Crab Biriyani

Biryani is a flavorful dish due to varied fragrant ingredients and basmati rice. it can be made in different variations according to different places. Here is a simple recipe of biriyani with the lovely seafood crab.
Ingredients For The Crab Masala:

1. Crab cleaned-1kg
2. Onion thinly sliced-4 large
3. Tomato thinly sliced-3medium
4. Ginger, garlic, green chilly paste- 3tbsp
5. Curd-3 tbsp
6. Turmeric powder-1/2tsp
7. Chilly powder-1 tsp (as per taste)
8. Pepper powder-1tsp
9. Garam masala powder-2tsp
10. Mint leaves chopped-1/4cup
11. Coriander leaves-1/4cup
12. Salt-to taste
13. Oil-3 tbsp

Ingredients For Cooking Rice:

1. Basmati rice-2cup
2. Cinnamon stick-2(one inch size)
3. Cardamom pods-4
4. Cloves-4
5. Bay leaves-2
6. Salt-to taste

To garnish:

1. Fried Onions-2 nos
2. Fried Cashews-few
3. Fried Raisins-few
4. Coriander leaves  chopped- 2 tbsp
5. Mint leaves chopped-2 tbsp
6. Ghee melted- 2 tbsp
7. Rose water / Pineapple essence /Kewra water- few drops

Preparation:

• In a pan heat 3 tablespoons of oil and sauté onion very well.
• Add ginger, garlic, green chilly paste in to it.
• When the raw smell goes add tomato in to it;
• When the tomatoes are mashed well add all the powders, curd, coriander leaves, mint leaves, cleaned crab and salt.
• Cover the lid and cook about 20 minutes (or until crab get cooked) in a low-medium flame (open the lid often and stir occasionally).
• Mean while soak the rice in water for 15 minutes and drain.
• Boil water in  pan (enough to cook and drain rice); add salt, cinnamon stick, cardamom, bay leaves and cloves.
• When it boils add drained rice
• cooks until done (3/4 th cooked) and drain the rice.
• In the dum pan (heavy bottom pan) add little oil; spread half part of prepared crab masala. 
• Add half part of rice on top of it; sprinkle half of garnishing ingredients on top.
• Spread remaining masala followed by remaining rice and garnishing ingredients.
• Cover the lid tightly (without escaping the steam) place a heavy weight on top of the lid and cook for 20-30 minutes on low flame (simmer mode).
• After that give a good mix and serve.