Fish Biriyani

Fish Biriyani -

Ingredients :

1 lbs Catfish (You can use any fish of your choice)

2 medium sized onion

1 medium sized tomato

1 tbsp Red chili powder

Coriander leaves, 1/2 bunch

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 cups Basmati rice

whole garam masala (1 cinnamon stick, 1 star anise, 2 cloves, 1 black cardamom)

Ghee/butter, as required

Oil, as required

Salt to taste

2 -3 drops kewra water

Marination for fish :

3/4 cup yogurt

1 tbsp Ginger and Garlic paste

1 tsp black pepper powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 and 1/2 tbsp Biriyani Masala (I always prepare Biriyani masala at home.)

Following are the ingredients for Biriyani Masala:

Cinnamon- 2 inch piece 

Cloves 8-10

Cardamom - 8

Black cardamon - 2

Nutmeg -1 

Bay leaves- 1

Fennel seeds- 1tsp

Mace  5-6

Caraway seeds/Shah Jeera- 1 tbsp

Star Anise-1          

Method:

Wash the fish thoroughly and cut into 2" pieces. Wash the basmati rice properly and keep aside.

Marinate the fish with the ingredients as mentioned above and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Heat 1 tbsp ghee/butter  in a non stick deep skillet, fry the whole garam masala, add rice and fry again for less than a minute . Add water , a pinch of salt and cook rice till its half boiled.

Heat 1 tbsp of oil , fry 2 chopped onions with 1 tbsp red chili powder till it gets golden brown .Then add 1 chopped tomato and cook till it gets pulpy. At the end, add the marinated fish and cook till the fish is half done. 

In an Oven safe large serving dish with a tight lid, lay the rice at the bottom and spread. Layer with the fish gravy. If you wish, you can add a layer of fried onions (You can either use store fried onions or make it at home). Sprinkle a few drops of Kewra Water . Repeat with a layer of rice and curry followed by sprinkling kewra water . Layer until all the rice and gravy has been used up. Pour the lime juice on top.

Put the lid on the vessel. Make a seal so that the steam cannot escape at all. Put this dish inside a preheated oven at 250 deg F. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes and turn off the oven. 

Do not remove Biriyani for atleast one hour from the Oven.

Served with Raita.