Bread Kofta Biryani

Preparation Time: 30 mins
Cooking Time: 20 mins
Baking Time: 25 minutes
Baking Temperature: 200°C (400°F).
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
For The Bread Koftas

• 4 bread slices
• 2 tbsp finely chopped onions
• 2 green chillies , finely chopped
• 1 tsp curds (dahi)
• a pinch soda bi-carb
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic (adrak-lehsun) paste
• salt to taste
• oil for deep frying
• For The Rice
• 1 cup long grained rice (basmati)
• 1 bay leaf (tejpatta)
• 25 mm (1”) stick cinnamon (dalchini)
• 2 cardamoms
• 2 cloves (laung / lavang)
• salt to taste

For The Gravy

• 2 cloves (laung / lavang)
• 25 mm (1”) stick cinnamon (dalchini)
• 1/4 cup onions , sliced
• 2 tsp ginger-garlic (adrak-lehsun) paste
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 2 tsp coriander-cumin seed (dhania-jeera) powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
• 1 cup tomatoes , sliced
• 1/2 cup curds (dahi)
• 1/4 cup green peas , boiled
• 3 tbsp oil
• salt to taste
• To Be Mixed Together For The Curd Mixture
• 4 tbsp curds (dahi)
• 2 tbsp chopped mint leaves (phudina)
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander (dhania)
• 2 tbsp water

Method
For the rice

1. Clean, wash and soak the rice for approx. 15 minutes.
2. Boil 2 cups of water, add the bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and salt and then add the rice.
3. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan and cook till the rice is done. Separate each grain of rice lightly with a fork. Keep aside.

For the gravy

1. Heat the oil in a pan and add the cloves and cinnamon.
2. Add the onions and sauté till they turn translucent.
3. Add the ginger-garlic paste, chilli powder, coriander-cumin seed powder and turmeric powder and sauté for 1 minute.
4. Add the tomatoes and salt and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, till the oil separates.
5. Add the curds, mix well and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
6. Add the boiled green peas and mix well. Keep aside.

How to proceed

1. Spoon out the gravy at the bottom of a baking dish.
2. Top with the bread koftas and cover with the cooked rice.
3. Top with the curds mixture.
4. Cover with a lid and bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°c (400°f) for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Serve hot.