Chicken Dum Biryani (Calicut Style)

Even though my biryani didn't turned out to be as tasty as that of my grandmother's, mother-in-laws, or mother's, Finally I got it close to theirs after so many attempts.  

 Recipe:

Chicken (700-800g)(cut into small pieces)

For Marination

Ginger

garlic

green chilly

leaves

yoghurt 

Lime juice

salt 

pepper

Turmeric

Garam masala

Cumin

Fennel

Coriander powder

Add the above ingredients in a grinder and blend.

Marinate the chicken and keep refrigerated.

(Tastes better if marinated overnight)

To cook Rice

Rice 2 cups( I used Basmati)

Whole spices

-Bay leaf

-Cinnamon

-Cloves

-Green Cardamom 

-Black Cardamom 

-Star Anise

Garam Masala

Ghee

oil

Salt

Boiling water.

Wash the rice and soak for few min.

In a pan add ghee and oil.

Add whole spices.

Add the rice and sauté for few min. 

Add salt and Garam Masala.

Add boiling water and cook till 80-90% done.

It takes 10 minutes for me.

Drain and keep aside.

For Masala

Onions

Ginger garlic paste

Tomatoes

Green Chilli

Leaves(Mint,Coriander)

For Garnish

Fried onions, nuts and raisins

Saffron soaked in rosewater & orange blossom water

Leaves

Ghee 

Garam Masala

In the pan add ghee+ oil fry some raisins and nuts and keep aside.

Add onions and fry till caramelized.(keep aside some fried onions for garnish

Add in ginger garlic paste, green chilly, tomatoes.

Cook for few min.

Add the marinated chicken and it's marinade, some leaves and mix well.

Add half of the rice. 

Add some garnish.

Add other half of the rice and garnish. 

Cover with aluminum foil and then the lid to make a dum. 

Lower the flame after 10 min. 

 Cook on low flame for 30-45 min.

(Use a flame spreader for even heating and to prevent burning)

Rice and Chicken Masala is served separately.

Mix the rice well as the rice below will have more flavor as it is near to masala.

Usually people prefer more masala, add more onions and tomatoes for more masala. 

My family doesn't like much masala and prefers less spicy food. So I add only 1-2 chilly, 2-3 onions and 1-2 tomatoes only. 

Green Chutney

Leaves, ginger, green chilly, yoghurt, lime juice, grated coconut. Blend in a chutney grinder.

Cucumber Raita

Crushed garlic, lime juice, salt & pepper, grated cucumber, dill leaves and yoghurt.

Mix well.

Onion Pickle

Sliced onion, green chilly or black pepper, salt, vinegar.

Datespickle