​Authentic Madrasi Mutton Biryani 

Mutton Biryani is by far the most famous dish in the world. which ever part of the world you live in, I am sure you have tasted or heard of it!
But there are a million different varieties of biryani made throughout the world. but of all the varieties i have eaten/tasted this is by far Me and my family's absolute favorite!
Mutton Biryani is a must dish in all our parties and weddings.
​Especially in our Madrasi weddings people discuss more about how the biryani tasted than what the bride wore! (lol) its like a bad biryani can literally spoil your entire day! So i guess you get an idea how important it is for us to get the perfect biryani recipe!
This delicious biryani recipe is learnt from my lovely Ammi (mom-in-law), and according to me she makes the best (est) mutton biryani in the world! So here goes....
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Authentic Madrasi Mutton Biryani
Serves - 5-6 Duration - 90 mins

Ingredients
  1. Long Basmati Rice - 1 kg
  2. Mutton - 1.25 kg
  3. Onion (Sliced)- 7 medium (650grams)
  4. Oil - 1 and 1/2 cup (300ml)
  5. Tomatoes (Chopped) - 6 medium (550grams)
  6. Yoghurt - 1 Bowl (450 grams)
  7. Ginger paste - 2 tbsp
  8. Garlic paste - 1 1/2 tbsp
  9. Garam masala - ( Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cloves) - 8 no.s each
  10. Green Chilli - 10 nos.
  11. Coraiander leaves - handful
  12. Mint leaves - handful
  13. lime (squeezed) - 2
  14. Salt - 4 tsp (to taste)
  15. Haldi - 1/2 tsp
  16. Red Chilli Powder - 4 tsp (to taste)
  17. Ghee - 2 tbsp
  18. Saffron - A pinch soaked in 1/2 cup warm milk




​Method -

​Mutton Akhni 
  • Wash mutton, strain, keep aside.
  • Heat Oil , add the garam masala, saute for 2 mins, now add the sliced onions, saute till it turns golden brown.
  • Once the onions have turned golden brown, add the ginger and garlic paste, saute for 2 mins.
  • Now add the mutton, salt, haldi, red chilli powder, green chillies and mix well.
  • Next add the tomatoes, mint and coriander leaves, mix well and cook covered for 5 mins till tomatoes soften.
  • Add whipped yogurt, and mix well.
  • Close the lid, and leave it to cook for 40 - 45 mins on low heat. Occasionally mixing well.
  • Once mutton is tender , squeeze the juice of  lime into it.
  • Remove from heat and Keep aside.

Rice
  • Soak rice an hour before you cook it.
  • Heat water in a big pot, once it comes to boil, add salt and 2 tbsp Oil.
  • Now add the rice to the boiling water. let it cook . (Do not cover it with a lid.)
  • Once the rice is 70% cooked. Strain it. And set aside.

Assembling
  • In a big vessel, pour half the mutton akhni, now add half the rice, then again add the mutton akhni , top it with all the leftover rice, pour the ghee and the saffron milk mixture.
  • Cover the vessel well with foil. then put the lid.
  • Now its ready to dum. 
  • There are two ways to dum the biryani, you can follow which ever suits u. 
  1. Take an iron tawa and place the biryani vessel on it , keep this on low flame for 15- 20 mins. Occasionally rotating the vessel.
  2. Or you can keep the biryani vessel inside the cooking range oven for 15 - 20 mins.
Once the biryani is done. Mix it well so that the masala in the rice is evenly spread out.

Mouth-watering Delicious Authentic Madrasi Mutton Biryani is Ready to be Served!
Serve it piping hot with cold Raita and kachumber salad. 
ENJOY!

Cooking tips-
  • Make sure the Onions the onions are golden brown, adding the ginger garlic paste too early to too late might end up altering the color or taste.
  • The tomatoes should be mushy before adding the yogurt. and whip the yogurt well before adding.
  • Always taste the Akhni before keeping it for dum. the salt, chilli and lime should be perfect!
  • Make sure the rice is only 70% done. It will cook well in dum. Dont over cook rice otherwise getting those perfect long grains will not be possible.
  • Before giving dum to the biryani, Make sure u cover the vessel well with the foil.
  • Mix the biryani well at the end after dum. Otherwise it will be partly dry.