Shrimp Biryani

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 6 tablespoons ghee
• 1 tablespoon plus 2 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
• 3.5 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons garlic
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2.25 cups water
• 0.5 cups Greek-style) yogurt
• 0.25 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 pound raw shrimp -
• 0.5 cups yellow onion
• 2.5 cups plum tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.5 cups fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint
• 0.25 cups crispy fried onions or shallots

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients.

2. 2

   Place rice in a large bowl, and cover with cold running water. Agitate with hands to release excess starch, and pour off water. Repeat process until water is mostly clear, 4 to 5 times.

3. 3

   Heat 2 tablespoons of the ghee in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon garam masala, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon each of grated garlic and ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon coriander. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add rice, and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is well coated in ghee and spices, 1 to 2 minutes.

4. 4

   Add 2 1/4 cups water, and stir. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir, and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, undisturbed, until rice is just tender, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat, and remove lid. Fluff with a fork, and set aside.

5. 5

   Meanwhile, whisk together yogurt, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add shrimp, and toss to fully coat; set aside.

6. 6

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

7. 7

   Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven or large oven-safe nonstick saucepan. Add onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to release liquid and soften, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, remaining 2 teaspoons garam masala, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, remaining 1 teaspoon each garlic and ginger, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon coriander. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes have mostly broken down and mixture resembles a tomato sauce in texture, about 8 minutes.

8. 8

   Remove from heat, and add shrimp mixture, stirring constantly, until well combined. Stir in 1/4 cup cilantro and 1 tablespoon mint. Remove half (about 1 heaping cup) of the shrimp mixture from Dutch oven, and set aside in a medium bowl. Spread remaining shrimp mixture in the Dutch oven into an even layer. Add half (about 3 cups) of cooked rice mixture over shrimp mixture. Add reserved 1 heaping cup shrimp mixture over rice. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cilantro and 1/2 tablespoon mint. Add remaining rice mixture over shrimp mixture, and spread into an even layer.

9. 9

   Melt remaining 2 tablespoons ghee in a small bowl, and stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon turmeric. Drizzle over rice mixture. Place a lid on Dutch oven.

10. 10

    Bake in the preheated oven until shrimp finishes cooking, 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and remove lid. Shrimp will be bright pink outside and meat will be opaque,. Top with remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro and 1/2 tablespoon mint. Top with fried onions and drizzle with melted ghee, as desired. Serve immediately.