Ingredients

  • 1 lb mutton or 1 lb lamb, cubed
  • 2 cloves
  • 2 big black cardamom pods
  • 2 small green cardamoms
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 teaspoons shah zeera
  • 2 teaspoons coriander powder
  • salt
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 14 nutmeg, ground
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala powder
  • 2 tablespoons yogurt
  • 1 lb cooked rice
  • 12 teaspoon saffron, mixed with
  • 1 tablespoon warm milk
  • 12 cup mint leaf
  • 12 cup coriander leaves
  • 4 tablespoons pure ghee (clarified butter)
  • 3 cups water

Method

  • Heat ghee.
  • Add all the whole spices.
  • Give it a few twirls and add the ground spices.
  • Almost immediately add the yogurt.
  • Fry for a minute.
  • To this masala mixture, add all the meat.
  • Toss around to coat well.
  • Cook meat till it is well browned and the yogurt is absorbed by the meat.
  • Sprinkle in salt to taste.
  • Add water-- immerse the meat completely in it.
  • Use more or less, as required.
  • Cook on med-low fire till done and the liquid has all but evaporated (takes about 40 mins).
  • Keep aside.
  • Divide the rice in two portions.
  • Mix saffron with one portion and add half the meat to it.
  • Layer this rice and meat mixture at the bottom of a heavy bottom pot (you can use the same one that you cooked the meat in).
  • Add mint and coriander leaves.
  • Cover with white rice and remaining meat.
  • Shut the pot tightly.
  • Cook on low fire for a 10 minutes so as to infuse the aromas of the spices and the flavour of the meat into the rice.
  • Invert on to a large dish and serve with plain yogurt or raita.