4 steps for a perfect Dum biryani #FlavoursomeTuesday

Dum Biryani is a specialty of Hyderabad where the spicy rice is flavored with mutton/ chicken/ vegetables. This item is basically from Mughalai cuisine. Biryani is one of the top 5 things to try in Hyderabad.

Me, being an immature cook was afraid to try this for a long time. The rice needs to be half boiled and cooked with spices and vegetables/ chicken/ mutton. We should know exactly how much time we should cook the rice before starting the dum process. But, recently I watched a video from Vah chef on Vegetable Dum biryani and tried it. It came out perfect. I used the same process to prepare Chicken Biryani and was successful too.

Here are a few important steps to get that awesome Hyderabadi Flavour:

1. Marination

Whether you are attempting a vegetable Dum biryani/ Chicken/ Mutton dum biryani, just use the following ingredients to marinate. Marination for 2 hrs is enough but overnight is perfect.

Vegetables/ Chicken/ Mutton pieces (1/2 kg)
Salt - As per taste
Chilli powder - 2 spoons
Cut green chilies -  3 to 4
Ginger garlic paste - 2 spoons
Cumin powder - 1 spoon
Corriander powder - 1 spoon
Curd - 1/2 cup
Mint leaves - A few
Corriander leaves - A few
Lime juice - 2 spoons

2. Boiling of Rice

This is very crucial. I was afraid to attempt the dum biryani only because I didn't know what it means to boil rice by 70%. Fortunately, I found an easy way for it.

First, soak the basmati rice for 30 mins (usually, 4 to 5 cups is good for 1 kg chicken/ vegetables/ mutton). Boil water in a big saucepan by adding a few oil drops, salt, spices like cinnamon, biryani leaf, cardamom, cloves etc., When water bubbles, add the soaked rice. Wait until the water starts to bubble with rice. When it does, just put a timer for 5 mins and switch off the stove after 5 mins. Rice will be 70% cooked.

3. Starting process

In a big handi, add the required oil and spices like cinnamon, biryani leaf, cardamom, and cloves. Add onion cut into long slices and 6 green chilies slit in the middle. Stir continuously that the spices and onions are not burnt but turn to golden brown. Add 2 spoons of ginger garlic paste and fry in low flame until the masala smell comes out. Add a few mint leaves, cashew and 1 spoon of ghee. Then, add the marinated vegetables/ chicken/ mutton. Let it cook for 5 to 10 mins with lid covered.

Before we start the dum process, the vegetables/ chicken/ mutton should cook 70% so that they are soft and tender mixed with spices.

4. Dum process

Now in a different handi, add layers of cooked rice from step 2 and gravy from step 3 with fried onions, ghee, and a few drops of saffron milk(saffron soaked in milk) sprinkled over each layer. Cover the handi by sealing it tightly with aluminum foil and placing the lid on it. We should set stove in low to medium and cook the biryani rice for 15 to 20 mins.

Now, the perfect biryani will be ready to serve. It is usually served with Mirchi ka salan and Yogurt mint chutney.

I know, I am not very good at writing recipes, so please follow this video when in doubt. My version might be customized from this video.



I hope you will be able to do a perfect Hyderabadi Dum biryani. Enjoy :-)

Until next time,

Linking this post to #FlavoursomeTuesday by Sunita Rajwade of MumbaiOnAHigh and Shilpa Gupte of Metanoia

Also, linking this to #WritingWednesdays hosted by Corinne.

My Childhood Food memories #SuperBloggerChallenge2018

I am not a foodie and I manage to eat anything if it is a veg option cooked properly with enough salt and spice. But, My mother is a great cook. She loves cooking tasty dishes, she takes time to improve the food that she cooks and presents them properly. I am just the opposite. I don't have interest in both cooking and eating.

Still, I have some good childhood memories of food. Here are some:

Gold fingers :
They are some fries with salt and spice. We used to get these packs in our school cafeteria. We used to stand in a queue to buy them during recess and share them with our friends. I used to save pocket money for this. Of course, this is junk food, but I liked it because they were spicy and crunchy.

Gold finger snacks
PC: From Google images labeled with non-commercial reuse

Evening snacks :
After coming from school, our daily routine was to freshen up, eat homemade snacks made by my mom, and rush to dance classes. My mom used to make a variety of snacks like plantain bajji (stuffed fries), wholewheat dosas, Maggie, Rava laddoo, sweet laddoo, murukku etc., My favorite was whole wheat dosa, and my mom used to make 2 versions - a simple one and a sweet one.

Wheat Dosa
PC: From Google images labeled with non-commercial reuse

Poori :
I used to hate almost all breakfast items like idli, vada, and dosa as I am allergic to them. But, Pooris are so tasty and my all-time favorite breakfast. They take some time to make, so my mom used to prepare them on weekends when we got up late. We used to enjoy Pooris with potato curry or with a gravy made with chickpea flour.

Poori
PC:www.pixabay.com

Rice items and Specific vegetables:
I almost like all rice varieties like veg pulao, tamarind rice, tomato rice, etc., I like some vegetables more like ladyfingers, potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants.

Ladyfingers/ Okra
PC:www.pixabay.com

Really, those were fantastic days when we didn't need to cook anything and just eat and enjoy a tasty meal. What were your childhood favorites and best food memories? Do share in comments.

Until next time,

This article is written as part of SuperBloggingChallenge2018 conducted by Healthwealthbridge.com,Fashionablefoodz.com, and Allaboutthewoman.com and should not be repurposed, republished or used otherwise. SuperBloggerChallenge2018 is not responsible for any kind of infringement caused. 

Linking this to #FlavoursomeTuesdays hosted by Sunita and Shilpa. 

Also, linking this to #QuotedStories hosted by Upasna.

A healthy Mexican wrap / Rice bowl #FlavoursomeTuesdays

 I am neither a good cook nor a foodie. But, when my fellow bloggers Sunita and Shilpa started a new linkup to share food stories, memories, and recipes, I want to join the bandwagon too.

Since I don't like cooking, I always try and search recipes which are quick and healthy. When we moved to the USA, I started liking Mexican food after Indian. There are very less good Indian restaurants at my place and so I try other cuisines. I liked the food in Chili's, Qdoba Mexican Grill and Chipotle. They are as filling as Indian food and tasty. Here is one recipe that I tried at home which is a copy of Chipotle Mexican Rice bowl/ wrap. I can assure you that very less cooking is required.

PC: www.pixabay.com

The recipe is in 4 steps. 

1. Choose a Base

a) Cilantro lemon rice - Cooked rice mixed with cilantro, salt, and lime juice

OR

b) Brown rice - Cooked brown rice with salt

2. Choose Protein

a) Chicken - Small Chicken breast pieces should be marinated with 1 spoon honey, 1 spoon olive oil, 1/2 spoon minced garlic, 1 green chili cut into small pieces, salt, and pepper and left for half an hour at least. They should be fried in olive oil with minced garlic and kept aside.

OR

b) Avocado paste - Make a paste of one avocado and mix with small onion pieces, tomato pieces, salt, and pepper. Lime juice can be added at the end.

OR

c) Beans - Add one spoon of olive oil, fry minced garlic (2 pods), one green chili cut into small pieces and 1 cup of cooked beans. Add salt, pepper, and oregano or any Italian seasoning you have.


3. Add Vegetables

a) Tomato Salsa - Small tomato pieces, mixed with boiled corn, onions, salt, and pepper.

OR

 b) Fry onions and bell pepper cut into thin slices in olive oil until they are slightly cooked and turn crispy.

OR

c) Add cucumbers cut into small pieces along with cherry tomatoes cut in half and some lettuce.

4. Add dressing at the end

Yogurt dressing: A small cup of Greek yogurt blended with ground cumin powder, salt, pepper and coriander leaves.

This can be made quickly. But, you can try other dressings if you wish.

After completing all the steps, Add all of them in a bowl/ place in a tortilla wrap after adding shredded cheese on top of it.

My Customized version of Mexican Rice bowl:

Cilantro Lime rice + Beans +Avocao paste + Tomato Salsa + Fried onions, bell pepper + Yogurt dressing + Shredded cheese. 

PC: www.pixabay.com

That's yummy and filling! Try it for lunch/dinner and let me know how it is :-)

Also, find this kind of yummy dishes here in Colorado Springs. I know you would love it :-)

Until next time,

Linking this to #FlavoursomeTuesdays hosted by Shilpa and Sunita.

PS: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are mine.