Kolkata/Bengali Style Mutton Biryani.....:)

Most Bengalis are foodies and that reflects clearly in this Bengali recipe. That is why the Kolkata version of biryani is such a delicious innovation. The special features of the Kolkata biryani is that spices are much milder than other biryani recipes. Also, potato &  Egg is an important ingredients of this Bengali recipe.

Kolkata's special biryani is simply must try. Biryani recipes can be described simply as rice and meat cooked in layers of spices. Biryani as a form of food came to Kolkata with the nawab of Lucknow, Wajid Ali Shah, who was exiled in Bengal. So it is fair to say that the Kolkata biryani developed from the Lucknowi biryani recipe.
Before I also told that my husband is a great cook. Actually he prepare this  Kolkata Style Mutton Biryani for once our sunday spacial lunch.Taste was just awesome. Here I share the recipe .Hope you also enjoying with this recipe...:)

Ingredients:-

• Mutton - 600 grams (medium size pieces)
• Long Grain Basmati Rice- 4 cups (washed and soaked)]
• Potatoes- 3 (peeled and cut into halves)
• Egg-4 (Boiled)
• Curd- 1/2 cups
• Shan Biryani Powder -1 tsp(optional)
• Red chilli powder- 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
• Onions- 3+1 (chopped finely)
• Ginger-Garlic paste - 1 tsp +1 tsp
• coriander powder-1/2 tsp
• Green chillis- 5
• Black cardamom- 1
• Bay leaves- 3
• Green cardamom- 4
• Cinnamon stick- 1
• Cloves- 5
• Peppercorns- 8-10
• Saffron- 1 pinch
• Milk- 1/4 cup
• Star Anise seeds - 3 to 4
• Dry Cilanthro leaves- 1/2 tsp
• Rose water- 1 tbsp
• Kewra water- 1 tbsp
• Salt- as per taste
• Oil- 4-6 tbsp
• Ghee- 2 tbsp
  

Method:-

1. At first wash mutton pieces carefully . Marinate with half of the curd, shan biryani powder,red chilli powder, turmeric and salt.and keep in refrigerator (not freezer) overnight. Should be taken out well ahead of cooking and be in room temperature while cooking.
2. Then half cook the rice with bay leaves and black cardamom. You need to cook it for about 10 minutes on low -medium flame.Drain away the water and keep the rice aside for the time being.Rice breaks but not fully done when checking. You may cover the rice with a net and put under a fan to cool also.
   
3. Boiled & clean the skin of the eggs also & keep aside.
4.  Roast the ingredients of garam masala namely, (peppercorns, cloves, green cardamom and cinnamon) on a dry pan for 30 seconds.
5.  Let it cool and then grind it into a fine powder.
6. Heat oil in deep bottomed non-sticky wok or pan. Add onion and fry in high heat stirring constantly to nicely golden brown, take care they do not get burnt. Add red chili and garlic. Saute till fragrant. Add ginger and saute. Add coriander powder. (May sprinkle a little water if required). Stir and then add mutton. Saute well till muttons are brown and oil separates.Check the salt again. Add the curd and saute well. Add sufficient water. Boil and pressure cook for 20-25 mins in low -medium flame. Open the lid when pressure drops and boil to evaporate any residual water.Now add half spoon of the garam masala we had prepared here before.
   
7. Also fry the potatoes and keep them aside.
8. Heat milk in a microwave oven and divided into tow bowl. & add saffron & kewra with separately .Boil in micro high for 15-20 sec.
9.  Now take a big metal pot/Handi and grease it with ghee. Make one layer of rice. And top it with a layer of mutton gravy  2 eggs and 2 potatoes.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. On top of this sprinkle some garam masala, Dry Cilanthro leaves, Star Anise seeds, rose water, kewra and saffron (with milk).
11. Now make consecutive layers of meat, potato ,egg and rice till your ingredients end. The top layer must be of rice. Heat the rest of the ghee and pour it on the top layer.
12. Now seal the mouth of the pot with wheat flour dough/Aluminium foil  to tighten the lid and steam from coming out. Cook this on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
    
    
    
    
13. The Kolkata style biryani will be ready to eat. You can serve this yammy  biryani with raita and any type of thick spicy gravy curry.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Enjoy Your's Kolkata/Bengali Style Mutton Biryani.....!!!