Last Order Date For Christmas Delivery: Sunday 15th December
Ingredients
- For the lamb
- 2 lamb shanks
- 2 tbsp. cooking oil
- 1 knob unsalted butter
- 1 large onion sliced
- 2 ripe tomatoes chopped
- 2 tbsp curry paste (Patek’s balti)
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 800 ml lamb or chicken stock
- For the Biryani
- 500g cooked basmati rice
- 1 large onion sliced
- 30 ml cooking oil
- 1 tin new potatoes drained
- 1 tsp. turmeric
- 1 tsp. Garam masala
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Fresh coriander
- Fresh mint
- 4 tbsp plain yoghurt
- 1 green chilli finely sliced
Introduction
Biryani is of Persian origin & the word Biryani literally means 'burnt'. Traditionally made from leftovers, it's a real family favourite with many different versions all thought to be the original. Here's one of my favourites.Method
For the lamb
- Fry the shanks in the oil in a deep casserole until nut brown all over then set aside
- Add the butter & onions then fry in the same casserole until dark brown then add the garlic, curry paste, spices & tomatoes then continue to cook for 10 minutes over medium heat
- Add the shanks back to the dish & cover with the hot stock, simmer covered for 2 ½ hours until tender then remove from heat to cool
- Once cool shred the meat away from the bone & discard bone & excess fat
- Place the stock into a clean saucepan & reduce to a thick sauce then pour back over the lamb.
For the Biryani
- Pre heat the oven to 180°C fan assisted (gas mark 4) or 200°C without a fan
- Heat the oil in a saucepan then fry the onions until dark brown, almost 'burnt' this will take a good 15 minutes then drain & set aside
- Sprinkle the turmeric & Garam masala over the new potatoes & set aside
- Next build the Biryani, brush a casserole dish with the melted butter all over then add quarter of the rice, a little chopped mint & coriander a few potatoes, one third of the meat in sauce & a few 'burnt' onions
- Repeat two more times then finish with the remaining rice
- Cover with tight fitting lid or tin foil then place in the centre of the oven & bake for 30 minutes
- Serve with plenty of loose yoghurt & finely sliced green chilli.
Note: Soak the rice in warm water and then wash in cold water until the water runs clear pre cooking the rice then follow cooking instructions