Any Chance of Seconds

Bilkish’s Biryani

Makes for 6 to 8 people
 
Ingredients
• 2 large onions sliced
• 1 lb boneless chicken in 1 inch cubes
• 1 teacup yoghurt
• 200g chopped tin tomatoes
• 2 fresh tomatoes sliced
• 3 teaspoons heaped coriander/cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon red ground chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red flake/crushed chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 11/2 teaspoon salt (To taste)
• 3 medium peeled potatoes & quartered
• 11/2 teacup brown lentils (optional)
• 3 teacup tilda basmati rice
• 3/4 teacup oil (vegetable oil)
Method
 
1. In 1/2 teacup of oil, fry the sliced onions until golden brown and then add the chicken cubes. Cook for 5 minutes until light brown and keep stirring.
2. Add the yoghurt, tin tomatoes, coriander and cumin powder, chilli powder, turmeric and salt and stir well. Cover pot and cook for 30 minutes (on medium to low heat) until the chicken cubes are tender. Add more salt and chilli powder if required.
3. Thereafter, add the sliced tomatoes and cook for further 5 minutes. Ensure there is sufficient sauce and is not too dry (if dry add little yoghurt or tinned tomatoes)
4. Once the chicken mixture is done, leave to cool down.
5. Dip fry the quartered potatoes in oil until light golden brown, remove from oil and leave to cool. 
6. Wash the brown lentils and boil in sufficient water for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender, then drain and cool.
7. Wash rice and cook in salted boiling water until tender but not overcooked. Drain and allow to cool.
8. In a sufficient sized pot, place foil paper covering the inside of the pot.
9. Drizzle 2 tablespoon of oil at the bottom of the pot.
10. Begin to layer, starting with a third of the brown lentils, followed by third of the rice and half of the chicken mixture and half of the fried potatoes.
11. keep repeating the layering (Step 10)and ensure the top layer is covered with rice. 
12. Drizzle the top layer with a quarter teacup of oil and two cups of water, then cover pot and steam on a low heat for 11/2 to 2 hours. 
13. Ensure chicken/ potatoes are fully cooked.
14. When serving, use big serving spoon to remove all layers and place in a serving dish.