer into a bowl. Mix in 2 tablespoons of the oil and butter, the lemon juice, and a little salt and gently mix. Spread the rice evenly over the meat. Spoon the saffron milk all over the rice.
* Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Serve topped with salted steamed vegetables.