Prawn Tawa Biryani

This tawa biryani is a real treat on a holiday. I love to prepare this quick biryani especially on a Sunday because then I get to spend time with my family. I usually make a cucumber – onion raita as an accompaniment.

Ingredients :

½ kg med. size fresh Prawns (cleaned ,deveined & washed)
1 large onion (finely chopped)
Whole Garam Masala (4 cloves, 2 small sticks cinnamon, 2 green cardamom,1 black cardamom, 1 bay leaf, 2 cloves of star anise 5 peppercorns)
1 tbsp. ginger paste
1 tbsp. garlic paste
½ tsp. red chilli powder.
4 tbsps. Biryani Masala
1 tsp. turmeric powder. (haldi)
2 red tomatoes (finely chopped)
A pinch of sugar
2 tbsp. curd (yoghurt)
4 tbsps. cooking oil
5 cups cooked rice (3/4 cooked or till firm but not overcooked)
Salt to taste
2 tbsp. lime juice
Few sprigs of coriander (chopped)

Method :

Biryani Masala Pwd : Take ½ tsp. clove pwdr, ½ tsp. cinnamon pwd., ¼ tsp. cardamom pwd., ¼ tsp. shahijeera pwd. (caraway seeds), ¼ tsp. pepper pwd., ¼ tsp. methi seeds pwd., (fenugreek), 3 tbsps. coriander pwd.,1/4 tsp. mace pwd., (javitri), ¼ tsp. nutmeg pwd. & mix together & store in a bottle. Use as required in the recipe.

To the cleaned prawns apply ½ tsp. each of ginger & garlic paste, 1 tbsp. lime juice & ½ tsp of tumeric pwd. & let it marinate for 15 mins.

In a large wok, heat 4 tbsps. of cooking oil on med. heat.
To this add whole garam masala & let it crackle.
Then add chopped onions & fry till light brown.
Add ginger garlic paste, chilli pwd. ½ tsp. turmeric pwd. & fry for a minute.
Add chopped tomatoes, sugar & fry till the tomatoes are soft.
Add curds & mix & fry till oil separates.
Then add the marinated prawns, biryani masala pwd. & fry till the prawns are cooked.
Keep aside 3 tbsps. of rice & add the remaining cooked rice to the wok & toss & fry well.
Add salt to taste & stir. Add lime juice & toss again.
Before serving gently sprinkle the reserved rice & mix very gently.
Serve hot sprinkled with freshly chopped coriander.