Saffron Rice Recipe (Fragrant Golden Basmati)
Make fragrant golden saffron rice with bloomed saffron, ghee, whole spices and soaked basmati. Get the deepest colour and aroma, with exact ratio and steps.
The regional biryanis of India, from Hyderabadi dum to Lucknowi and Kolkata, plus the everyday rice dishes that go with every curry. Every recipe gives a rice-to-water ratio and tells you exactly when to drain.
Recipes developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan
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The recipes to cook first
Hyderabadi Dum BiryaniKacchi-style Hyderabadi dum- Lucknowi BiryaniFragrant, delicate Lucknowi
- Kolkata BiryaniWith potato and egg
- 9Jeera RiceFluffy cumin rice
- Saffron RiceGolden saffron basmati
- 9Tomato RiceTangy South Indian rice
Learn the technique
Guides behind these recipes
Quick answers
Biryani and Rice FAQ
What is dum cooking?
Sealing the pot and cooking on very low heat so the rice finishes in its own steam.
Why is my rice sticky?
Too much water or stirring after the rice goes in. Soak basmati and use a measured ratio.
How is Hyderabadi biryani different from Lucknowi?
Hyderabadi is spicier and often layered raw; Lucknowi is milder and more fragrant, made with cooked meat.
Every recipe
All biryani and rice recipes
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Tomato Rice Recipe (South Indian Tomato Bath)
Make tangy South Indian tomato rice with a mustard, curry leaf and urad dal tempering and a thick tomato masala. One-pot or leftover-rice methods.
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Ghee Rice Recipe (Kerala Style Neychoru)
Make fragrant Kerala ghee rice with short-grain or basmati rice, ghee, whole spices, fried onions, cashews and raisins. Exact ratio for fluffy grains.
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Jeera Rice Recipe (Perfect Cumin Rice)
Make fluffy restaurant-style jeera rice with soaked basmati, ghee and toasted cumin. Exact water ratio and steps for long, separate grains every time.
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Kofta Biryani Recipe (Soft Meatball Biryani)
Make kofta biryani with soft, juicy beef koftas that hold together through the dum. Kofta mix ratios, simmer method and layering, step by step.
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Moti Biryani Recipe (Pearl Kofta Biryani)
Make moti biryani with tiny pearl-sized koftas (moti) that stay round and juicy, layered with fragrant rice. Rolling tips and a quick fry-set method.
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Lucknowi Biryani Recipe (Awadhi Pukki Style)
Make fragrant Lucknowi (Awadhi) mutton biryani with yakhni-cooked rice, soft meat and gentle spices. The pukki method, explained step by step.
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Kolkata Biryani Recipe (Bengali Style with Aloo and Egg)
Make Kolkata biryani with the famous golden potato, boiled egg, soft mutton and light, fragrant rice. The Bengali method and its secret spice mix.
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Hyderabadi Dum Biryani Recipe (Kachchi Method)
Discover how to master Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, an iconic blend of flavors, with step-by-step guidance, authentic ingredients, and cooking secrets!
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Prawn Biryani Recipe (Juicy Karachi Jhinga Biryani)
Make prawn biryani with juicy, never rubbery prawns and a tangy coastal masala. Quick 50-minute Karachi jhinga biryani with clear timings.
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