Kathal (jackfruit) Biryani

Kathal (jackfruit) Biryani

Recipe by Mudita BhageriaCourse: MainCuisine: NorthindianDifficulty: Medium
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes

This recipe is great for both vegetarians and meat eaters, because the taste of the jackfruit is similar to that of meat! However, this recipe does require a fair amount of pre preparation.

Ingredients

  • ½ lb fresh kathal (green jackfruit) cut into small 1 inch squares (can used canned if fresh is not available)

  • 1 ½ cup basmati rice, soaked for ½ an hour and drained

  • Salt to taste

  • 3 black cardamom

  • 4 green cardamom

  • 2 inch cinnamon stick

  • 3 to 4 cloves

  • 2 star anises

  • Oil to fry

  • 4 medium onions, sliced

  • 3 medium tomatoes, finely chopped

  • 1 ½ cup whisk yogurt

  • 4 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)

  • 1 tsp turmeric

  • 1 tsp red chilli powder

  • 1 tsp coriander powder

  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger

  • 1 tbsp minced garlic

  • 1 tsp jeera (cumin)

  • 1 tsp cumin powder

  • For garnish

  • 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves

  • 2 tsp garam masala

  • ½ cup mint leaves

  • ¼ cup milk with saffron

Directions

  • Biryani Mix
  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • First, take a sharp knife, and put oil on your hand and on the knife to prevent the jackfruit from sticking and cut it into small pieces.
  • Then, take a fry pan, heat oil, and fry the kathal (alternately you can shallow fry), and keep aside.
  • Deep fry half the onions and keep aside.
  • Remove the excess oil, add 2 tbsp ghee & cumin seeds and wait until crackling. Add 2 green cardamoms, 2 black cardamoms, star anise, 2 cloves and a 1 inch cinnamon stick.
  • Now, add the remaining onions and saute for about 2 -3 minutes. Add ginger & garlic and stir for about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and stir for about 2 minutes on medium heat. Add fried kathal.
  • Add salt to taste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and yogurt and mix for about 2 minutes and keep aside.
  • RICE
  • Take 6 cups of water to a big pot and put at medium heat, and wait till the water starts boiling.
  • Add 2 green cardamoms, 1 black cardamom, 1 inch cinnamon stick, cloves, salt, and rice. Add a little oil so that the rice does not stick.
  • When the rice is halfway boiled, drain the water and put it under cold running water.
  • Take the milk and add saffron, then stir and keep aside.
  • BIRYANI
  • Take an ovenproof baking dish and apply ghee to the bottom and the sides.
  • Add half the biryani mix prepared in step 1.
  • Add a layer of half the rice.
  • Add garam masala, saffron milk, and mint leaves on top.
  • Add a layer of the remaining biryani mix.
  • Add another layer of the remaining rice.
  • Add fried onion to the top.
  • Put aluminum foil on top and wrap it well.
  • Put it in the oven for about 20 minutes.
  • Ready, serve hot with raita.
  • Enjoy!

Notes