King Fish Biryani - South Indian Style
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 5 people
Ingredients
For marinating the fish
  • King fish- 10 large pieces
  • Chili powder- 2 tsp (for less heat add Kashmiri chili powder)
  • Turmeric powder- ¼ tsp
  • Fennel powder- 1 tsp
  • Coriander powder- 1 tbsp
  • Lemon juice- 2 tbsp
  • Curry leaves- 1 sprig
  • Salt- 1 tsp
  • Water- 2 tbsp
For frying fish
  • Coconut Oil- enough for frying
To grind
  • Garlic- 3 large cloves
  • Ginger- 2 inch slice
  • Small onions- 6
  • Green chilies- 2 to 4 (based on your heat level)
  • Whole Cardamom- 2
  • Cloves- 1
  • Cinnamon- 1 inch slice
For making King fish masala
  • Oil used for frying fish- 2 tbsp
  • Coconut oil- 2 tbsp
  • Onions, sliced thin- 4, large-sized
  • Salt- 1 tsp
  • Curry leaves- 1 sprig
  • Tomatoes, chopped- 2
  • Kashmiri or regular chili powder- 1 tsp
  • Fennel powder- ½ tsp
  • Coriander powder- 1 tsp
  • Yogurt (not sour)- 3 tbsp
For cooking rice
  • Basmati rice- 2 cups (soaked & rinsed)
  • Ghee- 1 tbsp
  • Dried bay leaves- 2
  • Whole cardamoms- 2
  • Water- 3½ cups
  • Salt- 1 tsp
For garnishing
  • Fried onions- 1 Onion, sliced and fried in oil till golden brown.
  • Cilantro, chopped- ¼ cup
  • Fresh mint leaves, chopped- ¼ cup
Instructions
  1. Clean the king fish under running water, if the fish is large sized, you can cut into medium-sized pieces.
  2. To a bowl, add the spices mentioned for 'marinating the fish', make into a thick smooth paste.
  3. Spread the marinade all over the fish, let marinate for 30 minutes.
  4. Shallow fry the fish in enough oil till golden in color. Avoid over frying the fish, Keep them aside on a paper towel.
Making king fish masala
  1. Place a large sauce pan over medium heat, add 2 tbsp of the oil that's left after frying fish- it's very flavourful & add 2 tbsp coconut oil.
  2. Add sliced onions along with curry leaves and ½ tsp salt, saute till the onions turn translucent.
  3. Grind- garlic, ginger, small onions, green chilies, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon to a coarse paste.
  4. When the onions turn soft, add the ground paste, saute for a few minutes.
  5. Cook till onions turn golden brown in color.
  6. Add chopped tomatoes and cook covered till tomatoes have mashed up.
  7. Add chili powder, fennel powder and coriander powder and ½ tsp salt; combine well.
  8. Add the fried fish and gently combine everything.
  9. Add beaten yogurt, combine well, cook covered for 5 minutes.
  10. Take the pan off the heat and keep it covered.
Cooking Rice
  1. Soak 2 cups basmati rice in 3 cups water for 15 minutes.
  2. Strain the soaked basmati rice to a large strainer & rinse under running water till the water turns clear.
  3. Place a saucepan over medium heat, add ghee.
  4. Add dried bay leaves & cardamoms, saute for a few seconds.
  5. Add the soaked & rinsed rice, roast for 2 minutes.
  6. Add warm water, for 2 cups rice I've added 3½ cups water to cook over stove top.
  7. Add 1 tsp salt, while cooking rice the rice has to be salted well, else the biryani will taste bland.
  8. Close with the lid & cook covered for 12 minutes till the rice has turned fluffy, don't over cook the rice it will turn mushy.
  9. Take the pan off the heat & keep it covered.
How to layer the rice and fish masala
  1. In a biryani pot or a large saucepan/wok, spread half of the fish masala as the first layer.
  2. Top with half of the cooked rice as the second layer.
  3. Sprinkle chopped cilantro, mint leaves and fried onions.
  4. Again repeat layering with fish masala, rice, finally top it with cilantro, mint leaves and fried onions.
  5. Close the pan tightly with aluminum foil and then with its lid.
  6. Place the pan over low flame and cook for 10 minutes.
  7. After 10 minutes, take the pan off the heat and keep it covered for 15 minutes.
  8. While serving, gently combine the rice and fish masala together, serve on a plate along with raita and pickle.
  9. This is an absolutely delicious biryani with king fish, enjoy.
Notes
Adjust the spice level according to your needs, if you like it spicy increase the amount of chili powder or green chilies accordingly.
This biryani, in fact all biryanis taste better when it sits for sometime, it would taste even more better the next day.
Recipe by Cooking with Thas - Wholesome Homemade Recipes at https://thasneen.com/cooking/king-fish-biryani-best-tasting-neymeen-biryani-kerala-recipe/