A fragrant and flavorful biryani featuring shrimp, mussels, and calamari layered with saffron-infused basmati rice.

soaked and drained
threads
sliced
chopped
peeled and deveined
cleaned and debearded
cleaned and sliced into rings
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak it in water for 15 minutes and then drain.
In a small bowl, soak saffron threads in 3 tablespoons of warm water and set aside.
In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the soaked, drained rice. Cook until the rice is 75% cooked, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until golden brown. Remove half the onions and set aside for topping.
To the skillet, add chopped tomatoes, turmeric, paprika, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil separates from the mixture.
Add the seafood to the skillet: shrimp, mussels, and calamari. Cook until the seafood is just cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
In a heavy-bottomed pot, layer half of the partially cooked rice. Sprinkle half of the saffron water over the rice.
Layer the seafood mixture over the rice, followed by the remaining rice. Drizzle the remaining saffron water on top.
Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid or seal the pot with aluminum foil and place the lid on top to ensure no steam escapes. Cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together ('dum' technique).
Remove the pot from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the biryani with a fork and garnish with the reserved fried onions before serving.

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