This lamb biryani is the winning recipe from our Firstgas lamb recipe competition! With fragrant rice, tender meat and warming spices, all cooked in one pot over the instant heat of gas, this is a dish that feels special yet comforting, perfect for family dinners or sharing with friends.
Ingredients
To make this biryani at home, you will need a few simple but flavourful ingredients which serves four to six people:
- 2 to 3 cups white rice
- 800gm of lamb cubed
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp butter or ghee
- 1 brown onion sliced
- 1 tomato or ½ can chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 cardamom pods
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 3 to 4 tsp medium curry powder
- 2 tsp ginger garlic paste
- Fresh coriander
- 2 potatoes optional
Method
Now comes the fun part, bringing it all together. Here is how you can make this fragrant one pot wonder at home.
Step 1: Cook the rice
Start with the rice as it forms the base of the dish. Boil it gently with salt, a bay leaf, cinnamon, turmeric and cardamom until it is three quarters cooked. Drain it and set aside.
Step 2: Make the curry
Next, heat oil and butter in a large pot and sauté the onion until golden. Sprinkle in your spices along with a few coriander stalks and then stir through the ginger garlic paste. Add the tomato and cook until the sauce thickens and the oil begins to separate.
Step 3: Add the lamb
Now it is time for the star of the dish. Stir in the cubed lamb, cover with boiling water and let it simmer until the meat is tender. If you are using potatoes, add them in once the lamb has started to soften. Cook everything until the curry is glossy and full of rich flavour.
Step 4: Combine and steam
Finally, fold the rice into the curry. Cover the pot with a tight lid and allow it to steam in its own warmth for 10 to 15 minutes. This step lets the rice absorb all the beautiful spices.
Sourced: iStock
To Serve
Once it is ready, fluff up the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh coriander. Each scoop should give you a little of everything: tender lamb, spiced rice, and a burst of warmth from the aromatics.
This lucky winning recipe proves that sometimes chance delivers the very best kind of feast. Why not try it for your next family dinner and see just how comforting and celebratory one pot cooking can be.
