Beef biryani

I rarely cook beef at home and this is my first beef biryani that turned out really awesome...yeahhh!! Most of them in our family won't eat beef and when I say to my cousins that I cook beef or I had beef at some restaurant.. they are always like WHAT!! Do you eat beef !?! :O My family has settled in kerala since long long ago.. Our eating habits are mixture of both..'The exceptional case' :P But my husband who is from tamilnadu eats beef...don't know whether it is before or after marriage..
He eats....that's all I want !! Thank god..  'We are made for each other in FOOD'  :D

Yields : 5-6 servings

Ingredients :

1. Beef- 450 g diced
2. Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
3. Pepper powder- 1/2 tsp
4. Garam masala- 1/4 tsp
5. Salt- to taste

For masala:
1. Onions- 3 medium sliced and halved
2. Tomato- 1 medium
3. Ginger-garlic paste- 1 tsp
4. Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
5. Coriander powder- 2 tsp
6. Chilly powder- 3/4 tsp
7. Garam masala- 1 1/2 tsp
8. Pepper powder- 1/2 tsp
9. Coriander leaves- 1/4 cup chopped
10. Mint leaves- 1/4 cup chopped
11. Coconut oil- 3 tbsp
12. Curry leaves- 1 sprig
13. Salt- to taste

For rice:
1. Basmati rice- 2 cups washed and soak in water for 20 mins
2. Ghee- 2tsp
3. Cinnamon- 1 inch piece
4. Cloves- 5-6
5. Cardamom- 4-5
6. Salt- to taste
7. Water- 6-7 cups for draining method

To garnish (deep fry and keep aside on a paper towel) :
1. Onions- 1.5 cup thinly sliced
2. Cashews- 10-12
3. Carrot- 1 cup thinly sliced in 1 inch
4. Coriander leaves- 1- 1.5 cup chopped

Method:
 Beef  :
1. Pressure cook the beef pieces with turmeric powder, pepper powder, garam masala and salt for 2-3 whistles with 1-2 tbsp of water if needed.
2. When pressure releases, check if all the water is evaporated. If not, cook the beef pieces until it becomes dry with lid open.
3. Cut the beef into small pieces and keep aside.

Rice :
1. Place a deep pan on the stove.
2. Boil water and add all the spices, salt and ghee.
3. Add the soaked rice and cook till perfect consistency and drain. Keep aside.

Masala :
1. Heat oil in a pan. Add curry leaves and onions. Saute them well till it turns golden.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute until raw smell goes.
3. Add tomato, saute till it becomes tender and juicy.
4. Add all the spice powders and required salt (remember we have added salt in beef and rice too). Saute for a min.
5. Add chopped coriander and mint. Saute for a min.
6. Add the beef pieces and 3/4-1 cup of hot water.
7. Let it cook until the beef pieces are completely coated with masala. Water has to evaporate completely.

Layering :
1. Take out 3/4th of beef masala on a plate.
2. Sprinkle all the fried items under 'garnish' and top with a layer of rice
3. Repeat the same with beef masala, garnishing items and rice.
4. Add some ghee to the topmost layer at last.
In the end it looks like this :

4. Cover with a lid and place this vessel on a tawa with medium low heat on stove.
5. Let it be there for 5-6 mins. Switch off the flame.
6. Mix well before serving.

Yum yum biryani is ready !! :) Have this delicious biryani with pickle, raita or pappad. :D