This tawa biryani is a real treat on a holiday. I love to prepare this quick biryani especially on a Sunday because then I get to spend time with my family. I usually make a cucumber – onion raita as an accompaniment.





Ingredients :

½ kg med. size fresh Prawns (cleaned ,deveined & washed)

1 large onion (finely chopped)

Whole Garam Masala (4 cloves, 2 small sticks cinnamon, 2 green cardamom,1 black cardamom, 1 bay leaf, 2 cloves of star anise 5 peppercorns)

1 tbsp. ginger paste

1 tbsp. garlic paste

½ tsp. red chilli powder.

4 tbsps. Biryani Masala

1 tsp. turmeric powder. (haldi)

2 red tomatoes (finely chopped)

A pinch of sugar

2 tbsp. curd (yoghurt)

4 tbsps. cooking oil

5 cups cooked rice (3/4 cooked or till firm but not overcooked)

Salt to taste

2 tbsp. lime juice

Few sprigs of coriander (chopped)

Method :

Biryani Masala Pwd : Take ½ tsp. clove pwdr, ½ tsp. cinnamon pwd., ¼ tsp. cardamom pwd., ¼ tsp. shahijeera pwd. (caraway seeds), ¼ tsp. pepper pwd., ¼ tsp. methi seeds pwd., (fenugreek), 3 tbsps. coriander pwd.,1/4 tsp. mace pwd., (javitri), ¼ tsp. nutmeg pwd. & mix together & store in a bottle. Use as required in the recipe.

To the cleaned prawns apply ½ tsp. each of ginger & garlic paste, 1 tbsp. lime juice & ½ tsp of tumeric pwd. & let it marinate for 15 mins.

In a large wok, heat 4 tbsps. of cooking oil on med. heat.

To this add whole garam masala & let it crackle.

Then add chopped onions & fry till light brown.

Add ginger garlic paste, chilli pwd. ½ tsp. turmeric pwd. & fry for a minute.

Add chopped tomatoes, sugar & fry till the tomatoes are soft.

Add curds & mix & fry till oil separates.

Then add the marinated prawns, biryani masala pwd. & fry till the prawns are cooked.

Keep aside 3 tbsps. of rice & add the remaining cooked rice to the wok & toss & fry well.

Add salt to taste & stir. Add lime juice & toss again.

Before serving gently sprinkle the reserved rice & mix very gently.

Serve hot sprinkled with freshly chopped coriander.

Tip : Fresh paste of ginger & garlic makes a big difference to the biryani. Try & use fresh ingredients.