Tandoori Masala Briyani

I came across of tandoori masala powder in Haniffa store and bought it on impulse ☺️. Back home the masala took place in my pantry shelf till one fine Sunday i made a decision to put them for a good use and that's how i came up with my very own tandoori masala briyani. Yes! U heard me rite...today's recepi no usage of usual briyani masala powder. Don't het taken aback with the vibrant colur of the rice which, contributed by the tandoori masala powder. Thanks to the Kashmiri chilly powder added in the masala.

The briyani rice itself full of flavour and each grain coated well with the delicious masala. Mild spiciness,fragrant spices and beautiful colur is a crowd puller. This is definitely "one of a kind" briyani for a perfect Sunday lunch. I used prawns for my briyani other than prawns, squids,chicken,mutton or fish goes well too. Serve with raita and yoy are good to go.

To Marinate

1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 kg prawns, cleaned & deveined
1 tbsp garlic paste
1/4 cup fried onion
6 black peppercorns
3 cardamoms
3 cloves
1/2" inch cinnamon stick
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 pcs mace
3 pcs green chillies,slitted
1 tbsp ginger paste
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tbsp Kashmiri chilly powder

1 tbsp tandoori masala powder
4 tbsp lemon juice
Salt to taste
1 tbsp oil

For Prawns

1 large tomato, sliced
1 large onion, sliced
4 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
2 tbsp chopped mint leaves
2 1/2 tbsp oil

For Rice

2 cups Basmathi rice, washed and soaked for 30 minutes

2 tbsp ghee
1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1 1/2 tbsp tandoori masala powder
1 bay leaf
1/2"inch cinnamon stick
4-5 peppercorns
2 cardamom pods
2 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
Water as required

For Layering

4 tbsp ghee, divided
1/4 cup coriander leaves
1/4 cup mint leaves
Pinch of saffron soaked in tbsp milk

Handful of cashews and almond flakes

Methods

Heat 2 tbsp ghee and fry the cashews and almond flakes till golden. Keep aside.

In a large pot, add remaining 2 tbsp ghee and saute all ingredients listed under "For Rice" except the rice. Cook on medium low hit for 30 seconds and add the rice. Stir gently till the rice well combine with the fragrant masala. Add water and cook till the rice are 70% done. Strain the rice and spread on a large tray.

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients listed under marination and refrigerate for 30 minutes

Heat 2 1/2 tbsp oil in a heavy bottom pan. Saute sliced onion till slightly brown

Add sliced tomatoes and bay leaf for 1 minute. Add marinated prawns and cook on medium heat for 4-6 minutes. Add chopped coriander and mint leaves.  Turn off the heat.

Sprinkle fried onion on cooked prawn masala. Top with par boiled rice.

Drizzle with saffron milk,fried cashews,almond flakes and ghee. Cover with lid.

Place the pot on a heavy bottom tawa or dosa pan over a medium-low heat and place a heavy object like a motar. Cook for 12-15 minutes. Turn off flame and leave it for 8-10 minutes. Unlid and serve hot.

Serve with raita of your choice