Bombay Biryani with Shan Masala
Biryani is one of the most popular and beloved dishes in South Asia, with many variations depending on the region. One such variation is the Bombay Biryani, which originated in the bustling city of Mumbai. It is a fragrant and flavorful dish made with tender meat, aromatic spices, and long-grain basmati rice.
In this article, we will guide you on how to make the perfect Bombay Biryani recipe, using Shan spice mix, which is a popular brand of spice mix in South Asia.
Why use Shan masala and readymade biryani masala
Using Shan masala and readymade biryani masala can make the process of making chicken biryani much easier and more convenient. These masalas come with a blend of spices and herbs, carefully balanced to create the perfect flavor profile for the dish. This takes the guesswork out of measuring and blending spices, making the process much simpler and faster.
In addition to the convenience factor, using Shan masala and readymade biryani masala also ensures consistency in the flavor of the dish. This is because the proportions of spices and herbs are carefully calibrated in each packet of masala, which ensures that the same flavor is achieved every time the dish is prepared. This is especially useful for those who are new to cooking or may not be familiar with the precise ratios of spices required for the dish.
When choosing a brand of masala, it is important to look for one that is made with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any preservatives or artificial additives. This ensures that the final dish is healthy, flavorful, and authentic.
How to make chicken biryani using Shan masala
Bombay Biryani with Shan Masala
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken 2.2 lbs
For Garnish
- 1 Onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced cashews
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
For Cooking Chicken
- 3 onions sliced 300 grams
- 2 tbsp ginger paste
- 2 tbsp garlic paste
- 3-4 tomatoes diced 300 grams
- 2 Medium Potatoes, peeled and quartered 250 grams
- 1 packet Shan Special Bombay Biryani Mix
- 2 Tbsp yogurt Adjust the quantity to your taste.
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 cup water
- 2-3 green chilies sliced
For Cooking Rice
- 4 cloves
- 10-12 black pepper
- 3-4 cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 Star Anise
- 3½ cups basmati rice 750 gram
- juice from half of lemon
- 1 tbsp Salt, adjust to your taste
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes.
Marinate Chicken
- In a large bowl, add chicken pieces, 1 packet of Shan Bombay Biryani Masala, Ginger Paste, and Garlic Paste. Mix well to coat the chicken in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Please note that the spice mix already has enough salt so no additional salt is needed.
Preparation
- In a separate pan, heat 1/2 cup of oil or ghee over medium-high heat. Add one sliced onion and fry until they turn golden brown. Remove the onions from the pan and set them aside.
- In the same pot, fry the cashews, and raisins until they are lightly browned. Remove the cashews and raisins from the pan and set them aside with the onions.
Cooking Meat
- In the same pan, add the remaining sliced onion (3) and fry until they are golden brown. The golden brown color gives the best flavor to the biryani.
- Now add the tomatoes and mix them all together. Cover with a lid and cook until they are soft. Open the lid and fry until oil separates.
- Add the marinated chicken pieces and mix well, coating them with the onion tomatoes mix. Stir fry for 10 minutes over medium heat.
- Add 1/2 cup of hot water. Cover the pan and let the meat cook on medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes or until it is tender. Stir in between occasionally to avoid sticking at the bottom. Add 1/2 cup more water if needed.
- Once the meat is cooked, remove the lid and add 2 boiled Potatoes chopped (optional), 2 tbsp yogurt, green chilies and mix all together. Note: Adjust the yogurt to your preference (up to 1/2 cup)
- Cook over medium flame until the oil separates from the gravy.
- Turn off the heat and set aside.
Cooking the Rice
- In a separate pot, boil 8 cups of water with 1 tbsp of salt.
- Add all spices for cooking rice, including star anise, cardamom, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, cloves, black pepper
- Drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling water. Add 1 tbsp salt.
- Cook the rice for 8-10 minutes or until it is 90% cooked.
- Drain the rice and keep it aside.
Layering the biryani
- Set aside enough fried onions, cashews, fresh cilantro leaves, and mint leaves for garnish at the end.
- In a large pot, spread a layer of meat curry at the bottom.
- Layer the cooked rice, fried onions, chopped mint leaves, fresh cilantro leaves, raisins, and cashews
- Add a layer of cooked meat on top of the rice.
- Repeat another layer of rice and meat until they are finished.
- If there is any gravy left, pour that over the layered ingredients.
- Pour 1-2 tbsp ghee over the layered ingredients.
- Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and fluffy.
- Garnish with fried onions and fresh cilantro leaves
Serving
- Serve hot with a raita and salad. Enjoy your delicious Shan Bombay Biryani Masala!
Notes
- The recipe for the Shan Readymade Masala suggest 1 cup of oil but when I tried it was too much oil. I reduced the oil to 1/2 cup.
- The recipe on the Shan Readymade Masala suggests adding 1 cup of yogurt to the chicken and I preferred to use less yogurt. You can adjust the quantity to your preference.
- If you cook onion in the microwave for a few minutes (3-4) it will reduce the time to fry.
- The recipe for the Shan Readymade Masala suggests adding 2 cups of water to the chicken and you can reduce that to 1 cup.
Chicken biryani is a delicious and flavorful dish that is enjoyed by people all over the world. By using Shan masala and readymade biryani masala, you can simplify the process of making this dish, without compromising on the taste and authenticity of the final product.
Can I make chicken biryani without using Shan masala or readymade biryani masala?
Yes, you can make chicken biryani without using these pre-packaged spice mixes. However, it may require more time and effort to measure and blend the spices to create the desired flavor profile.
FAQs
Yes, you can substitute lamb for chicken in this recipe. Adjust the cooking time accordingly as lamb takes longer to cook than chicken.
It is not recommended to use regular rice instead of basmati rice in this recipe as basmati rice has a distinct flavor and aroma that complements the spices and meat. If you must use regular rice, use long-grain rice and adjust the cooking time.
The Shan Bombay Biryani spice mix has a medium level of spiciness. If you prefer less spicy food, reduce the amount of spice mix in the recipe. If you like more spicy then you can add more chili powder and garam masala.
To ensure that your chicken biryani is not too dry, it is important to add enough water to the pot while cooking the chicken. Additional water can be added as needed to prevent the dish from drying out. It is also important to ensure that the rice is not overcooked, as this can make the dish dry and mushy.
