Prawns Biryani / Shrimp Biryani /Chemmeen Biryani

Ingredients:-

For Rice:-

Basmati Rice-4 cups
Cinnamon Stick-2 nos
Bay leaf-1 nos
Cloves-3 nos
Cardamom-3 nos
Star anise-1 nos
Salt to taste



For marination :-

Shrimp-1 1/2 lb more or less
Red chilli powder-3/4 tsp
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Ginger-garlic paste-2 tsp
Salt to taste

For the Masala:-

Cinnamon stick-1 no
Cardamom -1 no
Cloves01 no
Bay leaves-2 nos
Onions-3 to 4 nos (chopped)
Tomato-2 nos (chopped)
Mint leaves-1/2 cup
Coriander Leaves-1/2 cup
Green Chillies-3 nos
Ginger/garlic paste-2 tbsp
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Plain Yogurt-1/2 cup
Coconut milk-1 1/2 cup
Red Chilli powder-2 tsp
Any Biryani Masala-3 tbsp (i used shaan)
Salt to taste
Oil-3 tbsp
Food color red and yellow


Method:-

Marinating and Frying Shrimp:-

Peel the shrimp,wash and squeeze all the water from the shrimp.

Marinate it with the chili powder,turmeric powder,ginger/garlic paste and salt mix well.Keep aside for 1 hour.
Heat oil in a pan add the marinated shrimp for 5 to6 minutes (this is optional,you can either fry the shrimp and add it,or you can directly add it to the gravy) and drain.keep it aside.

Cooking the Rice :-

Wash and Soak the basmati rice for at-least 30 minutes and drain well

In a big pot bring water to a boil,add all the spices for boiling rice,salt and mix well.

Add rice and cook for 2 1/2 minutes,one good boil,I.e rice should roll over with boiling water.
Cook till 70% done.Drain the rice and set aside.

Making Masala /Gravy:-



In a same pan add oil and add all dry whole spices fry for till the aroma comes,add green chillies,mint leaves and coriander leaves fry for 4 minutes .

Now add the onions to the pan and saute on medium heat till it starts getting brown color add ginger/garlic paste fry for 5 minutes.

Add the tomatoes ,salt ,turmeric powder mix well.Cook till the tomato get cooked and everything comes together.

Add red chillies powder and biryani masala fry for 5 minutes.

Add curd and mix well.Then add coconut milk and when it begins to boil,add the fried shrimps in to that and boil for few minutes.Let the masala turn thick.Check the salt ad spicy .Remove from fire.

Layering the Biryani:-

Now take a baking dish .Spread a layer of rice in the bottom and the masala on the top.Arrange complete rice and the masala in layer..Food color water.Cover it with an aluminum foil.You can add fried onions,roasted cashew nuts,coriander leaves and mint leaves in between layers

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees and bake this for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes take out the baking pan once mix everything close the foil.Back again for 20 minutes.

On stove top arrange it in a vessel,cover it with a lid and keep it on top of a heavy tawa and heat it for 25 to 30 minutes.

Serve with raita...