The Perfect Biryani: A Quick Trip to the Heart of Pakistan

After staying at home for several months, most of us want to break free. Unfortunately, it may not be that prudent to do so, even if we received the vaccines. Why not allow your tastebuds to guide you to exotic lands?

There is nothing more exotic than a plate of biryani. It has the right heat to take you to the mysterious Indian Subcontinent. If you are lucky, it may even have Saffron. This spice will turn your living room into a maharaja’s palace.

The question is, what makes the perfect biryani. Is it the cooking method? Or is it the type of ingredients? Take a moment now to discover what makes the best biryani.

The Golden Ratio

One can describe Pakistani cuisine as varied. One district offers chicken biryani, while another serves lamb. No matter where you are, they would agree that the ratio should be 1:1. It means the proportion of rice should be equal to the meat.

If you consider yourself a carnivore, do not fret! You can still enjoy a meatier biryani. Instead of going for the 1:1 ratio, you can use a 3:2 proportion. For example, if you use 750 grams of meat, you will use 500 grams of rice.

The Quality of Rice

People characterize Pakistani cuisine as spicy. It is not surprising because their land is full of interesting herbs and spices, such as cardamom and Saffron. They would also describe it as rice-laden dishes. It is why you should take the time to find excellent quality rice.

The go-to rice for Pakistani cuisine is basmati. But you can substitute it with other good-quality long grain rice. For the health-conscious, you might be asking if it is alright to replace white rice with brown. Unfortunately, it is not because the rice in the biryani has to absorb a lot of liquid.

Once you have the rice handy, you need to soak it. If you are using basmati, you must immerse it in water for at least twenty minutes. But if you are using sella rice, you need to soak it for at least 45 minutes. Yes, this tedious process is worth it.

Salt

Pakistani cuisine is flavorful. You can put Saffron, nutmeg, cinnamon, and coriander, but if you fail to add salt, you might say that the entire dish is a failure because salt is the essential taste enhancer. Adding salt is crucial - from the marination of the meat to the making of the gravy. When you boil the rice, you must taste if it has enough salt.

Cooking Time

To achieve the perfect biryani, ensure that your rice is not overcooked. Each grain of rice should be separate. To achieve the ideal rice consistency, it must be 70 per cent done.

You can test the doneness of the rice by mashing a grain between your thumb and your index finger. If you can see (or feel) two tiny bits of the rice left, then you have the ideal rice for your biryani. The rest of the cooking occurs when the rice absorbs the flavors of the meat and the spices.

Conclusion

With the COVID-19 Omicron variant still looming large, it may not be prudent to travel. But you do not have to leave the comforts of your home to enjoy the richness of other cultures. You can experience the grandeur of the Pakistani civilization with a plate of biryani.

If you are looking for an authentic taste of Pakistani cuisine, you should check out Karakoram Restaurant. Our dishes will bring Pakistan to your home, so what are you waiting for? Call us now for your next meal!