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As being the final word of my Ragu Mom’s The Word on Dinner ambassadorship I thought it perfect to have my last party recipe to be one of my favorites. It is for a Christmas party and a briyani is normally considered a royal dish so I thought why not have that for my party dish. Oh, and I won’t miss leaving something for my readers, there’s $300 up for grabs, that’s right 3 of you will take home a $100 giftcard, see Mommy Niri has something special under your tree too.
The one thing about briyani is that it normally takes a lot of time. Sure some people just throw together rice and a curry and call it a briyani but that is really a poor excuse for a briyani. This is the dish I reserve for celebrations and one that I just can’t stop eating. In fact when I was watching my weight I used to beg my mom not to make it because I just could not stop eating. The other good thing about briyani (one of several) is that it stores well. Which means you can make it the day before and I really feel it tastes better that way since the flavors infuse better.
Since I am not about to intimidate you with the elaborate version I will describe to you the simpler version so that you can try to make it too. Also you can make any type of briyani you want chicken, fish, lamb etc all based on what you have. One of my favorites used to be lamb briyani, but when I became a vegetarian paneer (a type of homemade cheese block) briyani was my staple. A year ago in an attempt to possibly go gluten free (hoping that it may support my daughter with Autism’s diet) I re-introduced meat back into my diet. So I decided to go with a chicken briyani.
Breast chicken may work easier for most but I personally prefer a whole chicken to cut up, always funny which piece I may with. So here is a simplistic way that I cook it. I cook basmati rice (aromatic long grain rice) with a lentil (we call massoor but you can find it in any Indian spice store or Whole Foods) – this is pictured above. I cheat and use the microwave, it cooks to perfection there. In a decently heavy sized pot with canola oils I saute chopped onions, crushed garlic and slivers of ginger. To that I add spice (in powder form): cayenne pepper, cumin and coriander. If you can get garam masala from an Indian store then do, but also add whole cinnamon sticks, save yourself from using ground one, the favor is better with sticks plus they keep the flavor longer. Let that roast for just a very short while and then add a cup or two of Ragu traditional sauce. I love that the tomato flavor adds some sweetness to the spice.
The reason I am not stating quantities is that you can adjust to your personal preference. As the tomato roasts and softens add the chicken pieces. I also add some peas as I love the mix of color. Let cook on med-low temperature until done. When done I add fresh cilantro and then layer it with the rice. On the top I add a little bit of ghee (clarified butter), regular butter would do too. I omitted a few ingredients I woud use since I did not want it to intimidate you from trying to make it.
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To win tell me what is your best holiday dish? Winner chose by random.org. USA only.Please DO NOT leave your email address within the comment!!!). Contest closes 31st December 2011.
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My best holiday dish is pumpkin pie.
pasta salad
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
I like egg nog the best.
My favorite holiday dish is snowball cookies – we only make them around Christmas
Everyone begs me to make cake.
I love egg nog
Best holiday dish is actually cookies.. Linzer Tarts
Stuffing by far is my favorite
my best holiday dish is deviled eggs!
My best dish is this pasta side dish I love to make for the Holidays!
My best dish is my homemade cranberry sauce – a family request every year!
Sweet Potato Cassarole
My best holiday dish is cheddar mashed potatoes.
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
I like making cheesy potatoes and dessert of cool whip and jello
vmkids3 at msn dot com
green bean caserole
I make a mean 7-Layer Jello salad…my nephew isn’t happy unless I bring it on the holidays.
Sweet potato pecan pie
my turkey
My best holiday dish is my cornbread dressing. Thanks for the chance!
My best holiday dish is yummy, comfy and easy to make sweet potato souffle!
My best holiday dish is my beef brisket.
Gotta be my pumpkin cheesecake, yum!
I like the turkey!
I make tasty chocolate chip cookies and serve with egg nog
Everyone always asks me to make Cheesy Potatoes or Mexican Layer Dip!
Apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream
I always make goat cheese salad. It is so good! It’s goat cheese breaded and served on a spinach salad with walnuts!
My best Hoilday dish is dressing. I make it completely from scratch very yummy
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Bananas and Honey from foodnetwork.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/whipped-sweet-potatoes-and-bananas-with-honey-recipe2/index.html
Potato salad!!
My best holiday dish is Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon. Yum!
My best holiday dish is Home made Mashed potatoes! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
My best holiday dish is breakfast quiche!
My favorite holiday dish that I prepare is my Party Potatoes, so easy, yet so good.
My best holiday dish is Pumpkin Trifle. Its made with homemade whipped cream, gingerbread and pumpkin pie mix. So yummy!
I like to make a turkey and pumpkin pie.
My best is my homemade dinner rolls. Are rolls a dish? I often eat them exclusively for my breakfast, so I think they are a dish.
my best holiday dish is deviled eggs
ice box cake. equal parts ground vanilla wafers, sweetened condensed milk, chopped walnuts, and raisins. leave to set in freezer one hour. refridgerate after.
Cranberry Fudge- it’s so yummy and rich! You can only eat one piece at a time. As far as the rest of the meal goes my party dish is sushi- very adaptable for any group or celebration.
My best holiday dish is cheesy broccoli casserole!
I love making rosettes!
deviled eggs or cranberry relish
marygardner49 at aol dot com
My favorite dish, is this awesome snowball cake my sister makes. She is a great cook!
Cranberry tartlets are always a hit
Fresh Pumpkin pie… from a real pumpkin, not canned
i just made a chocolate cake that was a huge hit with my family..i’m thinking that might be it right now
It would be my baked potato salad.
I’m really a pro at appetizers! I make a mean spinach artichoke dip, stuffed mushrooms, and potato skins.
nancymeyer1 at gmail.com
Lasagna
I don’t cook for the holidays. I guess no one trusts my cooking. lol I’m always in charge of bringing the paper products. I like to make puppy chow and no bake oatmeal cookies. Thank you!
My best holiday dish is pumpkin cheesecake. Yummy.
My best holiday dish is Pumpkin Roll-Up! Yumm!
My best holiday dish is my sweet potato casserole
My best holiday dish is deviled eggs or pumpkin pie!
My best holiday dish is homemade flan.
best is slovish pastries filled with nuts
Mashed potatoes
best holiday dish is sweet potato pie
Toffee sugar cookies.
My best holiday dish is Sweet Potato Casserole.
flourless chocolate cake
Gingerbread pancakes!
Our favorite Holiday dish is Baked Ham made in bread dough. the ham stays so moist and tasty.
I make an amazing sweet potato pie.
Everyone always asks for my baked macaroni and cheese.
I love how you gave your recipe. I usually look up several recipes for what I want to make just to get the idea of the how to’s and what other people use. Then I come up with my own, lol.
my favorite is greenbean casserole
I love making oreo balls and my special pasta salad =)
Pumpkin cream pie, you buy the precooked pumpkin pie filling, add seasoning and a tub of cool whip, mix and spread into a graham cracker crust. .
green bean casserole
I make a great chocolate yule log
love the brown sugar glazed ham
love the glazed ham
Pumpkin rolls are my specialty.
My best holiday dish is my sausage stuffing.
My best holiday dish is hot chocolate
ham and mashed potatoes thanks
My best and favorite holiday dish is Pumpkin Pie!
Thank You!
I make toffee, friends and family love it and unbeknownst to them, it’s so easy to make !
The dish I like making the most is a mexican tortilla soup – the dish I like eating the most is fudge
!!
Corn Souffle!
pumpkin pie is my best
My best dish is my rum cake. It’s so good. It’s the most moist cake I’ve ever eaten. Everyone always asks me to make it every year.
I make an awesome sweet potato casserole!
my best holiday dish is cream puffs
Cream Puffs
1. In a medium saucepan combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to boiling. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously. Cook and stir till mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat. Cool for 10 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon after each addition.
2. Drop dough by 12 heaping tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet. Bake in a 400*F oven for 30-35 minutes or till golden. Cool on a wire rack.
3. Cut tops from puffs; remove soft dough from inside. Fill with whipped cream, pudding, or ice cream. Replace tops. If desired, sift powdered sugar over tops. Makes 12 cream puffs.
1 c water
1/2 c butter
1/8 tsp salt
1 c all-purpose flour
4 eggs
Whipped cream, pudding, or ice cream
Powdered sugar (optional)
My best holiday dish is probably sweet potatoes!
I am the queen of gravy
My best holiday dish is homemade Parker House Rolls with Honey Butter!
green bean casserole
roast beef with grilled veggy
My favorite holiday dish is my mom’s (recipe gotten from my grandmother) stuffing. I get it for Thanksgiving and sometimes for Christmas. I’ve finally learned how to make it so that it’s pretty close to the “right” taste so I’m happy about that.
–Katharina
pumpkin cheesecake
cheesecake
My dish is my mashed potatoe medley. It’s actually a meal in itself and my kids love it. It’s become a holiday only treat because it takes me so much time to make it
Stuffing for sure!
I make really good dressing, both oyster and regular bread dressing, and I also make a killer cheese ball
Pizza Puffs – easy to make, easy to eat and a hit with the kids.
Cranberry whip!
I make a great spinach dip.
My best dish is my crab dip. Everyone begs me to make it.
My best holiday dish is cornish hen and dressing.
chocolate chip nut cookies
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
My best holiday dish is a dessert. I get peppermint stick Golden Spoon frozen yogurt and the night before, I pour it into an oreo cookie pie crust and top it off with crushed candy canes. Then you just pop it into the freezer for the next day. It’s SO good, but actually not so bad for you! Thanks.
green bean casserole
My best holiday dish is a christmas noel chocolate cake log.
My best is cheesecake of various types.
my best holiday dish is my ham with my mom’s receipe of homemade mustard sauce, yum!
Roast lamb
Turkey
Pumpkin Pie with whipped Cream
Spinach casserole
Stuffing
Apple pie with vanilla ice cream
pumpkin pie
A local dish called banana croquets….basically a homemade sweet/sour sauce that you dip bananas in and then roll in crushed peanuts.
Turkey and Dressing is my favorite.
I love making homemade sausage stuffing for the holidays
my best dish is probably great tasting deviled eggs.
brich22 at earthlink dot net
I make an awesome pecan pie!
my favorite holiday dish is a crab dip my aunt makes, I also love eggnog cheesecake.
My best dish is my cherry cheesecake.
My best dish is a spinach and potato bake. It is basically just mashed potatoes with sour cream, chives, garlic, and spinach mixed in then topped with a bunch of cheddar cheese. Pretty simple but really yummy!
sausage apple & cranberry stuffing!
It’s not so much a dish as a yearly gift of home made fudge.
My favorite dish is my aunts jello salad with green jello cottage cheese pineapple and coolwhip… Oh so good…
My best dish is my baked apples & pork chops.
My hot clam chip dip.
Thanks for the contest.
My best holiday dish is veggie lasagna
My best holiday dish are my garlicky vegan mashed potatoes. They are so yummy!
Pumpkin pie
Prime Rib! Yuuummmm
Soft sugar cookies.