Biryani - Sunder Uncle's Recipe

Sunder Uncle is - my sister from another mother - Hema's Dad. He was one of the sweetest people I knew, and he always treated me like one of his own. He was a total foodie, and an amazing cook. 

From as long as I've known Hema's family, I've celebrated Christmas with them, and Sunder Uncle would usually make the yummiest biryani among other yummy dishes. I'd eat several helpings, and it is to me both comfort food and celebration food all rolled into one. 

This is his recipe, or as close to it as we can remember... when I cooked it today for the first time on a video cook-along with my soul sisters (that includes Hema), it was a load of fun, and an ode to Sunder Uncle and his cooking legacy. I missed him, and also felt so close to him. 

Ingredients 

Oil 1/2 cup or Ghee 1/4 cup + Oil 1/4 cup 

Bay leaves - 3

Star anise - 2

Cinnamon bark - 4 inch sticks

Cloves - 4 

Garlic Ginger paste - 3 tablespoons 

Green chilies - 12 or as per taste 

Onions - 3 sliced 

Basmati / Jeera rice* - 1/2 kg 

Water or Chicken stock - 1 1/2 times volume of rice 

Salt - to taste 

Lime juice - 1/2 

Curds - 2 tablespoons 

Mint leaves - 1/4 cup 

Coriander leaves - 1/4 cup 

Tomatoes - 3 medium sliced 

Chicken/Mutton/Beef* - 1/2 kilo or Vegetables 

*Preparation

• Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes. Drain the rice. Heat some oil in a kadai and 'fry' the rice in the hot oil till there is no water left and the rice is evenly coated with oil.  
• Cook the meat with salt and water. The mutton or beef will need to be cooked in a pressure cooker for 5 whistles. 

Method 

Take a cooker and add oil (and ghee). After heating add cinnamon,cloves, and star anise. Then add the ginger garlic paste and green chilies, stir. Add the sliced onions and fry it until the onions are golden yellow in color. (For the vegetable biryani, add the vegetables at this point and cook till half done.) 

Add the rice, water, bay leaves, and salt to the cooker. Add the lime juice, curds, and coriander and mint leaves; add the tomato. Now add the pre-cooked meat, close the cooker and cook for 2 whistles.