Shrimp Biryani

Shrimp Biryani has a wonderful taste and flavor which makes it stand apart as one of the most popular and favorite among Biryani lovers. There are different ways to make an authentic shrimp Biryani. This is not an authentic one. It is inspired by the Goa shrimp Biryani which makes use of coconut milk and tomatoes instead of yogurt. When i read about this i had an instinct to make it as I wished to understand why Goa food is unique is in its flavor and taste. This recipe actually called for the traditional method of making it with raw shrimp and uncooked rice cooked in coconut milk. But I did not try that fearing that I will end up with a pulao. Luckily my method proved successful and the Biryani came out well and there is a wonderful aroma now in my kitchen.

Ingredients
For Rice
Basmati Rice- 1 1/2 cups
Water- 3 cups
Cardamon-2
Cinnamon- 1 stick
cloves - 2
Salt to taste
Oil- 1 tsp


For shrimp masala
Shrimp- 1 lb
onions- 1/2 cup 
Garlic-ginger-green chilly paste- 3 tsp
Tomatoes- 2
Chilly powder 1/2 tsp
Coriender powder- 1/2 tsp
Turmeric- 1/3 tsp
Cardomon- 2
Cinnamon- 1
Cloves 3-4
Fennel seeds- 1/2 tsp
Biryani Masala- 1/2 tsp
Coconut milk- 1 cup
oil for frying
Ghee 1 tsp

For garnish
Onions- 1 medium (sliced and fried)
Coriander leaves and mint leaves


Clean and soak rice for half an hour. Drain out the water completely using a strainer and keep aside.
Bring three cups of water to boil and add in whole masala ( tie them using a small cloth) and one tsp of oil and salt. Add the rice and cook it till it is 75% done. Drain out water and spread out a plate gently with a fork.
Marinate shrimp with chilly powder, turmeric, coriander powder and salt for half an hour and fry them till it is half cooked and keep aside. 
In the same pan add whole garam masalas and onions and mint leaves  fry them till golden brown and add in the ginger-garlic-green chilly paste and fry for a minute. Add tomatoes and saute till it gets mashed up and oil starts separating. Add the coconut milk and let it simmer in a medium heat for a minute and finally add shrimp and cover and simmer for a minute.
Take a large pan with a proper tight lid. Grease the bottom with a little ghee and transfer half of the shrimp mixture into it. Add in a little of fried onion, coriander leaves and one layer of rice. Now repeat the same process and make a second layer. Finally garnish with fried onions and pour in a few drops of yellow food color ( this is optional).Close the lid tightly and put on the stove in a medium heat for three minutes and then simmer to low for about ten minutes.( you can also use the oven method. Arrange as said above, cover the dish with an aluminum foil and keep it in oven for 10 minutes 200 degree). Shrimp is already half done and will not take much time to cook. So do not overcook.Serve warm.

Try it...
Hope you will enjoy!!!