King Prawn Biryani

Ingredients

600 g / 1lb 5 oz basmati rice + 3 tsp salt

30 ml / 2tbsp vegetable oil

30ml / 2 tbsp ghee

*½ tsp cumin seeds, 3 cardammon pods

*4 bay leaves, few cloves, 2 sticks cinnamon

*1 small finely chopped onion

2 tsp ginger/garlic paste

10 ml / 2 tsp red chilli powder

4 green chillies-slit

½ tsp turmeric

10 ml / 1 tsp salt or to taste

450 g / 1 lb king prawns-deveined and washed

30 ml / 2 tsp yoghurt

10 ml / 2 tbsp lemon juice

55 g / 2 oz green peas

1 spring onion, chopped

3 tbsp freshly chopped green coriander

Method

Wash and soak rice in hot water. Heat oil/ghee in a medium sized, heavy pan.

Add all ingredients marked with a  * then let onions sizzle for a while. When golden add

Ginger/garlic, red/green chillie, turmeric and salt. Stir for a few minutes then add prawns, yoghurt and lemon juice. Cook on medium heat.

Boil some water, then add rice, peas and salt. Boil till just slightly undercooked.

Wash and refresh rice under cold water.

Make layers with rice, prawns, chopped spring onions and coriander.

Finish with layer of white rice.

Sprinkle few spoons of hot water and cover and put on stove on lowest setting until steam escapes and rice is thoroughly cooked.

Garnish with more chopped greens before serving.