Guilt free Prawn biriyani

Prawn biriyani is an indian dish. It is prepared in different ways in different parts of india. Usually a large amount of ghee is added in biriyani. However I have come up with a recipe without using any ghee. I would like to share it with you people. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cup basmati rice
a big bunch of coriander leaves
1 medium tomato
3 medium onions sliced thin
1 tbsp ginger garlic paste(take equal amounts of ginger and garlic. Grind it to form a paste)
1 tbsp kashmiri chilli powder(If you are using normal chilli powder, use 1/2 tbsp)
1 tbsp turmeric powder
1 1/4 tbsp coriander powder
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tbsp garam masala
2-3 small cinnamon sticks
3-4 cardamoms roasted
4-6 cloves
1 bayleaf flower oil
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp saffron strands
3 tbsp warm milk
Salt (to taste)

For Garam masala (You will require only 1tbs )
•4 tbsps coriander seeds
•1 tbsp cumin seeds
•1 tbsp black peppercorns
•1 ½ tsps black cumin seeds (shahjeera)
•1 ½ tsps dry ginger
•¾ tsp black cardamom (3-4 large pods approx)
•¾ tsp cloves
•¾ tsp cinnamon (2 X 1” pieces)
•¾ tsp crushed bay leaves

Instructions:

1. Wash the rice. Soak it in warm water for 30 minutes.
2. Boil water in a thick-bottom pot. When it begins to boil, add some salt, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, cloves and bay leaves. Boil the rice in this water. When the rice is done, drain remaining water (if any) and keep it aside.

3. Heat a griddle or flat pan on a medium flame and gently roast all ingredients mentioned under "For garam masala" till they start to become slightly darker and give off a faint aroma. Peel the cardamom pods and remove seeds. Throw skins away. Now grind all the roasted ingredients to a fine powder in a clean, dry coffee grinder.
4. Marinate prawns in a quarter tsp of turmeric powder and a pinch of salt.  Heat the vegetable oil in a non-stick pan . Add  sliced onion. As we are using only 1 tbsp of oil, cook the onion in low flame.
5. When the onion becomes brown, add the chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and salt.

6. Now add the tomatoes and fry till soft.
7. Add 1 1/2 cups of water to this. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. You may add some coriander leaves at this stage. Donot use up all the coriander leaves as you will require some later.

8. Add the marinated prawns and let it cook for 4-5 minutes. Add pepper and 1/2 tbsp garam masala. Your biriyani masala is ready.
9. Soak the saffron strands in 2-3 tbsps of warm milk.

10.Take a large, deep Thick bottom vessel (it MUST have its own cover). Layer the rice and prawn as follows: prawn - rice-prawn-rice. End with a layer of rice.
11.Pour the saffron infused milk all over the top of the last layer of rice. Garnish with chopped corainder leaves. Cover the dish and seal tightly.
12.Cook on low fire for 20 minutes.
13.Your prawn biriyani is ready. You can serve your favorite raita and green salad with it.