Indian · serves 2

Mutton Biryani

The long one. Clear an afternoon, and expect people to talk about it.

110 min A proper cook Non-vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1kg mutton on the bone
  • 3 cups basmati, soaked
  • 2 cups curd
  • 5 onions, fried golden
  • 3 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 2 tbsp biryani masala
  • 2 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1 cup mint + coriander
  • Saffron in warm milk
  • 6 tbsp ghee
  • Whole spices

Method

  1. Marinate the mutton in curd, ginger-garlic, powders, half the fried onions, herbs and salt. 4 hours minimum, overnight ideally.
  2. Cook the marinated mutton in a heavy pot on low for 45 minutes until tender, or pressure cook 5 whistles. Mutton will not cook through on dum alone — this is the step people skip and regret.
  3. Boil the rice in heavily salted water with whole spices to 70% done. Drain.
  4. Layer rice over the mutton, then fried onions, herbs, saffron milk and ghee.
  5. Seal, high 5 minutes, then lowest flame 30 minutes.
  6. Rest 15 minutes. Mirchi ka salan and raita.

Questions people ask about Mutton Biryani

How long does Mutton Biryani take?

About 110 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of mutton in Mutton Biryani?

Use chicken thighs, but halve the cooking time. Jackfruit works for a vegetarian version and holds up to long cooking.

Can I make Mutton Biryani ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Can I make Mutton Biryani vegetarian?

Yes. Replace the mutton with paneer, firm tofu, mushrooms or soya chunks. All of them cook far faster than meat, so add them in the last five minutes rather than at the start, and keep the masala exactly as written.

Do I need a pressure cooker for Mutton Biryani?

A cooker is faster but not essential. In an open pot, expect roughly three times the cooking time and keep an eye on the water level, topping up with hot water rather than cold.

What do you serve with Mutton Biryani?

Mirchi ka salan and raita. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

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