An unusual biryani that not many might have heard of, Kathal Biryani or Jackfruit Biryani is made using raw jackfruit cooked with a variety of spices. Here is how to make Kathal ki Biryani.
Ingredients
For the Rice2 cups Long Grain Basmati Rice
2 tsp Salt
4 cups Water
2 Tej patta
2-3 Green cardamom
2 inch piece Cinnamon
3-4 Cloves
For the Masala3 tbsp Vegetable oil
3 tbsp Ghee
500 g Raw Jackfruit / Kathal
1 tsp Shahi zeera
1 and 1/2 cup Onions Thinly sliced
2 tsp Ginger Finely chopped
3-4 Green chillies
1 cup Yogurt
1 tsp Red chilli powder
1/2 tsp Garam masala powder
2 tbsp Fresh mint Chopped
2 tbsp Fresh coriander Chopped
Salt To taste
For Garnishing1/2 cup Golden fried onions
2 tbsp Mint leaves Chopped
10-12 Cashew nuts Fried until golden
15-20 Raisins
10-15 strands Saffron Soaked in 1 tbsp milk
Method
For the Rice* Wash the rice and soak in enough water for 30 minutes.
* Drain the water and add the rice in a heavy bottom pan along with 4 cups of water, salt, tej patta, green cardamom, cinnamon and cloves.
* Cook the rice until it is 80% done.
For the Masala* Heat oil in a pan.
* Once the oil is hot, add jackfruit and fry until golden brown.
* Remove from the pan and keep aside.
* In the same pan, add ghee.
* Once the ghee is hot, add shahi zeera and onion and fry until onion is golden brown.
* Add ginger and green chillies and fry for a minute.
* Add yogurt, red chilli powder, garam masala powder and fried jackfruit and fry for 3-4 minutes.
* Now add mint, coriander and salt and cover and cook the jackfruit until it is done.
* Add little water if required.
Assembling the Biryani* In a heavy bottom pan, add the jackfruit masala.
* Sprinkle some golden fried onions, mint leaves, cashew nuts and raisins.
* Cover with cooked rice.
* Top with the remaining golden fried onions, mint leaves, cashew nuts, raisins and saffron soaked in milk.
* Cover the pan tightly and cook on very low heat for 10-15 minutes.
* Remove the pan from heat and let it rest for another 10 minutes.
* Fluff with a fork and serve hot with raita.