Biryani

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon saffron
• 4 teaspoons milk, warm
• 2 hot green chili peppers, as serranos -- seeded & stemmed
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 8 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1/4 teaspoon clove, ground
• 8 whole peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom seed
• 1 teaspoon coriander seed
• 1 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1/4 teaspoon poppy seed
• 1/4 teaspoon mace, ground
• 1/2 cup cilantro or 1/2 cup mint leaf
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 3 lbs boneless chicken, cut into 1 inch pieces
• salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ghee
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 8 large tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups basmati rice or 2 cups long-grain rice, uncooked
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup almonds
• 6 eggs, hard-boiled, halved