Murgh Yakhni Pulao ( Chicken Pilaff ) & Award

Murgh Yakhni Pulao ( Chicken Pilaff ) ... A delicious rice dish cooked in chicken stock with green chillies, tomatoes and spices. 

Murgh Yakhni Pulao ( Chicken Pilaff )

******************************************

Serves :  4

Ingredients :

For stock :

• 500 to 750 grams.  chicken pieces
• 5 - 6 cups water
• 1 tsp.  salt
• 1 bulb of garlic
• 3 tbsp.  aniseed / fennel seeds ( Sounf )
• 3 tbsp.  coriander seeds ( Dhania )
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 small onion, peeled

For Rice :

• 500 grams.  Basmati rice ( or any white rice )
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup ghee or cooking oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 - 6 cloves
• 8 - 10 black peppercorn
• 1 large cinnamon stick
• 2 large cardamoms
• 2 - 3 green cardamoms
• 2 star anise ( Badyan )
• 1 tsp.  black cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp.  nigella seeds ( Kalonji )
• 1 tbsp.  ginger & garlic paste
• 2 to 3 tbsp.  finely chopped green chillies
• 1 tbsp.  thinly sliced ginger
• 4 - 6 dried plums ( aloo bukharay ), optional
• 2 to 3 medium tomatoes, sliced
• 1/2 to 1 tsp.  red chilli powder
• Salt ( to taste )
• 1 tsp.  garam masala powder
• 1/4 tsp.  each of nutmeg & mace powder
• Pinch of yellow food color ( dissolved in little water ), optional
• 1/2 tsp.  kewra  

Method :

• Prepare the stock first. Combine chicken & water in a large pot. Bring to a boil and skim off any scum that rises to the top. 
• Reduce the heat, add all the remaining ingredients of stock. Cover and allow to simmer for 15 - 20 minutes or until chicken is tender.
• Meanwhile, wash the rice thoroughly and soak in plenty of water for 30 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the stock with a slotted spoon and keep aside. 
• Continue cooking the stock until onion & garlic are soft.
• Strain the stock and keep aside.
• Remove onion & garlic & transfer to a bowl. Mash the cooked onion. Squeeze the paste out of cooked garlic skin, discard skin.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add chicken and fry over medium heat for 5 minutes until the chicken turns golden.
• Add cloves, black peppercorn, cinnamon, cardamoms, star anise, black cumin seeds & nigella seeds in the pan. Stir-fry for a minute.
• Add ginger garlic paste and green chillies, fry for a minute.
• Add mashed onion + garlic paste, ginger and dried plums. Saute for a few minutes.
• Add tomatoes, red chilli powder, drained rice and and add just enough stock to cook the rice. Adjust salt.
• Bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice is 3/4 th cooked and most of the water has been absorbed by the rice.
• Lower the heat to lowest setting. Sprinkle garam masala powder, nutmeg, mace, food color & kewra over rice and allow to cook for another 8 - 10 minutes until rice is tender.
• Mix gently and serve hot with yoghurt raita and salad.

Notes :

• Add stock according to your rice, as it depends on the quality of rice & also on soaking time.
• After adding the rice, level the rice with a spatula and add enough stock to cover the rice by the width of two fingers (about 1 1/4 inches). You can also measure the water with cups. 
• You can make it as spicy or mild as you like, by increasing or reducing the amount of green chillies and chilli powder.

Linking this to these parties : A Round Tuit , Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop , Friday Favorites , Hookin Up with HoH , It’s a Keeper Thursday , It's a Party! , More The Merrier Monday , nifty thrifty sunday , Simply Link{Party} , Strut Your Stuff Saturday , Sundae Scoop , Tasty Tuesday Party , The Sunday Showcase Party , These Chicks Cooked Link Party , Think Pink Sundays , Tuesday Confessional Link Party , Tuesday Time Out Link Up Party , Weekend Show Off Party , Full Plate Thursday , SYS Blog Link Party , fridays unfolded , Freestyle Friday , Tuesday Talent Show , Delicately Constructed Friday! , Potpourri Party , Blog Stalking Thursday , Wicked Awesome Wednesday , Sweet Treats Thursday , Serenity Saturday , Shine On Fridays , Anything Goes Linky , Creative Juice Thursday , Frugal Days Sustainable Ways , Creative Monday , Foodie Friday , Show Your Stuff , Cast Party Wednesday , Recipe Round Up , Naturally-Nifty Party , Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday Link Party , Creative Thursday Link Party , {what's shakin' link party} , Passion Parade Fridays , Foodie Friday , Creative Corner Blog Hop , Thursday's treasures , Freedom Fridays , Showcase Your Talent Thursday , Whatcha' Whipped Up , Wednesday Adorned from Above Blog Hop , Fantastic Thursday! , Sunday Slice Weekly Link Party , GoodRecipesOnline.com

I was nominated for the Illuminating Blogger Award by Lauren, a passionate foodie from Girls Gone Food . This award is given to fellow bloggers for illuminating, informative blog content. Check here for more information.

Here are my nominations :

Wan at COOKING-VARIETIES 

Shobha at Food Mazaa 
Faseela of Good Food Ends With Good Talk

Urvashi at Go Bake Yourself

Sonali Pradhan at Only Fish Recipes

Jehanne at The Cooking Doctor

Please friends, accept this award and pass on to other blogger friends. Thank you so much Lauren for the nomination :)

Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoy the recipe!!!