Dum-Pukht Biryani Recipe

Ingredients:

* Chicken, cut into pieces 1/2 kg
* Basmati rice, boiled 3 teacups
* Onions, finely chopped 3 medium
* Ginger / garlic paste 3 tsp
* Tomatoes, pureed 6 medium
* Green chillies, finely chopped 6
* Mint and coriander leaves, 3 tbsp
* finely chopped
* Chilli powder 1 1/2 tsp
* Coriander powder 1/2 tsp
* Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
* Desi ghee or oil 4 tbsp
* Salt to taste
* Butter / oil 4 tbsp
* Coconut powder 2 tsp
* Sesame seeds 1 1/2 tsp
* Cumin seeds 1 tsp
* Onions rings, golden fried 3 medium
* Green chillies, sliced and fried 4
* Mint and coriander leaves, 2 tbsp, finely choped
* Garam masala powder pinch
* Oil / desi ghee 4 tbsp

Preparation:

1. In a shallow saucepan heat ghee I oil and fry onions till golden brown. Add 3 tsp ginger I garlic
paste. Fry and then add tomato puree and seasonings. Stir till tomatoes become soft and oil separates from the gravy. Turn up the heat, add chicken and mix well. Cover the pan and simmer on low heat till chicken is cooked and tender.
2. Baghar: In another saucepan, heat butter or oil and fry cumin seeds, coconut powder and sesame seeds on low heat till light brown. Pour over the chicken gravy and stir to mix.
3. Grease a large pan with ghee / oil. Put a thin layer of chicken topped with a thick layer of rice and sprinkle onion rings, green chillies, mint and coriander leaves and garam masala powder. Repeat with a thick layer of chicken and a layer of remaining rice.
4. Sprinkle with onion rings, green chillies, garam masala powder, coriander and mint leaves. Heat 4 tbsp of oil! desi ghee and pour over the rice. Cover and leave on very low heat for 10 - 14 minutes. Serve with raita.