Biryani Quantity for 15: Recipe and Preparation Guide

Biryani is a beloved South Asian dish known for its rich flavor and aromatic spices. Whether you are planning a dinner for a family gathering or a social event with 15 people, it is essential to prepare the right amount of ingredients to ensure everyone is satisfied.

General Guidelines for Preparing Biryani for 15 People

Preparing biryani for a larger crowd involves scaling up the recipe and the amount of ingredients you will need. Here is a general guideline for a traditional biryani that will serve 15 people:

Basin of Rice

- Basmati Rice: Approximately 3.5 to 4.5 cups (750-900 grams of uncooked rice). This typically yields about 7 to 9 cups of cooked rice.

Meat or Vegetables

- Meat (Chicken, Beef, Lamb, etc.): Around 2.5 to 3 kg (5.5 to 6.5 lbs) of meat. For a vegetarian biryani, you might use 1.5 to 2 kg (3.3 to 4.4 lbs) of vegetables or paneer.

Spices and Seasoning

- Onions: About 4 to 5 large onions, thinly sliced and fried or sautéed.

- Tomatoes: 3 to 4 medium tomatoes, chopped.

- Yogurt: 1 to 1.5 cups (250-375 grams) to marinate the meat and add to the rice.

- ginger-garlic paste: 3 to 4 tablespoons.

- Biryani Masala: 2 to 3 tablespoons, adjust based on brand and strength.

- Whole Spices: Such as bay leaves, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, etc.: Typically a small handful of each.

- Ground Spices: Such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, etc.: 1 to 2 teaspoons each, adjusted to taste.

- Fresh Herbs: Such as cilantro and mint: A large bunch of each, chopped.

- Ghee or Oil: About 1 cup (250 ml) for frying the onions and cooking.

- Saffron: Optional, but if used, about 1/4 teaspoon soaked in 1/4 cup of warm milk for color and flavor.

- Lemon Juice: 2 to 3 tablespoons for added tanginess.

- Cashews and Raisins: Optional, about 1/2 cup of each.

Preparation Steps

1. Marinate the Meat: Mix the meat with yogurt, spices, and a portion of the fried onions. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.

2. Cook the Rice: Parboil the rice with whole spices until it is 70-80% cooked.

3. Cook the Meat: Sauté the meat with spices and onions until almost cooked.

4. Layering: In a large pot, layer the meat and rice, adding saffron milk, fresh herbs, and fried onions between layers.

5. Final Cooking: Steam the layers together on low heat dum cooking for about 30-40 minutes.

This should give you enough biryani for 15 people with some additional portions for larger appetites or second servings. Adjust the quantities as needed based on specific preferences or recipes.

Key Points to Consider:

Ensure you have sufficient rice and meat to serve everyone. Consider marinating the meat overnight for better flavor. Use aromatics like saffron and fresh herbs to enhance the taste and presentation. Adjust the quantities based on your guests' appetites and preferences.

Prepared in this manner, you can provide a delicious and satisfying biryani that will be enjoyed by all guests. Whether you are hosting a family gathering or a social event, this guideline will help you prepare the perfect amount of biryani for 15 people. Happy cooking!