Kofta Biryani is a variation of a biryani where kofta made from paneer and bread is layered with the gravy and rice with spices and then it is cooked on a slow flame (dum) before serving. It is a one meal dish and can be enjoyed on different occasions and potluck.
In a mixing bowl, add bread crumbs, ginger garlic paste and salt.
Add chopped onions, grated paneer, chopped coriander, green chilies and soda bicarbonate.
Mix well and knead into a dough.
Grease your palms with oil and take small portion from the dough and make small size balls. Keep them in a plate.
You can deep fry the kofta at this stage. But I have avoided deep frying and have cooked them in a paniyaram pan using little oil. Heat the paniyaram pan. Add oil in the indent of the pan. Put the kofta in it and cook on medium heat till golden.
Flip the kofta after 2-3 minutes and cook from all the sides in the same way till they are golden.
Cook all the kofta in the same way.
Remove in a dish and keep it aside.
For Rice
Wash and soak the basmati (long grained rice) for 30 minutes.
Put the rice in the pressure cooker with 3 cups of water. Add bayleaf, cinnamon stick, cardamom pod, cloves, oil, and salt. Mix well.
Put the pressure cooker lid with the whistle on and cook the rice for 3-4 whistles on high heat.
Immediately take the cooker off the heat after 3-4 whistles and put it under the tap of running cold water to cool down. Remove the whistle and open the lid.
Drain the rice in a sieve and remove water. Pour cold water over the cooked rice to stop the further process of cooking. Keep it aside on a bowl to remove excess of water. Then spread the grains of cooked rice on a cotton cloth. (The cloth will absorb excess water). Cover the rice with other cloth to prevent from drying.
For Gravy
Heat oil and ghee in a pan.
Add cumin seeds. When they crackle add cloves and cinnamon stick.
Add the sliced onions and mix well.
Add the chopped capsicum and cover and cook on low heat till the onions and capsicum get translucent and soft.
Add the ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute.
Add the chopped tomatoes and cover and cook till the tomatoes get soften.
Add the spices - turmeric powder, coriander cumin powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
Lower the heat and add the fresh yogurt. Cook on low heat to prevent from curdling.
Mix well and cook on low heat.
Add garam masala powder and mix well.
Add kasuri methi (crushed between palms) and Mix well.
Simmer for a minute and then add the boiled peas.
Simmer for 5-6 minute or till the oil floats on the top.
Add the chopped coriander and mint leaves and mix well. The gravy is ready. Remove it in a bowl and keep aside.
For Garnishing
In a mixer grinder add washed and chopped coriander and mint leaves.
Add yogurt and blend them.
The mint coriander yogurt mixture is ready.
Remove in a bowl.
Assembling the Biryani
Grease a heavy bottom pan or a bowl. Put half of the prepared gravy at the bottom of the pan. ( I have used two small bowls around 9 inches).
Add the prepared rice. Spread it evenly on the gravy. Put the koftas on the rice. Put ghee and slit green chilies. Sprinkle salt and garam masala.
Put remaining half of the gravy on top of the rice kofta layer. Add more kofta and put ghee, slit green chilies. Sprinkle garam masala and salt.
Top the prepared layers with the yogurt, mint and coriander mixture. (keep aside some mixture for garnishing while serving the biryani)
Cover the bowl with aluminium foil and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes at 200 C.
Remove the bowl from the oven. Remove the foil and relish the delicious Kofta biryani with sliced onions and papad. Serve the biryani hot.
Remove the biryani in a plate. Garnish with chopped coriander and yogurt coriander and mint mixture and serve. Enjoy every grain of the biryani.