Thalappakatti Mutton Biryani Recipe (Dindigul Biryani)

• 500 grams Mutton (bone in)
• 3 cups Seeraga Samba Rice ((750 grams))

For Pressure Cooking Mutton

• 3 tbsp Coconut Oil
• 3 tbsp Ghee
• 3 large Onions (peeled & sliced thinly )
• 3 slit Green Chillies
• 2 large Tomatoes (chopped finely )
• 3 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tbsp Red Chilli Powder
• 2 tbsp Coriander Powder
• ¼ cup Coriander Leaves (chopped finely)
• ¼ cup Mint Leaves (chopped finely)
• 5½ cup Water
• 2 tsp Salt (to taste)

For Biryani Spice Powder

• 1 stick Cinnamon
• 1½ tbsp Fennel Seeds
• 5 no Mace (Jathipathiri)
• 5 no Kalpaasi (Black Stone Flower)
• 2 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 4 no Cloves
• 6 no Cardamom
• 1 no Star Anise

1. 1

   Soaking Rice : Wash Seeraga Samba rice in multiple changes of water. Cover with fresh water and allow it to soak for 30 minutes.

2. 2

   Make Biryani Masala : Take the ingredients listed for special masala (whole spices) in blender and powder it coarsely. Set aside.

3. 3

   Cooking Mutton : Heat oil and ghee in a pressure cooker. Add in onions and green chillies. Saute it till it gets golden. Add in tomatoes and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add in ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute.

4. 4

   Add in salt, turmeric, chilli powder and coriander powder. Mix well for 30 more seconds. Now add in the fresh biryani masala powder which you made. Mix well.

5. 5

   Add in mutton and mix well. Add in 1 cup of water, cover and pressure cook it for 6 to 7 whistle. Simmer for 10 mins. Turn the heat off, let the pressure go all by itself.

6. 6

   Open the cooker and check if there is too much water. The mixture should look like a thick masala. If there is so much water, put it back on stove and heat till it is reduced.

7. 7

   Adding in Rice : Once it is reduced, add in the strained rice and mix well. Add in 4.5 cup of water, bring it to a full boil. Once it starts to boil, cover the pressure cooker with lid.

8. 8

   Reduce the flame to the lowest possible. Pressure cook it for 1 whistle. Then simmer it for 5 mins. If you don't get any whistle, you can cook on very low heat for a total of 12 to 15 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the steam escape by itself.

9. 9

   Now open the cooker. Take a large pot, gently flip the cooker and remove the rice from the cooker on the large serving dish. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Now gently fluff up the rice. Serve with raita.