Mussel Biryani ( Kallummekkaya Biryani / Kadukka Biriyani / Blue Mussel Biriyani)

Ingredients:-

Marinade

Mussels/Kakka/Kallummakaya – 30-40 nos,

Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

Red chilli powder-1 tsp

Pepper powder-1/2 tsp

Salt

For the Masala

Onion – 2 nos. medium

Tomato puree – ½ cup

Green chillies – 2-3 nos.

Ginger – 2 inch piece

Garlic pods – 5-8 big cloves

Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp

Fennel seed (Perumjeerakam) -1/2 tsp

Mint leaves,chopped – ½ cup

Red chilli powder – 3 tsp

Coriander powder – 2 tsp

Garam masala – 2 tsp

Coriander leaves,chopped – ½ cup

Oil

Salt

For the Rice

Basmati rice – 2 ½ cups

Cinnamon – 3 inch stick

Cloves – 4-6 nos.

Cardamom – 4-6 nos.

Bay leaf – 2-3 leaves.

Ghee – 4-6 tbsp

Salt

Water

 Directions:-

First Prepare Rice For Biriyani:-

·          Clean and soak rice for 10 minutes. And drain the water. Keep aside.

·          Heat 3 tbsp of the ghee in another pan and add the cinnamon,cardamom,cloves and bay lea

·          Sauté for a second and add the drained rice.

·          Stir fry the rice till it turns opaque and add water, mint leaf, salt and cook the rice till it is cooked and keep it aside.

Prepare Masala

·         Clean the mussel and drain all water.

·         Marinate it with chilly powder, turmeric powder, pepper powder and salt. Keep it aside for 10-20 minutes.

·         Shallow fry mussels till golden brown, but don’t fry till crispy. Keep it aside.

·         In the same pan (used for frying mussels) add the sliced onion. Stir fry till become golden brown at medium heat.

·         Grind the ginger, garlic, fennel seed, green chilly into coarsely paste without adding water.

·         Add ginger, garlic, green chilli,fennel seed paste and stir for few minutes. Add tomato puree ,chopped coriander leaves , mint leaves and stir for 5-10 minutes

·         Add turmeric powder, chilly powder, coriander powder,garam masala. Stir for a while.

·         Add the fried mussels and mix it well.

Mixing Rice

·         Finally add the cooked rice into the above mussel masala and mix well close the lid and cook for 5-10 minutes on simmer heat.

·         Garnish with fried onion.

Have it with cucumber raita…..