Mussels or Kallummakkai are one of the lovely item from seafood. Biriyani prepared with mussels are delicious and aromatic. Here comes a simple but awesome mussel biriyani recipe, give a try upon it. Here I used 1 kg mussels with shell, if you are getting deshelled , then use 400-500 g.
INGREDIENTS FOR PREPARATION
- Mussels: 1kg(With shells)
- Biriyani rice: 3 cups
- Onion: 3
- Tomato: 2
- Ginger-garlic paste: 2 tbs
- Green chilly: 6
- Coriander powder: 1 tsp
- Turmeric powder: 1/4 tsp
- Cumin powder: 1 tsp
- Yogurt: 2 tbs
- Lime juice: 1 tbs
- Coriander leaves: 4 tbs
- Mint leaves: 2 tbs
- Oil: 3 tbs
- Cinnamon: 1/2 inch
- Cloves: 3
- Cardamom: 3
- Bay leaf: 1
- Ghee: 4 -5 tbs
- Salt: to taste.
- Fried onion, cashew: for garnishing( optional)
For marination
- Chilly powder: 1 tsp
- Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: to taste
- Oil: for frying
METHOD OF PREPARATION
- Clean the shells of mussels, cook it for 10 minutes.
- Donot add water, as water will come out from mussels itself. Reserve little water to use while preparing biriyani masala. It gives more flavor.
- Remove mussels from shell, clean it and wash it with same water came out while cooking.
- Marinate mussels with 1 tsp chilly powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, and salt, keep aside for 10 minutes.
- Fry them in oil and keep aside.
- To the same pan, add little more oil and saute chopped onion in it.
- Cook till onion turns soft and translucent.
- Now add ginger-garlic paste and green chilly paste , saute till it's raw smell moves.
- Add in coriander powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder and salt , cook till nice aroma arrives.
- Now add chopped tomatoes and 1/2 cup above reserved water.
- Cook till tomatoes mashes and thickens the gravy.
- Now add in fried mussels ,stir mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add in yogurt, 2tbs coriander leaves, mint leaves , combine well and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from flame.
- Meanwhile , by the time masala is cooker, we can prepare rice.
- Heat 2 tbs oil in a pan, and roast all whole masala mentioned in above ingredients list.
- Now add washed and drained rice and saute for 3-4 minutes.
- Add in 6 cups of boiling water along with salt and cover cook it till it is about to cook and dries up the water.
Layering
- Take a thick bottomed pan with lid, arrange half of the masala prepared.
- Layer half of the rice above it.
- Sprinkle some ghee , coriander leaves, fried onion( if using) above it.
- Again layer the remaining masala over it, then with remaining rice.
- Make 3 or 4 holes on top , sprinkle ghee , coriander leaves and fried onion, roasted cashew( if using )
- Cover the pan with tight lid( to avoid air escaping).
- Place it over a iron pan and cook on medium low flame for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from fire and keep unopened for another 5-10 minute.
Delicious Mussel/ Kallummakkai Biriyani is ready. Serve hot and enjoy eating.
