Home
Eid Special Nasi Mutton Biryani Recipe: A Singapore-Malaysian Fusion Style Rice

Eid Special Nasi Mutton Biryani Recipe: A Singapore-Malaysian Fusion Style Rice

FusionFusionIntermediateIntermediateMain CourseMain Course
Top view of nasi mutton biryani on a banana leaf with sides
recipe-like
0 Like

recipe-save
Save

Share
recipe-like
0 Like

recipe-save
Save

Share

Eid Special
Nasi Mutton Biryani
Recipe: A Singapore-Malaysian Fusion Style Rice

120 mins
Cooking Time
Intermediate
Difficulty
33
Ingredients
Non Veg
Diet
Nasi biryani is Singapore and Malaysia's much-loved adaptation of the Indian biryani, representing the fusion of Indian Muslim cooking with Malay influences. The name ‘nasi’ means rice in Malay, while ‘biryani’ comes from the Persian word ‘birinj’, meaning rice. While Indian biryani uses the ‘dum’ method of cooking, where semi-cooked rice and meat are layered and steamed together in a sealed pot, Nasi biryani uses the ‘absorption method’, where the rice and meat curry are cooked completely separately, then served together on a plate. This comes from the habit of Malays who love drowning their rice in thick, rich gravies and curries. The separate preparation allows for more gravy to be served.

Ingredients

UNITSIngredients
For marinating the mutton:
1 kgMutton shanks or shoulder (bone-in)
2 tablespoonsBiryani spice mix
1 cupGreek yoghurt
For the mutton curry:
350 gGhee or oil
4 largeOnions (3 thinly sliced, 1 cut roughly)
2Green chillies
3 tablespoonsGinger-garlic paste
2 tablespoonsRaw cashews
5Bay leaves
2Cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoonsCumin seeds
2Black cardamom
2Star anise
1 teaspoonCloves
1Fresh mint (bunch)
1 teaspoonRosewater
3 teaspoonsSalt
2 teaspoonsSugar
For the rice:
4 cupsBasmati rice (aged, long grain)
5 cupsWater
1 cupEvaporated milk or full-fat milk
4 tablespoonsGhee
4-5Pandan leaves (knotted)
2Lemongrass stalks (optional)
1 setWhole spices (cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, star anise)
to tasteSalt
a few dropsYellow food colouring or turmeric water (optional)
For garnish and serving:
½ cupFried shallots (crispy)
¼ cup Raisins
¼ cup Cashew nuts (toasted)
for servingDalcha (lentil stew)
for servingAchar (pickles - cucumber and fruit)
2-3Hard-boiled eggs (optional)

Related Recipes:

View all

Follow
Directions

Description - Step 1

Marinate the mutton

Cut mutton into large 2-inch pieces with bone-in. In a large bowl, mix mutton pieces with biryani spice mix and Greek yoghurt. Massage the marinade thoroughly into each piece. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or for a minimum of 4 hours). This tenderises the meat and infuses a deep flavour.

Step 1
Marinate the mutton
15 Minutes (plus overnight passive)
Step 2
Make the fried onions
15 Minutes
Step 3
Cook the mutton curry
50-60 Minutes
Step 4
Finish mutton curry
5 Minutes