Mughalai Biryani, also known as Mughlai Chicken Biryani, pays homage to the opulent Mughal Empire of India. Originating from the Mughal Era, this dish is part of a culinary heritage that includes Mughlai Pilau, Mughlai Chaney, Mughlai Koftay or Shahi Kofty, and more. Mughalai Biryani offers a glimpse into the cooking techniques employed by the Mughals. One distinguishing feature of this biryani is the frying of rice in pure (desi) oil before it is mixed with meat, although it can be prepared with various types of meat. In the days of the Mughals, this dish was exclusively prepared in the royal Mughal kitchens, making it a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. Even today, Mughalai Biryani remains a cherished delicacy, often commanding a higher price compared to other biryani variations. Experience the regal flavors of Mughalai Biryani and transport yourself to the grandeur of the Mughal era.
The specialty of Mughlai Biryani:
Mughlai Biryani is a unique type of Biryani. This is famous for its ‘Shahi look’ and delicious taste. Along with basic Biryani ingredients, Mughlai Biryani is cooked in a variety of dry fruits. However, Saffron is also of its ingredients. As far as taste concerned, Mughlai Biryani’s taste is very unique because its rice is fried in ‘Desi Ghee’. Desi Ghee gives this biryani another level of aroma. The use of dry fruits like Almonds, Cashew nuts, Pastachues, and Dates make this biryani more Mughalai. This is the speciality of Mughlai Biryani. Nowadays, this kind of biryani serves in many food cuisines like Afghani food cuisine, Irani food cuisine, Turkish food cuisine, Indian food cuisine and Pakistani food cuisine.
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In Pakistan, you can find Mughalai Biryani or Special Mughalai Biryani, or Shahi Biryani’s sine boards everywhere in local food streets. Similarly, this biryani is also largely cooked in Pakistani households. People love to add this type of biryani to their celebrations menu. For me, this is one of my favourite biryanis and one of the most delicious meals that I have ever had.
Major Ingredients:
Recipe of Mughalai Biryani
The recipe of Mughlai Biryani is almost the same as other biryani. The major difference in its recipe is the use of extra bunches of ingredients like dry fruits and saffron for garnishing. My recipe of Mughlai biryani is very delicious and less hard to cook. Following are the step by step instructions of my recipe/.
Ingredients
- For Marination:
- 2 cup fried onion
- ½ tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 cup curd
- ¾ tsp salt
- For Ground Paste:
- 25 gm Ginger
- 2 full pods of Garlic
- 5 green chillies
- 3 black cardamom
- 4 green cardamom
- ¼ inch cinnamon pieces
- 4 cloves
- ¾ tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 pinch nutmeg powder
- 2 pods Mace
- 1 tbsp peppercorns
- 2 medium-size tomatoes
- For chicken masala:
- 2 tbsp chilli powder
- 1 tbsp Coriander powder
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- Salt as required
- For rice:
- 2 cup Basmati Rice
- 2 black cardamom
- 4 green chillies
- ½ tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 piece cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- 2 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp ghee
- Salt to taste
- Water as required
- For garnishing:
- Cashew nuts
- 1 tbsp saffron
- 2 tbsp warm milk
- ½ cup fried onions
- 2 tbsp coriander leaves
- 1 tbsp mint leaves
- 2 tbsp ghee
- Some dry fruits as per your taste
Directions
- Step 1 For chicken masala:
- Step 2 Grinde and mix all the ingredients and make the masala powder then make a fine paste.
- Step 3 Add chicken pieces to the bowl and mix them with masala powder and marinate for at least one hour.
- Step 4 Then add coconut oil to a pan and heat the flame.
- Step 5 Add marinated chicken pieces into that oil and cook on medium flame until the gravy becomes thick.
- Step 6 Add salt at this stage if needed and set aside.
- Step 7 For the rice: Wash and soak the rice and drain the water completely and set aside.
- Step 8 Mix saffron in warm milk and set aside.
- Step 9 In a large pan add water, spices listed, salt, ghee and bring to boil.
- Step 10 Then, add soak rice and boil them.
- Step 11 In a separate pan make chicken masala.
- Step 12 Add all the above-listed ingredients to the chicken masala.
- Step 13 Layer half of the boiled rice on top of chicken masala.
- Step 14 Then sprinkle fried onion and garam masala.
- Step 15 Then layer the rest of the rice.
- Step 16 Again, sprinkle the fried onion and garam masala.
- Step 17 Add some dry fruits and saffron milk on top.
- Step 18 Lastly, dum the biryani pan with a tight lid for 15 minutes on low flame.
- Step 19 Remove from heat and mix the rice with chicken from the bottom of the pan.
- Step 20 Your Mughlai Biryani is ready to serve with Raita, papad and pickles.
CREDIT: yummyntasty.com
