Ingredients

  • 10 black peppercorns
  • 2 whole cloves
  • One 4-inch cinnamon stick
  • 1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • Small piece of mace
  • 4 green cardamom pods
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 2 onions (1 pound), thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped mint
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 to 3 Thai chiles, minced
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 1/2 pounds trimmed boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons ghee or clarified butter
  • 4 whole black peppercorns
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 2 green cardamom pods
  • 1 black cardamom pod
  • One 2-inch cinnamon stick
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • Small piece of mace
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • Pinch of saffron threads
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons ghee or clarified butter, plus more for brushing
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons chopped mint
  • 1/2 teaspoon rose water
  • 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped tomato
  • 1 small Thai chile, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced red onion
  • 2 teaspoons chopped mint, plus small leaves for garnish
  • 2 teaspoons chopped cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
  • Pinch of sugar
  • Kosher salt

Method

  • Make the garam masala In a small skillet, toast all of the spices over moderate heat until fragrant.
  • Transfer the spices to a plate to cool completely, then grind to a powder.
  • Prepare the Lamb In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil.
  • Add the onions and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Reserve one-third of the onions in a small bowl.
  • Scrape the remaining onions into a large bowl and let cool to room temperature.
  • Add the next 12 ingredients and 1 teaspoon of the garam masala and mix well.
  • Stir in the lamb until evenly coated.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  • In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the ghee.
  • Add the lamb mixture and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 8 minutes.
  • Add 1/2 cup of water, cover and cook over moderately low heat until the lamb is tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the rice In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
  • Wrap the peppercorns, cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, nutmeg and mace in a piece of cheesecloth and tie into a secure bundle.
  • Add to the saucepan along with the oil, salt and caraway; stir in the rice.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice is cooked three-quarters of the way, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Drain well, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid.
  • Discard the spice bundle.
  • In a small saucepan, toast the saffron over moderately low heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the milk.
  • Assemble the Biryani Preheat the oven to 350.
  • Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the ghee in a large enameled cast-iron casserole.
  • Spoon half of the lamb mixture into the casserole in an even layer.
  • Spread half of the rice over the lamb.
  • Top with half each of the remaining cooked onions, saffron milk, ghee, cilantro, mint, rose water and garam masala and 2 tablespoons of the reserved rice cooking water.
  • Repeat the layering once more.
  • Make the dough lid In a medium bowl, mix the flour and water until a rough dough forms.
  • On a lightly floured work surface, knead the dough until it is smooth and pliable, about 5 minutes.
  • Gather into a ball and roll out to a 1/8-inch-thick round thats a few inches larger than your casserole.
  • Drape the dough over the top of the casserole, pressing to seal it around the edge.
  • Bake the biryani for 20 to 25 minutes, until the dough is golden and the rice is hot.
  • Brush the crust with ghee and let stand for 5 minutes.
  • Make the tomato-onion raita Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and garnish with mint leaves.
  • Crack off and discard the dough lid and serve the lamb biryani hot, with the cooling raita.