One pot week night meal, ready in 30 mins that is sure to impress your guests, family and yourself!
If you were trapped on an island with only one dish to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be? For me, that’s easily Biryani. The aromatic basmati rice, mixed with all the earthy spices and cooked to perfection simply cannot be beat. Every region seems to have their own “biryani”, take for example Paella with the Spanish or Jollof Rice from the Nigerians. So it’s fair to say, rice mixed with spices and meats makes for one heck of a delicious meal.
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups aged, long grain basmati rice
1/2 cup avocado oil
1 medium red onion thinly sliced
2 small (or 1 large) bay leaves
1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns
1 2-inch piece cinnamon stick
1 small black cardamom optional
5 whole cloves
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp coriander seeds crushed
1.5 cups water
(Optional) 3/4 cup cut vegetables (I used frozen carrots and peas, but highly recommend chopped cauliflower, green beans and/or potatoes as well)
Marinade:
2 lb cubed stew beef (I used extra lean but you can use any, including lamb)
1 cup full fat yogurt
1 tbsp red chili powder (cayenne)
2 tsp turmeric
4 cloves garlic crushed
3/4 inch piece ginger crushed
1 cup of chopped cilantro and mint
2 tbsp garam masala
2 tbsp cumin powder
2 tbsp coriander powder
2 tbsp shan biryani powder (optional but highly recommended, it can be found in any Indian grocery store)
2 green chili peppers whole or split in half (optional) 2 ¼ tsp kosher salt divided (or to taste)
*Key – rinse out the rice a few times and soak in water till ready to cook. This removes the extra starch from the rice and helps get the fluffy texture*
Instructions:
1) Add all ingredients under Marinade except half cilantro/mint and mix thoroughly, refrigerate for atleast 30 mins or more. The longer you refrigerate the more tender and flavorful your meat will turn out.
2) Turn your Instant Pot on to Saute function and add in oil and onions. You will fry these until they caramelize to a brown color. Watch closely, they do burn easily. This should take roughly 20 mins.
3) Remove half of your fried onions. While still on Saute add in the entirety of the marinated beef, the whole spices, along with 1 cup of water.
4) Set to Pressure cook on High for 12 mins
5) Manually release and add in soaked rice + remainder of the water + vegetables ( if using). Do not mix in the rice, flatten it out so it is immersed in the water.
6) Set to Pressure cook on High for 5 mins
7) Let release on it’s on own for about 10 mins. Add in remainder of fried onions and remainder of chopped cilantro/mint. Combine and add extra salt if necessary. Serve over freshly squeezed lemon juice
Bon Appetit! How did this turn out for you? Leave comments below 🙂
Ankitha Gadag Recipes 