Kolkata Style Mutton Biryani Recipe is a culinary masterpiece that beautifully marries rich flavors and aromatic spices, making it a beloved dish in Indian cuisine. This recipe captures the essence of Kolkata’s famous biryani, known for its tender mutton, fragrant rice, and unique cooking technique. Perfect for special occasions or a delightful family meal, this biryani is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds.
Ingredients:
For the Mutton Marinade:
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- 1 cup plain yogurt
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- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
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- 2-3 green chilies, slit
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- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
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- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
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- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
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- 1 tablespoon biryani masala (store-bought or homemade)
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- Salt to taste
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- 2-3 tablespoons ghee or oil
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- Fresh mint leaves, chopped (a handful)
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- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (a handful)
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- Juice of 1 lemon
For the Rice:
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- 2 cups basmati rice
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- 4 cups water
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- 4-5 green cardamom pods
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- 4-5 cloves
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- 1-2 bay leaves
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- 1 small stick of cinnamon
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- Salt to taste
For Garnishing:
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- Fried onions (store-bought or homemade)
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- Boiled eggs (optional)
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- Additional mint and coriander leaves
Instructions :
Step 1: Marinate the Mutton
- In a large bowl, combine the mutton pieces with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, biryani masala, salt, slit green chilies, chopped mint, coriander leaves, and lemon juice. Mix well to ensure the mutton is evenly coated with the marinade.
- Cover the bowl and let it marinate for at least 2 hours, but for the best Flavors, marinate it overnight in the refrigerator.
Step 2: Prepare the Rice
- Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Soak the rice in water for about 30 minutes, then drain it.
- In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the soaked rice, green cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and salt. Cook the rice until it is about 70% done (it should still have a slight bite). Drain the rice and set it aside.
Step 3: Cook the Mutton
- In a heavy-bottomed pot or pressure cooker, heat 2-3 tablespoons of ghee or oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté until they turn golden brown. Remove half of the fried onions and set them aside for garnishing.
- Add the marinated mutton to the pot and cook on medium-high heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mutton is browned and the oil starts to separate from the mixture.
- If using a pressure cooker, add a little water (about 1/2 cup) and cover. Cook for about 2-3 whistles or until the mutton is tender. If using a regular pot, cover and cook on low heat for about 30-40 minutes, adding water as needed to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Layer the Biryani
- Once the mutton is cooked and tender, reduce the heat to low. Layer the partially cooked rice over the mutton in the pot.
- Sprinkle the remaining biryani masala, fried onions, and additional chopped mint and coriander leaves over the rice. You can also add boiled eggs at this stage if desired.
- Drizzle a little ghee over the top for added Flavors.
Step 5: Dum Cooking
- Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. To ensure no steam escapes, you can seal the edges with dough or a clean kitchen towel before placing the lid on.
- Cook on low heat
Step 5: Dum Cooking (continued)
- Cook on low heat for about 25-30 minutes. This process is known as “dam,” where the steam cooks the rice and mutton together, allowing the Flavors to meld beautifully.
- After the cooking time is up, turn off the heat and let the biryani rest for another 10-15 minutes without lifting the lid. This helps in further steaming the rice.
Step 6: Serve
- Gently fluff the biryani with a fork, being careful not to break the rice grains.
- Serve the Kolkata-style mutton biryani hot, garnished with the reserved fried onions, and accompanied by raita (yogurt sauce) or salad.
Indulge in Flavors: Authentic Kolkata Style Mutton Biryani Recipe Kolkata style mutton biryani is a culinary masterpiece that beautifully marries rich flavors and aromatic spices, making it a beloved dish in Indian cuisine. This recipe captures the essence of Kolkata’s famous biryani, known for its tender mutton, fragrant rice, and unique cooking technique. Perfect for special occasions or a delightful family meal, this biryani is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds. Ingredients: – Mutton Marinade: [list ingredients] – Rice: [list ingredients] – Garnishing: [list ingredients] Instructions: Marinate the Mutton: [provide steps] Prepare the Rice: [provide steps] Cook the Mutton: [provide steps] Layer the Biryani: [provide steps] Dum Cooking: [provide steps] Serve: [provide steps] Enjoy your delicious homemade Kolkata-style mutton biryani!
