Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Shari's Biryani Du Jour


Okay, so what did I put in my biryani today? Spices, brown rice, chicken, and vegetables to name some of the ingredients. I know brown rice isn't traditionally used in biryani, but hey, it's healthier, and it's the only kind I have in my kitchen right now. 

The first time I made biryani was over ten years ago when I was living in Pennsylvania. I had a Pakistani driving instructor. I told him I liked international cooking. He brought me a biryani seasoning packet with a recipe for biryani. I made the dish for my family. I think they liked it, but it was very spicy. I loved it! I froze some bags of it. I would thaw a bag randomly, and have lunches for a few days.

Back to the present, this evening was my first time putting together "the spice packet" for biryani. I had fun. But would you believe it, not wanting to make the dish too spicy, I failed to put enough spicy in it! Dinner was still amazing.

Oh, and another cool thing, a few summers ago when Anthony and I were starting to date, I had some leftover biryani in my fridge. I heated it up for Anthony. He loved it. 

Shari's Biryani Du Jour:

1 TB Oil
1 Tsp. Salt
1 1/2 Cups Brown Rice
3 Cups Water

1 TB Ghee (Clarified Butter)
1 Cinnamon Stick
1 Bay Leaf
1 Star Anise
1 Mace
Whole Cloves
Black Peppercorns
Cardamom Pods
1 Tsp. Coriander Seeds
1 Tsp Garam Masala
1/2 Tsp. Tumeric
1/2 Tsp. Red Chili Powder
2 Tsp. Ginger Paste
1 Tsp. Salt

Garlic Cloves
1 Onion
Handful of Tiny Tomatoes
2 Carrots
1 Potato

3 TB Chobani Yogurt
1 Cup Water

2 Chicken Drumsticks
1 Cup Water

1. Start cooking rice.
2. While rice is cooking, heat spices. 
3. While rice and spices are cooking, chop veggies in a mini food processor after cutting them into wedges. Add veggies to spice mix on stove, and stir. Add yogurt to spices and veggies. Stir. Add water. Stir.
4. Cut chicken and add to spices and veggies. Add a cup of water. Stir. Cook until chicken and veggies are done.
5. Drain rice. Add rice to spices, veggies, and chicken. Stir. Cover and cook ten minutes on low.











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