Fragrant layered spiced rice with marinated beef, fried onions and saffron — the bold Karachi style of Pakistan's most celebrated dish.
Karachi biryani is bolder and spicier than its Hyderabadi or Lucknawi cousins — the beef is marinated in a fierce yoghurt and spice mixture, the onions are fried to crackling, and everything is layered with fragrant basmati and sealed to steam together. The result is an intensely flavoured, deeply perfumed rice dish with tender meat and the signature brown crust (socarrat) at the bottom of the pot.
Serves 6
Mix beef with yoghurt, half the fried onions, garlic, ginger, biryani masala, chilli, turmeric and salt. Marinate 2 hours (or overnight).
Heat ghee in a heavy pot. Cook tomatoes until thick. Add marinated beef and cook on medium heat 30 minutes until beef is almost tender and masala thick.
Boil rice in heavily salted water with whole spices (cardamom, cloves, cinnamon) for 7 minutes until 60% cooked. Drain.
Spread meat masala evenly in the pot. Top with half the par-cooked rice, scatter remaining fried onions, then add rest of rice. Drizzle saffron milk over top.
Seal pot tightly with foil, then lid. Cook on the lowest heat for 25 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before opening. Serve by digging down through all layers.
Frying the onions until very dark (almost burnt-looking) gives the biryani its characteristic deep flavour.
The dum (sealed steam cooking) is where the magic happens — don't open the lid.
A thick base layer of masala prevents the rice burning.
Use chicken for a 45-minute version.
Add a layer of boiled eggs for a classic variation.
Refrigerate for 3 days. Reheat in a sealed pot or microwave with a splash of water.
Biryani came to South Asia via Persia and the Mughal Empire. The Karachi style is distinctive for its bold spicing and beef, reflecting the city's cosmopolitan character and its large Muhajir community.
A pre-made spice blend for biryani, containing cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, star anise and other spices. Available in South Asian grocery stores.
Per serving · 6 servings total
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