Ambur Star Biryani Secret Recipe

Ambur Star Biryani is a well-liked biryani from South India, and for good reason. The secret recipe for Ambur Star Biryani is as follows:

Ambur Star Biryani Ingredients:

Marinating the Meat:

• 500g chicken or mutton, cut into pieces
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste

the Rice:

• 2 cups Basmati rice, washed and soaked for 30 minutes
• 4-5 cups water for boiling the rice
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 4-5 cloves
• 2-3 cardamom pods
• 1-2 cinnamon sticks
• Salt to taste

Ambur Star Biryani Masala:

• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green chillies, chopped
• 1/2 cup mint leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup coriander leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup fried onions (for garnishing)
• 1/4 cup ghee or oil
• 1 teaspoon biryani masala powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
• Salt to taste

Instructions to make Ambur Star Biryani:

1. Marinating the Meat:
   • In a bowl, mix the meat with yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and salt.
   • Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Cooking the Rice:
   • Boil the soaked Basmati rice in water along with bay leaves, cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and salt until the rice is 70% cooked.
   • Drain the water and set aside.
3. Preparing Biryani Masala:
   • In a large pan, heat ghee or oil. Add thinly sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.
   • Add chopped tomatoes and green chillies. Cook until the tomatoes are soft.
   • Add biryani masala powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and salt. Mix well.
   • Add marinated meat and cook until the meat is partially cooked.
4. Layering the Biryani:
   • In a heavy-bottomed pan or biryani pot, spread a layer of partially cooked meat.
   • Add a layer of 30% cooked rice on top of the meat.
   • Sprinkle chopped mint leaves, coriander leaves, and fried onions.
   • Repeat the layers until both rice and meat are used up, finishing with a layer of rice on top.
5. Dum Cooking:
   • Sprinkle biryani masala powder, ghee, and fried onions on top.
   • Cover the pot tightly with a lid or aluminium foil to trap the steam.
   • Cook on low heat for about 20-25 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the flavours are well absorbed.
6. Serve:
   • Gently fluff the biryani with a fork.
   • Serve hot with raita, salad, or a side of your choice.

Enjoy your delicious Ambur Star Biryani!