Comorian Lamb and Rice Biryani
A fragrant and flavorful Comorian-style lamb biryani, featuring tender lamb marinated in yogurt and spices, layered with aromatic basmati rice and cooked to perfection.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb shoulder(cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 500 g Basmati rice(rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes)
- 200 ml Yogurt
- 3 large Onions(thinly sliced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 tablespoons Ginger(grated)
- 6 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 4 tablespoons Ghee or vegetable oil
- 1 piece Cinnamon stick
- 4 whole Cardamom pods
- 4 whole Cloves
- 2 leaves Bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons Coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder(or to taste)
- to taste Salt
- 1/2 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
- 1/4 cup Fresh mint(chopped, for garnish)
- a pinch Saffron threads(soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Marinate the lamb: In a large bowl, combine lamb pieces with yogurt, grated ginger, minced garlic, turmeric, coriander, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight.
- 2
Prepare the fried onions: Heat ghee or oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and fry until golden brown and crispy. Remove half of the fried onions and set aside for garnish. Leave the remaining onions in the pot.
- 3
Cook the lamb masala: Add the marinated lamb to the pot with the remaining fried onions. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is browned on all sides. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes until they soften.
- 4
Add whole spices and liquid: Stir in the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and bay leaves. Add about 1 cup of water, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 45-60 minutes, or until the lamb is tender. Adjust salt if needed.
- 5
Cook the rice: While the lamb is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the soaked and drained basmati rice and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until it is about 70% cooked (al dente). Drain the rice thoroughly.
- 6
Layer the biryani: In the same pot with the lamb masala (or a clean pot if preferred), spread half of the partially cooked rice evenly over the lamb. Sprinkle with half of the chopped cilantro and mint. Layer the remaining rice on top. Drizzle the saffron-infused milk over the top layer of rice.
- 7
Steam the biryani: Cover the pot tightly with a lid (you can seal it with dough if desired for a better seal). Cook on very low heat for 20-25 minutes, allowing the rice to steam and absorb the flavors from the lamb masala below. Alternatively, place the pot in a preheated oven at 160°C (325°F) for 25-30 minutes.
- 8
Serve: Gently fluff the biryani with a fork, mixing the layers slightly. Garnish with the reserved fried onions, fresh cilantro, and mint. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Marinating the lamb overnight will result in more tender and flavorful meat.
- ✓Ensure the rice is not overcooked before layering, as it will continue to cook during steaming.
- ✓Adjust chili powder according to your spice preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add a few dried plums or apricots for a touch of sweetness.
- Substitute chicken or beef for lamb.
- Add a tablespoon of rose water to the saffron milk for an extra floral aroma.