Malabar Fish Biryani: A Mildly Spiced Delight
1 hour 10 minutes
953 reads

About Malabar Fish Biryani: A Mildly Spiced Delight
This Malabar-style Fish Biryani recipe offers a delightful twist on a classic, creating a dish that's both flavorful and surprisingly mild. Even children will enjoy its gentle spice level, making it a perfect family meal. The vibrant colors and aromatic fragrance add to its irresistible appeal.My husband, a self-proclaimed biryani fanatic, absolutely adored this recipe! I used parrot fish (Pachai Elimeen in Tamil), known for its minimal bones, which is ideal for this biryani. Don't be intimidated by the ingredient list; this recipe is surprisingly simple to follow.Prepare to be amazed by the delicious outcome!
Recipe Time & More
Prep30 minutes
Cook40 minutes
Total1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
Fish & Marinate
Rice & Aromatics
- 300 gm Rice basmati rice, long grain, rinsed
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 3 Star Anise
- 4 Cloves
- 1 stick Cinnamon approximately 1 inch
- 2 Cardamom pods
Vegetables & Garnishes
Nuts & Dairy
- 10 Cashews
- 0.5 cup Yogurt or curd
- 2 tbsp Coconut grated
- 2 tsp Poppy Seeds
Fats & Oils
- 2 tbsp Oil for frying
- 2 tbsp Clarified Butter
Other
- 2 cup Water for cashew paste and layering
Instructions
Prepare the Fish
- Clean and cut the fish into 2-inch pieces. In a bowl, combine 0.5 tsp turmeric powder, 2 tsp chili powder, 2 tsp coriander powder, 0.25 tsp fenugreek powder, salt, and 1 tbsp oil. Mix well, ensuring no lumps remain. Marinate the fish in this mixture for at least 1 hour.
Prepare the Rice
- Wash and drain the basmati rice. In a pot, bring water to a boil. Add bay leaves, star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods. Add the rice and cook until it is about 75% done (still slightly firm). Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Spice Paste and Cashew Mixture
- Grind green chilies, garlic, and ginger into a fine paste. Soak cashews in water for 10 minutes. Drain and blend with grated coconut and poppy seeds until smooth.
Fry the Fish
- Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the marinated fish until it is about 75% cooked. Remove and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics and Spices
- Heat oil and ghee in a large pan. Add remaining whole spices (if any), and sauté until fragrant. Add chopped coriander and mint leaves, cooking until they darken slightly.
Cook Onions and Tomatoes
- Add the chopped onions and the green chili paste. Cook until onions turn golden brown. Add turmeric powder and salt, cooking until the raw smell disappears. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until mushy.
Simmer the Sauce
- Stir in the yogurt and cook for 5 minutes. Pour in the cashew paste and 2 cups of water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook until the raw smell is gone.
Combine Fish and Rice
- Gently add the partially fried fish to the sauce. Simmer for a few minutes until the oil separates. In a large, wide-bottomed vessel, layer the steamed rice, then the fish and sauce mixture. Repeat layers, ending with rice. Sprinkle ½ cup of water over the top layer.
Steam the Biryani
- Cover tightly with a lid (a heavy weight on top helps). Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Gently stir, being careful not to break the fish. Garnish with deep-fried cashews.
Recipe Notes
Expert Tips for the Perfect Malabar Fish Biryani
- For an extra-flavorful biryani, use homemade spice blends for a deeper, more complex aroma.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder to your preferred spice level. Start with less and add more to taste.
- Don't overcook the rice. It should be slightly firm to the bite for best results.
- Allow the biryani to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Recipe Nutrition
Calories: 523kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 28gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 642mgPotassium: 692mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 475IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 132mgIron: 3mg
3 Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.


This looks so good! Can’t wait to cook it.
Such a flavorful dish! Can’t wait to taste it.
What a flavorful dish! Thanks for sharing.