Do you love Biryani? Nothing like a good plate of biryani! This dish is an evergreen classic that needs no introduction. It’s full of flavors, it’s aromatic, and a much-loved delicacy not just in India but across the world. Biryani is a feast made with layers of aromatic flavors of different ingredients and when served warm and fresh from a casserole, it hits all the right spots with its exotic aroma and flavor. Loaded with rice, caramelized onion, veggies, crunchy cashews, herbs, warm spices, mint, etc are recognized to delight everyone’s taste buds.
It is believed that the Mughals were the first to introduce Biryani in North India and other countries. It is a notable dish throughout the country with its roots in Old Delhi, Lucknow, and Hyderabad. Made primarily from rice, it boasts a variety of versions over different parts of the country. Some of the most popular versions are Mughlai Biryani, Hyderabad Biryani, Lucknowi Biryani, Ambur Biryani, Kashmiri Biryani, Calcutta Biryani, Afghani Biryani, and Bombay Biryani to name a few.
There’s ample room for creativity when it comes to Biryani but there are some things to consider to give it a perfect aroma. Here, we’ve discussed 10 tips to make the best Biryani that you can serve from an insulated casserole
1. Use Top-Quality Ingredients
The type of ingredients you use in your Biryani can make or break the experience. To get the perfect taste and texture, you will need to use the best type of rice and the ideal one considered for this dish is the Basmati rice. The Basmati grains are long and slender that become fluffy on cooking and smell awesome. Also, the good quality of rice won’t stick to each other and hence are cooked evenly.
2. Cook Rice and Meat Separately and Never Overcook the Rice
The thumb rule for making a perfect Biryani is to cook rice and meat separately if you’re making a non-vegetarian Biryani. As for rice, never overcook it to avoid the dish from becoming mushy. Also, marination plays an imperative role, and red meats, mutton, and lamb should be marinated at least 4-5 hours in advance or overnight for succulent pieces.
3. Embrace the Best Rice and Cooking Method
For achieving the best flavor out of every ingredient, add a potli of whole spices while boiling rice and add some lime juice midway through the process. It will add freshness to the rice and will also make sure that or doesn’t overcook. There’s also a variation that is cooked with soaked raw rice layered over marinated meat or a layer of vegetables and then cooked slowly in a sealed pot.
4. Fried Onions are a Key Ingredient
Using fried onions is the key to get everything right and it may test your patience but worth considering. Cut onions into slices and brown them in a non-stick pan on medium flame in some oil. Fry them but they don’t need to be extra crispy and make sure they are deep golden brown. They will not only add authentic flavor to the Biryani but a pleasing color as well.
5. Add Extra Moisture but Don’t Overdo
Once you’re done with layering rice over the meat or vegetables, make sure to add extra moisture. For this, you can use ghee or butter, milk, meat stock, rose water, edible fragrance, kewda, etc. Using any of these ingredients as moisture will add to the shine and flavor. However, you will need to pay attention to the quantity of moisture to bring out the best taste of every ingredient.
6. Use the Right Utensil or Pot
To make the best Biryani, you will need to pick the right pot for preparing it. The best pots are copper and brass ones as they are perfectly tinned and heavy-bottomed. Though you can use other metalware, make sure that the utensil you pick has a thick base to avoid burning at the base. Furthermore, the pot should be large enough to load all the ingredients and there is a minimum of 30% space still left for the steam. As soon as cooked, transfer it to a stainless steel hot case or casserole, one that would keep the biryani fresh and warm.
7. Pay Attention to the Cooking Time
Apart from the cooking method, it’s important to pay attention to cooking time. The overcooked meshy Biryani will neither look good nor taste awesome. Make sure rice is semi-cooked and you may soak the rice before boiling and keep an eye for visual signs. The best way to know whether it is cooked or not is to mesh a rice grain between thumb and finger.
8. Use Spiced Water for Cooking Rice
If you are running out of time, one way to make that perfect Biryani is by using spiced water for cooking rice. As the rice should be flavored with spices, you can boil the rice with whole spices, salt, and herbs in a pot with plenty of water. Mix all the spices into boiling water and stir well till you see a color change. Now add soaked rice to the boiled water and cook until the rice is 70% cooked.
9. Use Saffron for a Dash of Color and Drizzle Ghee on Top
Using saffron and ghee are two best ways to bring that perfect aroma and deliciousness to your Biryani. At the time of assembling Biryani, top the dish with saffron soaked in milk to give it a wonderful color and pour some ghee to elevate the flavor. You can add these things either while serving or just before cooking the biryani at the last step.
10. What Looks Good, Tastes Good
As we all are aware of the fact that the first impression is the last, the same goes with dishes. If your dish looks good, it will taste good and it is a human tendency to eat food with five senses. Serving food beautifully and at the proper temperature will enhance the flavor of the dish. Food presentation is just as important as the recipe itself as what temps to the eye, makes everyone want to taste it.
Just in case you are in the mood to cook something delicious and loaded with amazing ingredients, Biryani can be your perfect pick. As there are many different ways to cook this dish, you can pick one that suits you the best and enjoy it with your loved ones.