It’s been 1 whole week since I have not used my Clay Pot and I am missing it already 😛 and I’m sure my clay pot too is missing me. So this time I am going to prepare the authentic Clay Pot/ Matka Biryani 😀 We all know that Biryani is the MOST POPULAR dish in India and in fact it’s everyone’s favorite dish too. Every state in fact even every house has it’s own version of Biryani. Many of you must have eaten that “Matka/ Clay pot Biryani” which is generally served in many restaurants. But I’m not sure whether they cook biryani in clay pot only or they just serve in it. Whatever it is, looks inviting and tempting.

This chicken biryani is nothing different than what I always prepare BUT the flavor of clay pot makes the biryani so delicious and special. This is a MUST MUST MUST try recipe for all the Biryani lovers. Do try and don’t forget to tell me the feedback. 🙂

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

For Rice

• 1 Cup basmati rice
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 Tsp cumin seeds
• 2 Green cardamoms
• 2 Cloves
• Salt as required

For Marination

• 350gms chicken
• 1/2 Cup thick yogurt
• 1 Tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 Tbsp mint-coriander chutney (optional)
• 1 Tbsp Tandoori masala
• 1 Tbsp red chili powder
• 1 Tsp turmeric powder
• 1 Tsp coriander masala
• 1 Tsp cumin powder
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• Salt as required

For Gravy

• 2 Tbsp ghee
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 1 Tsp fennel seeds
• 1 Tsp cumin seeds
• 1 Tsp black pepper corns
• 1 Star anise
• 2-3 Cloves
• 1 Tsp red chili powder
• 1 Tbsp biryani masala
• 1 Medium onion finely sliced
• 2 Green chili
• 1/4 Cup hopped coriander leaves
• 1/4 Cup fried onion
• Kewra water

Learn Step By Step Recipe With Pictures For Clay Pot Chicken Biryani

Recipe:

Step 1- Marinate chicken with all the spices mentioned in marination section and keep in fridge for 5-6hrs

Step 2- Wash and soak rice for 30mins. Boil 3 cups of water adding whole spices and salt as required. When the water comes to a boil add rice and cook until 80% done and the remove the excess water. Keep aside and let the rice cool

Step 3- Heat the clap pot on high flame and when it’s hot turn the flame to medium. Heat 2tbsp ghee in it. Meanwhile take bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cloves, green cardamom, start anise, cumin seeds and fennel seeds in a mortar and crush a little. Add the crushed whole spices to the ghee

You can even use the whole spices as it is. I like it this way 😀 It gives extra taste to the biryani. Sauté the spices for 15-20secs

Step 4- Add sliced onions and fry till translucent and soft and then add the marinated chicken. Mix well and fry until half done

Step 5- Add red chili powder, biryani masala, green chilies and required salt. Mix well and fry the masala. Cover the lid and cook the chicken until done

Once it’s done take out the gravy in a bowl. We will add the gravy while layering the rice

Step 6- Add some chopped mint-coriander leaves and layer with some rice. Spread 1/2 cup gravy and again add mint-corinader leaves

Add the remaining rice and add the remaining gravy. Spread some mint-coriander leaves and fried onions on the top, place 1-2 boiled eggs (optional). Add few drops of kewra water to give a nice flavor and aroma

Step 7- Cover the lid of the pot and seal with dough. Heat a tawa and put the clay pot and let it dum on low heat for 15-18mins. And the beautiful, flavorful steaming hot biryani is ready

Serve hot with cucumber raita and some salad.

It was a lazy day and too healthy meals I had today. Enough of those boring salads. 😛 I was just lying on the couch and thinking about what to prepare for dinner.Huh! AND as it was Friday so I had to prepare something yummy for my tummy. 😀 Suddenly the pomfret fry came to my mind and also the store is near to my apartment so without thinking and any delay we went for a walk till the store of course, picked pomfret and came.

This is so yummy, melt in mouth fish fry and the most comfort food for you lazy days. Just marinade the fish with some spices and then pan fry it. TaDa…It’s ready. 🙂

Yields 2

Ingredients:

• 2 Pomfret fish
• 1 Tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 Tbsp mustard paste
• 1 Tbsp cumin-coriander powder
•  1 Tsp black pepper powder
• 1 Tbsp red chili powder/ or as required
• 1 Tsp turmeric powder
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• Salt as required
• 2-3 Tbsp coconut oil/ cooking oil

Learn Step By Step Recipe With Pictures For Pomfret Fish Fry

Step 1- Take all the spices in a bowl and add lemon juice, salt and mix well. Take pomfret fish and make small slits both the sides to allow spices to stuff. Now marinade the pomfret fish the spice mixture well and stuff the masala in the slits too

Leave the marinated fish for 10-15mins

Step 2- Heat oil in a pan/tawa and cook the pomfret fish on medium flame from both the sides until golden brown and cooked

Your Pomfret Fish Fry is ready. Serve hot with some lemon wedges and onion rings and enjoy the delicious meal 🙂