Here’s a simple recipe to make a delicious Shrimp Tellicherry Biryani, where spicy shrimp is layered with fragrant rice and cooked on dum for a rich, flavorful dish.
Ingredients
For the shrimp marinade:
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
Salt to taste
2 Tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)
For the biryani masala:
1/2 kg shrimp
3 large onions, sliced finely (250 g)
10 green chilies, crushed into a paste
1 Tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tomato, sliced
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
2 tsp coriander powder
1/3 cup chopped coriander leaves
2 Tbsp ghee
Juice of 1 lime
For the rice:
3 cups jeera shaala rice, washed and drained
1 small onion, sliced finely
6 cups boiling water
3 Tbsp ghee
To assemble:
1 tsp garam masala
How to Make Shrimp Tellicherry Biryani
Step 1: Marinate the shrimp
Mix shrimp with chili powder, turmeric, and salt.
Fry lightly in vegetable oil for a few minutes and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the biryani masala
Heat 2 Tbsp ghee on medium heat and fry the onions until soft and golden brown.
Add the green chili paste and ginger-garlic paste. Sauté until the raw smell disappears.
Add turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, coriander powder, and sliced tomato. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add the shrimp and stir well. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes.
Squeeze in lime juice, add chopped coriander, and adjust salt as needed.
Cook until the masala becomes thick and coats the back of a spoon.
Step 3: Cook the rice
In a separate pan, heat 3 Tbsp ghee. Fry the finely sliced onion until golden.
Boil 6 cups of water, add the washed rice, and cook until it’s 70-80% done. Drain the water.
Step 4: Assemble the biryani
Layer the shrimp masala and rice in a heavy-bottomed vessel.
Sprinkle garam masala and saffron water over the top.
Cover tightly and cook on low heat (dum) for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Step 5: Serve
This Shrimp Tellicherry Biryani is aromatic, spicy, and perfect for special occasions or a weekend feast.