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Originating from the Persian birian, the biryani has evolved into a versatile dish that can be cooked in a simple pressure cooker or as an elaborate layered rice meal cooked on a dum. Along with meats like chicken and mutton, other ingredients can be added to the mix.
The rice is cooked separately while the meat is fried. Then the rice is layered at the bottom, garnished with caramelised onions, and topped with a layer of tender mutton pieces. However, the spices that go into its making as well as the method of cooking it can vary depending upon the region in which it is being made.
From Awadhi to Chettinad, here are a few styles of mutton biryani preparation from across the country that you can make at home.
1. Awadhi Mutton Biryani
Straight from the streets of Lucknow onto your plate, this royal mutton biryani is the best-kept secret of Awadh. Here, long-grained basmati rice is parboiled and layered, after which mutton is carefully placed and the entire pot is slow-cooked on dum. The aromatic rice and meat are then served hot with a bowl of raita.
2. Malabar Mutton Biryani
The coastal cuisine of Malabar, located in Kerala, is a hearty combination of coconut-based curries, biryanis, and a vast seafood fare. The mutton biryani made here is rich and delicious, combining a special mutton masala made with onions, ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes, curd, spices, and ghee-laden rice. Served with pickle, poppadum, and curd, this biryani is a must-have.
3. Kolkata Mutton Biryani
No conversation about biryani can be complete without a mention of the special Kolkata-style recipe. The highlight of a Kolkata biryani is the addition of potatoes, along with meat and spices. The saffron-flavoured rice is paired with tender and succulent pieces of mutton, along with diced and fried potatoes that appear in every bite.
4. Hyderabadi Mutton Biryani
Without a doubt, the classic dum biryani belongs to Hyderabad. The land of Nizams is known for its rich heritage and cuisine. This mutton biryani is also a part of it. The mutton is cooked with whole spices like green cardamom, black cardamom, black pepper, nutmeg, mace, cloves, and star anise, as well as onions, ginger-garlic paste, and green chillies. The juicy mutton is paired with sour curd and dunked in long grains of rice to be made into an aromatic biryani.
5. Chettinad Mutton Biryani
Coming from one of the spiciest cuisines in the world, Chettinad is a region in Tamil Nadu that is known for its hot and fiery flavours. If their cuisine is this good, we know what to expect from their biryani. The yummy biryani is made with aromatic rice and flavourful mutton. Curry leaves, fennel, green chillies, turmeric powder, and red chillies are some of the top ingredients of the masala.
