Achari Mutton Biryani

 

           Check out my version of a yummy Mutton Biryani where I gave a twist by adding some homemade mango pickle. This gave the Biryani a slightly different flavour. I also added some dry roasted and ground achari powder and this gave a slight hint of achari taste to the dish. It turned out simply awesome. Serve this yummy one-pot delicacy with some raita, onion rings and lime wedges. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this universally popular delicacy.

          In this recipe, I cooked the mutton and the rice separately. Then layered it and cooked on a dum style. This is a perfect one-pot meal and a nice option for a weekend lunch with your loved ones. This is also a great party recipe or any special occasions. 

Marination - 

• 500 gms. mutton with bones, curry cut
• 1 tbsp. ginger-garlic paste 
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp. red chili powder
• 2 tsp. achari powder
• 1 tsp. mustard oil
• 2 tbsp. yoghurt

To dry roast & grind Achari Masala -  

• 1 tsp. nigella seeds 
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds 
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp. fenugreek seeds 

Rice - 

• 1 cup Basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes
• 1" cinnamon
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 5-6 cloves
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. salt 
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1/2 mace

Mutton curry - 

• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• 2 small potatoes
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1-2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tbsp. bottled pickle masala

Garnishing - 

• handful of coriander leaves, chopped
• 2-3 tbsp. fried onions
• 1 tbsp. ghee 
• few strands of saffron mixed in 1/4 cup milk
• 1-2 boiled eggs, 

            Dry roast the ingredients under Achari Masala and keep aside to cool. Then grind into a fine powder. 

          Marination - Marinate the mutton along with all the ingredients mentioned under MARINATION and 2 tsp. of the achari masala for 4-5 hours, preferably overnight.

          Rice - Bring sufficient quantity of water to a boil along with all the ingredients mentioned under RICE. Add the rice and simmer till it is almost done (al dente). Drain and keep aside. 

          Mutton Curry - Heat oil and fry the potatoes till light brown in colour. Drain and keep aside. In the same oil, sauté the sliced onion till light brown. Add the tomato and cook till it is well mashed. 

         Now add the marinated mutton and cook, covered on a low flame till almost dry. Add 1 cup water and the fried potatoes. 

         Pressure cook for 20 minutes on a low flame after the first whistle. Transfer the contents back to the pan and add the bottled pickle masala and simmer till the gravy thickens.

          To Assemble - Grease a thick bottomed pan and layer with half of the cooked rice. Sprinkle some fried onion and coriander leaves.

          Spread the cooked mutton (keep aside the potatoes) evenly over the rice and again sprinkle coriander leaves + fried onion.

          Top it up with the remaining rice, coriander leaves, fried onion, cooked potatoes, boiled egg, saffron milk and ghee. 

          Cover and cook on dum on a low flame for 8-10 minutes. Serve with raita, onion rings and lime wedges for a weekend comfort lunch. 

                    Dry roast the ingredients under Achari Masala & keep aside to cool. Then 

                    grind into a fine powder. 

                              Marinate mutton along with all the ingredients mentioned under 

                  MARINATION & 2 tsp. of achari masala for 4-5 hours, preferably overnight.

                     Bring sufficient quantity of water to a boil along with all the ingredients 

                     mentioned under RICE. 

                                  Add the rice.

                                  Simmer till it is almost done. 

                                  (al dente)

                                  Drain and keep aside. 

 Heat oil & fry the potatoes till light brown in colour. Drain & keep aside.

 In the same oil, sauté the sliced onion till light brown. 

                                  Add the tomato and cook till it is well mashed. 

                                  Now add the marinated mutton.

                                  Cook, covered on a low flame till almost dry. 

                                   Add 1 cup water and the fried potatoes. 

                         Pressure cook for 20-25 minutes on a low flame after the first whistle. 

                                  Transfer the contents back to the pan. 

                              Add the bottled pickle masala & simmer till the gravy thickens.

                      Grease a thick bottomed pan & layer with half of the cooked rice. Sprinkle

                      some fried onion & coriander leaves.

                      Spread the cooked mutton (keep aside the potatoes) evenly over the rice &

                      again sprinkle coriander leaves + fried onion.

Top it up with the remaining rice, coriander leaves, fried onion, cooked 

 potatoes, boiled egg, saffron milk & ghee. Cover & cook on dum on a 

                  low flame for 8-10 minutes.

 Serve with raita, onion rings and lime wedges for a weekend comfort lunch.