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Showing posts with label recipe blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipe blog. Show all posts

Friday, May 12, 2017

Butter Chicken Biryani

At first, I thought it to be a fluke. But now I am pretty sure that as Friday arrives, the withdrawal symptoms kick in. And before your imagination runs wild, I need to clarify that it is Biryani that I have on my mind. Maybe it is a psychological thing, but after slaving in the gym throughout the week, one tends to take it easy and indulge in a treat over the weekends.

When it comes to Biryani, I love experimenting with various ingredients and cooking styles. So while lots of folks may swear by a particular variety, I crave for a new variety everytime a visit a restaurant or outlet.

The Butter Chicken Biryani had been on my mind (and in the drafts) for sometime but with travel and a few things taking up my attention over the last few months, I had not been able to try it out. And I had almost forgotten about it but fate has a strange way of tempting one. Over a family lunch during the last weekend, one of my husband's cousin brought it up. The trigger was my special 'Zero Oil Butter Chicken' which has by now garnered quite a following . The conversation had it's effect on me and the  right combination of ingredients for the Butter Chicken Biryani was the last thing on my mind as I went to bed that night !

Now Butter Chicken is a relatively easy dish and does not require much effort if you take care to marinate it for sufficient time. I first prepared a batch of creamy butter chicken and then cooked the biryani using the 'dum' method which infuses the rice with the flavors of the chicken and the spices without coating each individual grain in a layer of masala. We like Biryani to be mildly spiced unless there are guests who prefer it otherwise.

Read on for the recipe -

















Preparation Time - 1 hour

For marination -


  • 300 gm chicken pieces
  • 4 tbsp thick yogurt
  • 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 7-8 almonds ( 7-8 nos )
  • 2 green cardamon
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 inch cinnamon
  • 2 bay leaf
  • 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
  • 2 medium sized tomatoes
  • 2 pinch turmeric ( a pinch )
  • salt to taste

For cooking Butter Chicken :


  • 4-5 crushed garlic cloves
  • 1 large onion (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp chilli powder
  • 1 inch cube cooking butter
  • 2 tsp oil ( 1 tsp )
  • 1/5 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp kasuri methi 
  • 2 tsp honey 
  • salt


For the Biryani -


  • 2 cups of Basmati rice
  • 1/3 cup browned onion rings
  • 1/2 cup saffron infused milk
  • 2 tsp kasuri methi
  • finely chopped coriander leaves
  • 2-3 tsp slightly melted butter 


Preparation: Rub salt and turmeric on the chicken pieces and keep aside for 10 mins.

Grind the whole spices, almonds and tomatoes into a smooth paste. Add yogurt, chili powder, turmeric, ginger-garlic paste and blend for 5 secs. The marinade is now ready.

Transfer the chicken pieces to a large bowl. Pour the paste into the bowl and mix well. Keep aside for 1 hour.

Wash and soak the Basmati rice for 30 mins

Cooking: Heat the oil and cooking butter in a wok. Add the chopped onions and crushed garlic .Fry for 3-4 mins till the sides start turning brown.

Add the contents of the marination bowl. Stir fry for 10 mins. Rub the kasuri methi between your palms and add to the chicken along with 1 cup water. Simmer for 2 mins.

Remove from the stove and add the cream and the honey. Stir continuously for 2-3 mins. Allow to simmer for 5-6 mins or till the chicken is done.

While the chicken is cooking, bring water to boil in a large pan. Once it starts to bubble add the salt.

Strain the rice and add it to the boiling water. Let it cook till 75 percent done ( read the cooking duration mentioned on the packet which will give an idea ). Drain all the water.

Take a thick bottomed pot and rub butter on it's bottom and the sides. Take one third of the butter chicken and make the bottom layer. Spread one third of the rice and spread over it. Sprinkle some kasuri methi, browned onion, melted butter and a little milk.

Repeat this process with the remaining chicken and rice till you get six alternate layers of chicken and rice. Seal the vessel with a heavy lid and aluminium foil. Let it sit on a very low flame for 20 mins.

Remove and let it stand for 10-15 mins before opening.

Serve hot with raita.









Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Biryani Arancini with Burrani Dip ( Indo-Intalian fusion )

IMP - This i an original recipe created by the blogger and has been published for the first time on Oriyarasoi. 

The crafty Italians make Arancini from any leftover risotto. Makes complete sense given that the risotto itself is a labor of one's love. Throwing away such deliciousness is sheer criminal offence. So, shouldn't we take a cue from these people and give a makeover to one of India's most loved dishes. The biryani is something that takes much time and effort so there is no reason why any excess should be disposed off in an disrespectful fashion.

Hence was born the 'Biryani arancini'! A dish so delicious that it would win the approval of the Italians itself. After the superb success of the savory Panna cotta in three typical Indian flavors, I have added yet another signature dish to my name. Mama mia !! I should have been born an Italian . Or at least married one. On second thoughts, I am happy that the second option did not materialize. Coz the Italian MIL could purportedly given a run to her Indian counterpart when it comes to the 'saas-bahu' melodrama bit. Gawd !!!

But coming back to the recipe, the Biryani arancini is simple to prepare. Since it is already loaded with beautifully aromatic spices, it does not require any additional spices. It is just needs to be shaped into balls, dipped in egg wash and rolled in bread crumbs before being dunked into hot oil. And instead of serving it with Arrabiata that usually goes with the crunchy Arancini balls, just whip up a pretty elementary but incredibly flavorsome Burrani dip ( inspired by the Burrani raita ofcourse ).  A win-win situation !!

Read on for the recipe -















Preparation Time - 15-20 mins

Ingredients -

For the arancini -

  • 2 cups chicken biryani
  • 1 egg 
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 cup grated mozarella 
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 pinch salt 
  • 8-10 peppercorns ( freshly ground )
  • oil for deep frying


For the Burani Dip -

  • 1 cup greek yogurt
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 pinch roasted cumin
  • 2 pinch red chili powder (optional)
  • black salt 
  • 1/2 tsp sugar

Preparation - Remove any bones from the chicken pieces and shred them into smaller bits. 

If any whole spices (like cardamom, bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, etc) are present in the rice, they too need to be removed.

Break the egg into a bowl, add the salt and beat it gently.

Take the rice in a mixing bowl. Add the mozzarella and half of the beaten egg. Mix together. 

Scoop out small amounts of the rice mixture, press into a compact mass and shape into balls. 

Roll each ball in the flour, then dunk into the egg wash ( add the powdered peppercorn to it before doing so ) and finally roll over the bread crumbs to form a uniform layer.

Repeat the same process with the remaining rice mixture.

To make the dip, take all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix together. Let it stand for 15-20 mins for the garlic flavor to infuse into the yogurt. 

Pass the yogurt through a sieve to make a smooth creamy dip.

Cooking - Heat the oil and gently place 2-3 arancini balls in it at a time to prevent overcrowding and to allow the balls to cook uniformly.

Cook on medium flame for about 4 minutes each. A crunchy brown layer should form all over.

Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to absorb the excess oil.







































Serve immediately with the Bhoorani dip.



Sunday, April 9, 2017

Blueberry and Mango Iced Tea

The scorching summers are tough for tea addicts like me ! We want our favorite brew and then end up feeling hot after a cup or two. Drinking the regular variety holds no charm if it is no longer steaming. So, the best solution is to go for iced ones with or without some kind of fruit in it.

While I do love the lemon iced tea that they used to serve at CCD, i prefer making my own brew these days. There is no harm in pampering oneself, isn't it ? I love to have mine in a tall glass while being propped up on a comfy sofa and flipping through a book. Or still better with a couple of friends.

There are just endless options of the things you can add to the iced teas. But my favorite turns out to be the kind of summer fruits. Yes, it is the mango which I love to infuse into my cold tea. Along with a couple of blueberries to amp up the charm. Wont u love to try some ? It is a pretty simple one too !!

Read on for the recipe -





















Ingredients -

  • 1 tsp tea leaves ( enough for 2 ppl )
  • 300 ml mango juice
  • sugar syrup as per taste
  • chopped mangoes
  • blueberries ( use fresh if available )
  • ice cubes 

Preparation - Steep the tea leaves along with 2 cups of water for 4-5 mins in a glass kettle .  Drain carefully into a flask and pop it into the fridge.

Once the tea is cool, remove the flask from the fridge.

Assembly - Pour some mango juice and sugar syrup into the glasses. Top it with the chilled tea.

Garnish with the mango cubes, blueberries and ice cubes.

Serve immediately.





Sunday, June 24, 2012

Chittau Pitha

Made with rice and coconut, the Chittau pitha is a beautifully perforated dish from Odisha that reminds one of the appams. The usage of black lentil is optional though with some people avoiding it altogether. If black lentil is added it is called ' Biri Chittau'.  Addition of black lentil can also be avoided during the summers or in a hot climate as itcauses rapid fermentation and makes the batter sour.






Cooking Time Required: 30-35 mins

Ingredients: Raw rice/ arua ( 4 cups ), coconut ( 1 no ), salt to taste, oil for cooking.


Preparation: Wash and soak the rice for 4-5 hours. Drain and transfer to the mixie jar.

Break the coconut and cut into small pieces.

Add the coconut pieces to the same mixie jar. Grind into a fine and watery paste.


Keep aside for 2-3 hours to allow for fermentation in hot weather. 5-6 hours is needed for cold weather.


Cooking: Heat a thick bottomed wok ( kadai ). Add a little oil .


Add salt to the batter and mix well. Pour sufficient batter into the wok to form a

thick pancake.


















Cover with a lid. Take a wet cloth and put around the rim of the lid.( OR sprinkle

water along the sides of the wok )



















Allow to cook on a low flame for 5-6 minutes ( Do not flip over ).



















Remove from the wok.


Note: Chitta pitha is cooked on one side only and remains soft on the other side. Its

distinguishing feature is the presence of tiny holes all over its surface.
















Any guesses as to the best way of devouring these piping hot beauties ???









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