200th Post with a Mutton Biryani

Well now this is the 200th post on Simply Spicy and quiet a delightful feel to reach this point. I have not been able to blog as frequently as before, because of certain constraints.
Now this is a kerala way of preparing mutton biryani, which has been a favourate in our household. Most of the preparation is done in pressure cooker and minimal oil/ ghee is used, so you don't get that heavy feel after having biryani. For the biryani, equal quantity of meat and rice has to be used...ie for 1 kilo meat, 1 kilo rice. This will give good results.

Ingredients

500 grams - Mutton with bones
2 cup - Basmati Rice
2 cups - Water
3 big - onions, chopped finely, lengthwise
1 - Lemon, extract juice
1 - Big tomato, chopped
1/2 bunch - Coriander leaves,chopped
1/2 bunch - Mint leaves , chopped
1 - Bay leaf
1 /2 tsp - Turmeric powder
5 tbsp - Ghee
Salt to taste

Grind to a fine paste

5 big - Green chili
1'' piece - Ginger
1 whole clove - Garlic
1 cup - Medium sour yogurt

Make a fine powder of

3 small pieces - Cinnamon
4 - Cloves
1 tsp - Fennel seed
1 tsp - Poppy seed / Khus-khus
1/2 of a - Javitri
1 tsp - Coriander powder
1 tsp - Black pepper powder

Method

1 ) Wash basmati rice well and soak for 10 minutes. Drain out the water well and let the rice dry out completely.

2 ) To marinate mutton - Mix, finely ground ingredients with powdered ingredients. Add salt to taste and apply this marinade to the mutton pieces. Marinate for 1/2 hour.

3 ) Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a pressure cooker, add onions and fry till onion is translucent. Then transfer marinated mutton to the pressure cooker. Add tomato, close the cooker. After the first whistle, lower the flame to simmer and pressure cook for 20 minutes. Cool and then open the cooker.

4 ) Meanwhile in another big wide pan, heat 3 tbsp ghee on low heat. Add bay leaf, basmati rice and fry the rice lightly for 5 minutes. Add turmeric powder, coriander leaves, mint leaves, salt to taste and fry for a minute.

5 ) Along side bring 2 cups water to a boil, in another utensil. With care pour water into the fried rice and cook till rice is partially cooked. Now add the cooked mutton along with the gravy, lemon juice, stir and mix in. Now cover with a tight lid and cook on simmer for 5 minutes. Switch off the stove and open the lid after 15 minutes.

Serve along with raita (made with yogurt mixed with small onions, green chili, tomato and salt), pappad and coriander chutney.