Dum Pukht

Simple Dum Pukht Cooking

Ingredients:

- 2 cups of basmati rice (for Biryani) or 1.5 pounds of chicken pieces (for Dum Pukht Chicken)

- 2 tablespoons of ghee (clarified butter)

- 1 large onion, thinly sliced

- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

- 1-inch piece of ginger, minced

- 1/2 cup of plain yogurt

- Whole spices (1 bay leaf, 2-3 green cardamom pods, 2-3 cloves, 1-inch cinnamon stick)

- Salt, to taste

- Saffron strands (for Biryani, optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes if you're making Dum Pukht Biryani. If preparing Dum Pukht Chicken, skip this step.

2. In a heavy-bottomed pan or a traditional Dum Pukht vessel, heat the ghee over medium heat.

3. Add the sliced onions and sauté them until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove half of the fried onions and set them aside for garnishing.

4. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the pan and sauté for a few minutes until the raw smell disappears.

5. If you're making Dum Pukht Biryani, add the soaked and drained rice to the pan. Sauté for a few minutes until the rice becomes translucent. Skip this step for Dum Pukht Chicken.

6. For Dum Pukht Biryani, add yogurt and whole spices (bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon) to the rice. Mix well. Add a pinch of saffron strands soaked in warm milk for extra flavor and color if desired.

7. For Dum Pukht Chicken, add the chicken pieces to the pan and sauté for a few minutes until they turn opaque.

8. Add water to the pan, enough to cover the rice or chicken by about an inch. Season with salt according to your taste.

9. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, sealing it with a dough made from flour and water or using aluminum foil. This is essential for the Dum Pukht technique.

10. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and let the dish cook slowly for about 20-30 minutes (for rice) or 40-45 minutes (for chicken). The slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together and the rice or chicken to become tender.

11. After the cooking time is up, remove the lid or foil carefully. Garnish with the reserved fried onions.

12. Serve your Dum Pukht Biryani or Dum Pukht Chicken hot with raita or a side salad.

Enjoy your delicious Dum Pukht dish!