AUTHENTIC SOUTH INDIAN BIRYANI

AUTHENTIC SOUTH INDIAN BIRYANI image

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 recipe - 1 pod cardamom
1 recipe - 1 clove
1 stick cinnamon
1 recipe - 4 medium onions, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh garlic, chopped
1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, chopped
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 recipe (to taste) chili powder
1 recipe - 1 1/2 medium tomatoes, chopped
16 ounces plain yogurt
3 tablespoons water
1 recipe (to taste) lemon juice
3 cups white rice
1 teaspoon butter
1 recipe (to taste) salt
1 bunch fresh mint, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Heat oil in a large oven-proof pot over medium heat. Add cardamom, clove, and cinnamon stick. Stir in chopped onions, and fry until golden brown. Stir in garlic and ginger. Stir in chicken pieces, and fry about 3 minutes. Stir in chili powder, and cook several minutes. Stir in tomatoes, and cook about 5 minutes. Mix yogurt with 3 tablespoons water and lemon juice; stir into sauce.
Cover pot, and bake in a preheated oven until the sauce is somewhat thickened and concentrated, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook rice in enough salted water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until it is half cooked, about 7 minutes. Drain rice, and stir into chicken and sauce. Stir in butter, season to taste with salt, cover pot, and bake 1 hour.
Stir in mint and cilantro immediately before serving.