Bitta Better Biryani

Ingredients

2 ½ cups basmati rice (about 500 g)
4 small onions, thinly sliced (about 500 g)
Oil for frying
1 tbsp ginger, minced
1 tbsp garlic, minced
2 cinnamon sticks
1 bay leaf
5 cardamoms
10 cloves
Green chilies, to taste
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp paprika or chili powder
½ tsp turmeric
¼ cup water
2 tomatoes, diced (about 240 g)
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup plain yogurt (120 g)
¼ of the fried onions
Fresh coriander and mint leaves
1 tbsp salt (for boiling rice)
6 cardamoms
8 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp reserved onion oil
A Pinch of saffron or saffron coloring
30g butter slices

Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice well, then soak it in water for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, slice the onions and fry them in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Set them aside on paper towels.
3. In the same pan, sauté ginger, garlic, cinnamon, bay leaf, cardamoms, and cloves.
4. Add green chilies, cumin, coriander, paprika, and turmeric. Mix well.
5. Pour in water, then add the diced tomatoes, salt, and yogurt.
6. Stir in a portion of the fried onions, cover, and let it simmer on low for 10 minutes.
7. In another pot, boil water with salt, cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, and a little onion oil. Add the soaked rice and cook for 10 minutes.
8. Now layer: herbs, half the rice, fried onions, sauce, herbs again, the rest of the rice, saffron, fried onions, more herbs, and butter slices.
9. Cover and steam on low heat for 30 minutes.
10. Finally, garnish with fresh herbs, fluff the rice, and serve with salad, chutney, or your favourite protein.