Basic Biryani

Directions

1. 1
   In a large bowl rinse the rice with cold water several times until the water runs clear and then drain well.
2. 2
   In a large non-stick pan, melt butter at medium high heat and gently fry the onion and ginger together. Add the whole cumin seeds and fry til they just start to pop. Then add all the ground spices and cook for an additional few minutes.
3. 3
   Add the damp rice, stir to thoroughly coat the rice grains with butter and spices and until any residual water has evaporated, then pour everything into a casserole dish with a lid. Add the whole herbs and spices to the casserole. Use a bit of the broth to rinse out the pan and pour the contents into the casserole dish. Add the rest of the broth.
4. 4
   Bake covered at 350 deg F for 30-35 min or until the rice is tender. Fluff lightly with a fork and serve.
5. 5
   Variation: Add 3/4-1 pound of cooked diced chicken, left-over fish chunks or other seafood to the top of the casserole dish in the last 10-15 min of cooking to warm through.
6. 6
   Note: If you don't have any chicken broth, bring 2 cups of water to boiling with 1 chicken bouillon cube. Use vegetable stock if you want to keep this vegetarian. Use seafood broth if you're doing a fishy variation.
7. 7
   Note: Remember how many cloves, cardamom pods, bay leaves and cinnamon sticks you used so you can fish them out before serving your dish as you don't want any unpleasant surprises.