Beef Biryani
Beef Biryani is a wonderfully fragrant and filling dish packed with tender beef, aromatic spices and fluffy rice. The rich flavours are balanced with fresh tomato sections and a few soft, cooked garlic cloves for an extra burst of flavour. It makes a satisfying main meal and is also ideal for sharing as part of a larger Indian-style feast.
Beef Biryani is a wonderfully fragrant and filling dish packed with tender beef, aromatic spices and fluffy rice. The rich flavours are balanced with fresh tomato sections and a few soft, cooked garlic cloves for an extra burst of flavour. It makes a satisfying main meal and is also ideal for sharing as part of a larger Indian-style feast.
Servings 4 People
Ingredients
Beef Ingredients:
- 600 g stewing beef cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion finely sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cm fresh ginger grated
- 2 large tomatoes chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 250 ml beef stock
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Rice Ingredients:
Serving Ingredients:
- 2 medium ripe tomatoes cut into sections
- 8 cloves garlic peeled optional
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 handful fresh coriander chopped
- 1 tsp garam masala
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the beef. Pat the pieces dry with kitchen paper and season with the salt and black pepper.600 g stewing beef, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy-based saucepan or casserole dish over a medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches and brown it on all sides. Do not overcrowd the pan, as the beef needs to brown rather than steam.2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Remove the browned beef and set it aside. Next, add the sliced onion to the same pan and cook for around 5 minutes until it starts to soften and turn golden.1 large onion
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir everything together and cook for another minute.3 cloves garlic, 2 cm fresh ginger
- Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato purée. Stir well, then add the cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala and chilli powder.2 large tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato purée, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp garam masala, ½ tsp chilli powder
- Return the browned beef to the pan and stir until it is coated in the spicy tomato mixture.
- Pour in the beef stock and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan and cook for approximately 45 minutes, or until the beef becomes tender.250 ml beef stock
- Meanwhile, rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch and helps produce lighter, fluffier rice.
- Place the rice in a saucepan with the water, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaf and salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and cover.300 g basmati rice, 600 ml water, 1 stick cinnamon, 4 pods cardamom, 4 whole cloves, 1 leaf bay, ½ tsp salt
- Cook the rice for around 10 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the grains are almost tender. Remove from the heat and leave covered for another 5 minutes.
- While the rice rests, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a small frying pan. Add the garlic cloves and cook gently until they become golden and tender. Turn them regularly so they colour evenly without burning.1 tbsp vegetable oil, 8 cloves garlic
- When the beef is tender, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. The mixture should be rich and fairly thick rather than watery.
- Add half of the cooked rice over the beef mixture. Sprinkle over a little garam masala, then add the remaining rice.1 tsp garam masala
- Cover the pan and cook over a very low heat for around 10 minutes. This allows the flavours to mingle while the rice finishes cooking.
- Carefully fluff the rice with a fork, taking care not to break the grains or turn the biryani into a sticky mixture.
- Transfer the Beef Biryani to a large serving dish. Arrange the fresh tomato sections around the rice and scatter the cooked garlic cloves over the top.2 medium ripe tomatoes
- Finish with a sprinkling of fresh coriander and serve immediately.1/4 handful fresh coriander
Equipment
- Large heavy-based saucepan or casserole dish
- Medium saucepan with lid
Notes
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the Beef Biryani with the tomato sections and cooked garlic clearly visible on top. A bowl of natural yoghurt, cucumber raita or a simple green salad makes a refreshing accompaniment. Naan bread or chapatis are also excellent for mopping up any remaining sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1112mg | Potassium: 1204mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1417IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 5mg
