MUTTON YAKHNI PULAO

Yakhni Pulao  is a combination of  tender meat pieces and rice  flavored  with  meat stock. Yakhni means meat stock, like beef, mutton or chicken stock. It is the yakhni (stock) which brings out the taste in this pulao.

This dish though simple, tastes delicious and can be served with Raita (yoghurt based salad).

Mutton Yakhni Pulao

Ingredients :

250gms Mutton 

250gms Rice (Basmati rice soaked in water for 30 minutes)

2 med. Onions (peeled & sliced)

2 tbsps. fresh Ginger-Garlic paste

¼ tsp. Turmeric pwd. (optional)

2-3  fresh Green Chillies (slit) 

5 tbsps. Vegetable Oil

Salt to taste

Whole Garam Masala 

1 large stick of Cinnamon, 16 Cloves, 20-25 Peppercorns, 2 Black Cardamom(lightly bruised), 3 Green Cardamom (lightly bruised), 1 tsp. Cumin Seeds, 2 tbsp whole Coriander Seeds, 2 Bay Leaves (Tej Patta). 

For the Garnishing :

Coriander & Mint Leaves (chopped)

Method :

Wash, drain & marinate the mutton with 1 tbsps. ginger-garlic paste, turmeric pwd.,and a little salt for about an hour.  

Pressure cook the marinated mutton, one sliced onion, whole garam masala with 5 cups of water for about 4-5 whistles or till the meat is just tender.

Allow the cooker to cool down a little and then release the steam completely.

Strain the stock, separate the meat, discard the whole spices.

The meat stock should measure up to 5 cups. If the amount of stock is less then add water accordingly to measure up to the required amount of liquid.

Heat the pressure cooker with cooking oil till hot.

Add the remaining sliced onions and fry until lightly golden brown. 

Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté till the moisture evaporates.

Add the slit chillies and fry for a few seconds.

Drain and add the soaked rice. Gently sauté till the rice grains are separated, well coated and glossy.

Add the cooked meat and pour in the reserved meat stock and give it a good stir. Taste to check seasoning and adjust if necessary. Also adjust water level if required as this depends on the quality of the rice.

Pressure cook  the rice till done.  

Serve garnished with freshly chopped coriander leaves.