Chicken Biryani: Inviting and nourishing

 

TOLUWANI OLAMITOKE  looks at how a delicious Pakistani/Indian dish made of chicken  and basmati rice, which is reserved for  special  family occasions  like weddings, anniversaries and festivals, is being prepared. The balanced diet dish, which is  also  served when hosting special  guests, is now becoming a delight of many Nigerians and makes the list of  menu served  in five-star hotels.

You will need:
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 4 small potatoes, peeled and  halved

• 2 large onions, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

•1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 medium tomatoes, peeled and  chopped

• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt

•2 tablespoons chopped fresh   mint leaves

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

• 1 (2 inch) piece cinnamon stick

• 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken pieces cut into chunks     

• 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 large onion, diced

• 1 pinch powdered saffron

• 5 pods cardamom

• 3 whole cloves

• 1 (1 inch) piece cinnamon stick

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1 pound basmati rice

• 4 cups chicken stock

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Method • In a large skillet, fry potatoes in vegetable oil until brown, drain and reserve.

• Fry onion, garlic and ginger until onion is soft and golden

• Add chili, pepper, turmeric, cumin, salt, tomatoes and fry

• Add yogurt, mint, cardamom and cinnamon stick and cook over low heat

• When mixture is thick and smooth, add chicken pieces

• Cover and cook over very low heat until chicken is tender

•  Wash rice and drain

• Heat vegetable oil  and fry onions until they are golden.

•  Add saffron, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger and rice.

•  Heat chicken stock and salt.

•  When mixture is hot, pour over rice and stir well.

•  Add chicken mixture and potatoes; gently mix both into rice.

•   Bring to boil.

• Cover saucepan tightly, turn heat to very low and steam for 20 minutes.