Mughlai food

chicken biryani
3 lb chicken, chopped into bite-size chunks
2.5 tablespoons ghee or oil
2 large onions, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons yoghurt
2 tablespoons chopped mint leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 inch piece cinnamon

1 lb basmati rice or (try to get golden selha ricebest for biryani), washed and drained
2 1/2 tablespoons ghee or oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
a good pinch powdered saffron or saffron strands
5 cardamom pods, bruised
3 whole cloves
1 inch piece cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon powdered aromatic ginger (kencur)
2 tablespoons rose water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 cups strong chicken stock
Heat ghee in a large saucepan and fry onion, garlic and ginger until onion is soft and golden. Add chilli, pepper, cumin, salt . Fry, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. Add yoghurt, mint, cardamom and cinnamon stick.try to get some garam masala.. Cover and cook over low heat,. (It may be necessary to add a little hot water if mixture becomes too dry and starts to stick to pan.) When mixture is thick and smooth, add chicken pieces and stir well to coat them with spice mixture. Cover and cook over very low heat until chicken is tender, approximately 35-45 minutes. There should be only a little very thick gravy left when chicken is cooked. If necessary cook uncovered on high for a few minutes to reduce gravy.

Rice:
Heat ghee and fry onion until golden. Add saffron, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, aromatic ginger and rice. Fry stirring, until rice is coated with the ghee. Add rose water and salt to hot stock, pour over rice mixture and stir well. Add chicken savoury andgently mix into rice. Bring to boil. Cover saucepan tightly, turn heat to very low and steam for 20 minutes. Do not lift lid or stir while cooking. Spoon biryani onto a warm serving