Butternut Biryani With Cucumber Raita Recipes

BUTTERNUT BIRYANI WITH CUCUMBER RAITA

Steps:

• Pour 425ml boiling water over the dried mushrooms and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a non-stick pan. Add the onions, garlic, ginger and chilli and stir-fry briefly over a high heat so they start to soften. Add the rice and squash and stir for a few mins. Tip in the cumin and coriander then stir in the mushrooms and their water with the bouillon.
• Cover the pan and simmer for 20 mins until the rice is tender. Meanwhile mix the cucumber and yogurt with the mint to make a raita. Stir the coriander and almonds into the rice when it is ready and serve with the raita and a few extra leaves of mint or coriander.

LAMB & SQUASH BIRYANI WITH CUCUMBER RAITA

Steps:

• Mix the lamb with the garlic, 2 tsp chopped ginger and 1 tsp ground coriander and set aside.
• Heat 2 tsp oil in a non-stick pan. Add the onions, the remaining ginger and chilli and stir-fry briefly over a high heat so they start to soften. Add the rice and squash and stir over the heat for a few mins. Tip in all the remaining spices, then stir in 500ml boiling water and the bouillon. Cover the pan and simmer for 20 mins.
• Meanwhile, mix the cucumber, yogurt and mint together in a bowl to make a raita. Chill half for later.
• About 5 mins before the rice is ready, heat the remaining oil in a non-stick frying pan, add the lamb and stir for a few mins until browned but still nice tender. Toss into the spiced rice with the coriander and serve with the raita and a few mint or coriander leaves on top.