Traditional baby potato biryani
Saffron rice baked over baby potatoes in a poppy-seed and aniseed masala
A traditional vegetarian biryani with whole baby potatoes cooked in a fragrant paste of onion, coriander seeds, poppy seeds, aniseed and warm spices, layered with saffron rice and crisp browned onions, then slowly baked. Serve hot with masala yogurt.
- Total time
- 85 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 10
Ingredients
For the rice
- 6 oz basmati rice1 cup, soaked and boiled
- ½ tsp saffron powder
- 2 tbsp milkwarm
- ½ tsp saltor to taste
For the paste
- 3 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 ½ tsp garlic paste
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp green chilli paste
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 2 tbsp poppy seeds
- 2 tsp aniseed (fennel seeds)
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp water
- ½ tsp salt
For the potato gravy
- 10 ½ oz baby potatoessteamed and peeled
- 4 tbsp ghee or oil
- 1 cup plain yogurt1 cup
- ½ tsp saltor to taste
For the topping
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Method
0/8 doneStep 1: Stir ½ tsp saffron powder into 2 tbsp milk and mix gently through the 6 oz basmati rice with ½ tsp salt.
Step 2: Blend 3 medium onions, 3 tsp coriander seeds, 1 ½ tsp garlic paste, 1 tsp ginger paste, 1 tsp green chilli paste, 1 tsp cumin seeds, ½ tsp ground cloves, 8 curry leaves, 2 tbsp poppy seeds, 2 tsp aniseed (fennel seeds), ¾ tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground black pepper, 2 tbsp water and ½ tsp salt to a paste.
Step 3: Heat 4 tbsp ghee or oil, add 4 green cardamoms and fry the paste for 4 minutes.
4 minStep 4: Add 1 cup plain yogurt and ½ tsp salt, then the 10 ½ oz baby potatoes, and cook for 5 minutes.
5 minStep 5: Sprinkle half the 2 onions, sliced and fried brown in a greased oven dish and spread half the rice over them.
Step 6: Spread the potato curry evenly on top and cover with the remaining rice.
Step 7: Garnish with the rest of the browned onions and 1 cup potato chips (crisps), fried.
Step 8: Cover with foil and bake on a low heat, 200°F, for 30 minutes. Serve hot with masala yogurt.
30 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 260 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does traditional baby potato biryani take?
- About 85 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 10 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of basmati rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of milk?
- Oat, soy or almond milk, same amount (use unsweetened for savoury dishes).
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