Hyderabadi Biryani (Yogurt Marinated Lamb) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

The Lamb
1 lb lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pint plain yogurt
4 teaspoons ghee or 4 teaspoons clarified butter
3 cloves
3 cardamom pods
3 cinnamon sticks
3 green chilies, chopped
3 large onions, chopped
3 tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
The Rice
2 cups basmati rice
3 teaspoons ghee or 3 teaspoons clarified butter
3 cloves
3 cardamom pods
3 cinnamon sticks
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon black cumin seeds
3 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 pinch saffron thread
1/4 cup milk
1 large onion, peeled sliced and fried (garnish)
1/8 cup cashews, chopped (garnish)
1/8 cup raisins (garnish)
2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered (garnish)
Masala 1
1 large garlic clove
1 (1 inch) fresh ginger, peeled
Masala 2
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
2 teaspoons poppy seeds
12 red chilies
Masala 3
1/2 cup coconut flakes, grated
3 teaspoons cashews, chopped
1/2 cup plain yogurt

Preparation

Place lamb in a bowl, coat with yogurt, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
Begin preparing rice by soaking in water for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Prepare masala 1 by grinding together in a food processor the garlic clove and ginger to a fine paste.
Prepare masala 2 by grinding coriander seeds, fennel seeds and poppy seeds then make a fine paste by adding the red chiles through the feed tube of a food processor followed by the dry ground spices.
Prepare masala 3 by grinding together coconut, cashew nuts and yogurt (in that order) through the feed tube of a running food processor.
To begin cooking the lamb, heat 4 teaspoons ghee in a wok and swirl to coat inside surface. Add 3 cloves, 3 cardamom pods, and 3 cinnamon sticks, and \"toast\" briefly in the wok. Then, add chopped green chiles and onion and fry until mixture turns golden brown (be careful not to burn). Add masala 1 and stir well, cooking for a few minutes. Add masala 2 and stir well, cooking for a few minutes to integrate flavors.
Add the diced tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Transfer marinated lamb to wok and also add cilantro and mint leaves. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, then add 1/2 cup water and salt. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, then stir in masala 3. Cover and cook until the sauce becomes thick.
Heat 3 teaspoons ghee in another wok or saucepan and add cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, bay leaf and cumin seeds, and fry for 1 minute. Add the rice and stir for about 2 to 3 minutes to \"toast\" the rice. Add the 3 1/2 cups water and salt, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and let cook until the water is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. When rice is done, remove from heat and allow to cool.
Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F.
The biryani will be layered in a dish. A 13 by 9-inch ovenproof dish (such as the type used for lasagna) or something similar would be suitable. Divide rice into 3 parts and the lamb mixture into 2 parts. Grease the dish and arrange 5 alternate layers of rice and meat, beginning and ending with rice.
Dissolve the saffron threads in the 1/4 cup milk and spoon it over the top layer of rice. Cover the biryani with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Transfer to a serving plate to reveal layers. Garnish with fried onions, cashew nuts, raisins and hard boiled eggs.