Homemade Ulavacharu Biryani Recipe

Ulavacharu biryani is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish that hails from the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a popular variety of biryani, known for its unique combination of spices and the use of horse gram, or ulavalu, in its preparation. The dish is traditionally prepared with chicken or mutton, but vegetarian versions are also common.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 cup horse gram (ulavalu), soaked for 4 hours
• 2 cups chicken or mutton, cut into bite-sized pieces (for vegetarian version, use vegetables like carrots, peas, potatoes, and cauliflower)
• 2 onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 inches ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cloves
• 2 cardamom pods
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons chopped mint leaves

Instructions:

1. Rinse the soaked horse gram and set it aside.
2. Heat the water in a big pot until it boils. Add the horse gram and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the horse gram and reserve the cooking water.
3. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they are soft and transparent.
4. Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, bay leaf, cloves, and cardamom pods. Cook for a minute until fragrant.
5. Add the chicken or mutton (or vegetables) and cook until browned.
6. Stir in the cooked horse gram and reserved cooking water. Heat it until it reaches a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Boil some water in another pot. Add the basmati rice and cook until parboiled, about 5 minutes. Drain the rice.
8. Place half the rice in a large ovenproof dish. Top with the chicken or mutton (or vegetables) and horse gram mixture. Cover with the remaining rice.
9. Sprinkle the chopped cilantro and mint leaves on top.
10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes.
11. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information:

Ulavacharu biryani is a nutritious and filling meal that is a good source of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins. A single serving of ulavacharu biryani contains approximately:

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 25 grams
• Carbohydrates: 50 grams
• Fiber: 5 grams
• Fat: 15 grams

Tips:

• For a more flavorful biryani, marinate the chicken or mutton (or vegetables) in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and lemon juice for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• You can also add a touch of saffron to the rice for extra flavor and color.
• To make the biryani even more aromatic, roast the spices (cloves, cardamom, bay leaf) in a dry pan over medium heat for a minute before adding them to the oil.
• If you don't have horse gram, you can substitute it with other lentils, such as chana dal or urad dal.

Conclusion:

Ulavacharu biryani is a delicious and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at your table. It is a perfect meal for a special occasion or a simple weeknight dinner. With its unique blend of spices and flavors, ulavacharu biryani is a true culinary delight from Andhra Pradesh.