Lighter Lamb Biryani Recipes

LAMB BIRYANI RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Soak the rice in 2 cups (480 ml) of water for about 2 hours.
• Add the chopped onion, 2 tablespoons slivered almonds, garlic, ginger, and 3 tablespoons of water to a food processor. Blend into a paste.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and fry until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
• Add the raisins to the pan. Stir until they become plump, about 2 minutes, then remove and drain on paper towels.
• Add the lamb to the pan, in batches if necessary, and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a bowl and set aside.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion paste to the pan. Cook, stirring constantly, until the paste turns light brown. If it sticks to the bottom of the pan, add a bit of water and keep stirring.
• Return the meat and any accumulated juices to the pan. Add 1¼ teaspoons of salt, the yogurt, and 1 cup (240 ml) of water. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Add the saffron threads to a small bowl with the milk and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil and add 1½ tablespoons of salt. Drain the rice and add to pot. Boil for 5 minutes, then immediately drain and rinse.
• In a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, finely grind the cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns, cardamon, coriander, and cumin.
• Add the spices to the meat, along with the nutmeg and cayenne. Cover and continue cooking until the meat is tender, about 10 minutes. If there is too much sauce, increase the heat to high, uncover, and stir to evaporate some of the liquid (there should about 1 cup (240 g) of sauce left in the meat).
• Preheat the oven to 300˚F (150˚C).
• In a large Dutch oven or deep casserole dish, layer half of the rice, the meat with its sauce, and the rest of the rice. Squeeze the lemon juice over rice.
• Using the end of a wooden spoon, poke holes all the way through the layers. Spoon a bit of the saffron and milk into each hole.
• Distribute the butter over the rice and sprinkle over most of the fried onions, reserving some for garnish. Cover the dish with foil, then top with a lid.
• Bake for 1 hour.
• Remove the biriyani from the oven and set aside for at least 15 minutes.
• Garnish with the eggs, raisins, remaining 3 tablespoons of slivered almonds, reserved fried onions, and cilantro.
• Enjoy!

LIGHTER LAMB BIRYANI

Steps:

• Put the cauliflower in a food processor and pulse until it is reduced to rice-sized pieces. Tip into a large bowl and stir in the turmeric, cardamom, fennel seeds, black onion seeds and some seasoning. Cover with cling film, pierce and set aside.
• For the spicy lamb, heat the oil in a non-stick wok and fry the onion and ginger for 10 mins until soft and golden. Add the chilli and garlic, and cook for 1 min more.
• Stir in the cumin and coriander, cook briefly, then toss in the lamb and stir-fry for 1-2 mins until pale brown. Add the tomatoes and the bouillon, and cook for 2 mins - you are aiming for a thick sauce and really tender lamb that is still a little pink and juicy.
• Meanwhile, put the cauliflower in the microwave and cook on high for 3 mins. Tip out onto serving plates, dot the lamb and sauce in patches over the rice, then scatter with the almonds, pomegranate seeds and mint leaves to serve.

LAMB BIRIYANI

Steps:

• In a blender or mini food processor combine the coconut, poppy seeds, curry leaves, green chili, and 1/2 cup water (or more) to make a paste like thick pesto. Set aside.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil and 3 tablespoons ghee in a wide frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups onions and saute until the edges are lightly browned. Put in the garlic and ginger and continue frying about 3 minutes, until you smell the aroma and the onions are brown. Stir in the ground masala, garam masala, salt, and coconut paste and fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, and mint. Stir over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Now put in the lamb pieces and stir. When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, until the meat is tender. Stir occasionally.
• In a large bowl, wash the rice in many changes of water until the water no longer appears cloudy. Drain thoroughly.
• Prepare the garnish by heating 2 tablespoons oil and 2 tablespoons ghee in a frying pan. Add the 2 cups onions and fry over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until they turn deep reddish brown and crisp (10 to 15 minutes). Remove the onions to a plate with a slotted spoon. Fry the cashews in the reamining oil until brown. Remove the nuts with a slotted spoon and repeat with the raisins. Set aside.
• Prepare the rice by combining the 2 teaspoons salt, the drained rice, and 5 cups water in a large heavy pan with a tight-fitting lid. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 20 minutes on low heat. Remove from the heat.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Fluff the rice and spread one third of it in the bottom of a casserole or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. Sprinkle one third of the fried onions, cashews, and raisins on top of rice, then add half the lamb mixture. Continue to layer with one third of the rice, one third of the garnish, all the remaining lamb, and finally the last third of rice. Reserve the last third of the garnish for later. Seal the top with foil, then place the lid over the foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
• Spoon onto a large platter and garnish with the remaining fried onions, cashews, and raisins. Place the halved boiled eggs, yolk up, around the edges of the platter. Serve immediately.
• In a heavy, preferably light-colored skillet melt the butter over medium-low heat. The melted butter will sputter gently as the moisture boils out of it, and the bubbles will change from large to fine and foamy.
• Once the foam appears, push it aside every few seconds to see if the milk solids have settled to the bottom of the pan. When this sediment appears golden brown, remove it from the heat. Do not let it turn dark brown.
• Cool the ghee for a minute or two, then pour the liquid into a container with a tight-fitting lid, leaving most of the solids behind. Cool it completely, cover, and store at room temperature for 1 month or in the refrigerator for 3 months.
• Ghee turns to a solid as it cools, so bring it to room temperature before using, or melt it by placing the jar in which it is stored in hot water.
• Place the star anise in a coffee grinder and grind to a fine powder. Measure out 2 teaspoonfuls, reserving the rest for another use.
• Grind the fennel seeds in the coffee grinder to form a fine powder.
• Combine all the ingredients and store in an airtight jar away from the light. It will keep for 6 months.

LAMB BIRYANI

Steps:

• Toss the lamb in a bowl with the garlic, ginger and a large pinch of salt. Marinate in the fridge overnight or for at least a couple of hours.
• Heat the oil in a casserole. Fry the lamb for 5-10 mins until starting to brown. Add the onion, cumin seeds and nigella seeds, and cook for 5 mins until starting to soften. Stir in the curry paste, then cook for 1 min more. Scatter in the rice and curry leaves, then pour over the stock and bring to the boil. Meanwhile, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Stir in the paneer, spinach and some seasoning. Cover the dish with a tight lid of foil, then put the lid on to ensure it's well sealed. Cook in the oven for 20 mins, then leave to stand, covered, for 10 mins. Bring the dish to the table, remove the lid and foil, scatter with the coriander and chillies and serve with yogurt on the side.