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Yakhni Pulao

Yakhni Pulao

IndianIndianEasyEasyMain CourseMain Course
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Easy
Yakhni Pulao
For Your Eid Party: Aromatic, One-Pot Rice Meal

80 mins
Cooking Time
Easy
Difficulty
23
Ingredients
Non Veg
Diet
It feels impossible to have an Eid party without a rice dish, be it the traditional biryani or the aromatic yakhni pulao. Yakhni pulao is a rice dish where tender, slow-cooked meat (chicken or mutton) is combined with rice and a strained broth. The broth, called yakhni, is what gives it its signature flavour. Yakhni is a white, Kashmiri curry made without the use of turmeric or tomatoes. Though both use whole spices, yakhni pulao tends to be lighter on the stomach than biryani, and is also easier to cook. Yakhni pulao has a subtle, delicate flavour focused on the broth. Yakhni pulao is served with a simple raita, and is perfect for an Eid party where you want the main course to balance the rich starters (like kebabs and samosas) and desserts.

Ingredients

UNITSIngredients
For the meat and yakhni:
500 g Mutton or chicken (bone-in)
6-7 cupsWater
1Medium onion, roughly chopped
4-5Garlic cloves
1Ginger piece
1Star anise
1Cinnamon stick, small
3Green cardamom
1Black cardamom
6-8Peppercorns
3Cloves
1Bay leaf
1 tspFennel seeds
1 tspCoriander seeds
For the pulao:
2 tbspOil/Ghee
2 cupsBasmati rice
1 tbspGinger-garlic paste
½ cupYoghurt
2Medium onions, thinly sliced
2Green chillies, slit
to tasteSalt
2 tbspMint leaves, chopped (for garnish)
2 tbspCoriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)

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Follow
Directions

Description - Step 1

Soak the rice

Wash the basmati rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. Soak it in water for 30 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Description - Step 2

Prepare the meat and yakhni

While the rice soaks, start on your yakhni. In a large pot, combine the meat, water, chopped onion, garlic, ginger, and all the whole spices. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the meat becomes tender. If using chicken, it can take 20–25 minutes. Mutton usually takes 35–40 minutes. Strain the broth and set aside the yakhni (broth). Keep the cooked meat separate.

Description - Step 3

Make the pulao base

Heat oil or ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and fry until golden brown and slightly caramelised. Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for about 1 minute.

Description - Step 4

Add the meat

Add the cooked meat and stir for 2 minutes. Mix in the yoghurt and green chillies, stirring until the yoghurt blends with the masala.

Description - Step 5

Add the rice

Add the soaked rice to the pot and sauté gently for 2–3 minutes. Pour in about 4 cups of the reserved yakhni and add salt to taste. Stir lightly.

Description - Step 6

Cook the pulao

Cook the meat and rice on medium-high heat until most of the liquid evaporates. Once the rice appears on the surface and only a little liquid remains, cover the pot with a tight lid. Now, reduce the heat to low and cook on dum (steam) for 10–12 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.

Description - Step 7

Garnish and serve

Turn off the heat and let the pulao rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently and garnish with chopped mint and coriander leaves. Serve hot. 

Step 1
Soak the rice
30 Minutes
Step 2
Prepare the meat and yakhni
40 Minutes
Step 3
Make the pulao base
10 Minutes
Step 4
Add the meat
2-3 Minutes
Step 5
Add the rice
4 Minutes
Step 6
Cook the pulao
15-18 Minutes
Step 7
Garnish and serve
2 Minutes

Plate it up!

Plating Instructions

plating-instructions-image
Take a large platter, a plate, or a wide bowl to serve the yakhni pulao.  

Pairing Instructions

pairing-instructions-image
Serve the pulao with cucumber raita, or plain yoghurt. Also, add a festive beverage, like rose sherbet, for the party. &...

Garnishing Instructions

garnishing-instructions-image
For an Eid party, elevate the dish by garnishing it with fried onions. They add a delightful crunch to the dish.

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