Kashmiri Biryani

Servings: 6-8

INGREDIENTS

For the marinade

• 2 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
• 430ml/15fl oz plain yoghurt
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tbsp red chilli powder
• ¼ nutmeg, grated
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1 lemon, juice only

For the biryani

• 1kg/2lb 4oz mutton from leg or shoulder, bone removed, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 500g/1lb 2oz basmati rice
• ½ lime, juice only
• ¼ tbsp salt
• 150g ghee, melted, or vegetable oil
• 40g raisins
• 60g oz walnut halves
• 4 green cardamom pods
• 2 inch piece of cinnamon stick
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 black cardamom pods (optional)
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp saffron strands, soaked in 120ml/4fl oz warm milk or water
• few drops rosewater or kewra water
• 30g dried figs and apricots
• 30g dried cranberries
• 20g fresh mint leaves

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix the marinade ingredients together in a large bowl, add the meat and stir to coat. Cover and put in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes, or if possible overnight.
2. Meanwhile, wash the rice in a couple of changes of water, then soak it for 20 minutes. Bring 2.5 litres/4½ pints of water to the boil in a large saucepan. Add the rice, lime juice and salt and boil for 6 minutes, until the rice is two-thirds cooked. Drain the rice and spread it out on a tray to cool.
   
3. Heat two-thirds of the ghee or vegetable oil in a wide, heavy-based casserole dish. Add the raisins and fry for 30 seconds, or until they puff up, then remove them and drain on kitchen paper. Add the walnuts and fry for 30 seconds, then remove them and drain on kitchen paper.
   
4. Add the cardamom pods, cinnamon and bay to the casserole and fry for 30–60 seconds. Add the cumin and black cardamom pods. Add the meat with its marinade and cook for 10–12 minutes over a high heat, stirring occasionally. Add the coriander, garam masala and 250ml/9fl oz of water and cook, covered, over a medium heat for 1 hour, or until the meat is tender and some sauce still remains in the pan. Add a little more water, if needed.
   
5. To assemble, spread an even layer of the rice over the cooked meat and sauce, sprinkle the saffron milk, rose water, fried raisins and walnuts, cranberries and mint over the rice and the remaining ghee.
   
6. Cover with a tightly fitting lid and cook over a medium–low heat for 10–15 minutes, until the dish is hot through. Set aside for another 5 minutes, then open the pot and serve.