Prawns Biryani in Microwave-Jhinga Biryani in Microwave

Prawns Biryani is a delectable one-pot meal that combines flavorful long grain cooked rice, succulent prawns cooked in subtly spiced and aromatic gravy and slow cooked till perfection following magical Dum method of cooking. Sit back and witness the magic of Biryani unravel on the awestruck faces of your family.

It’s middle of the week and I am struck with the bout of one-pot meal cooking, which is usually reserved for weekends, quite early into this week. While Biryani is a perfect option for a One-Pot meal, by no means it can be termed as a quick meal option unless you make it in Microwave . What I love about making food in microwave is the fact that it makes the tedious and elaborate recipes like Biryani an easy job. Trust me I was done with this Biryani in just 30 mins and it was at par with Biryani cooked by conventional way of cooking.  We have made Mumbai Jhinga Biryani which is a bit more elaborate in terms of ingredients and preparation and follows conventional method of cooking.

We have cooked rice and prawns separately and combined them together in layers in a sealed Microwave safe bowl emulating Dum method of cooking.

An important point that deserves to be mentioned is about cooking time in microwave. We have often received queries enquiring about cooking time that must be observed when quantity of meal gets doubled or halved. Here’s a quick pointer that can help.

It needs approx. 12 minutes to cook 200 gms of rice on 900 watts of Power. However, if you double the quantity of rice, keeping power levels unchanged, the cooking time must be increased in increments of 50% (e.g. For 400 gms rice, cooking time must be 18 mins). On the contrary if the quantity of rice is halved, then the time must be reduced by 40%.

We have demonstrated cooking of prawns in step-by-step method in the video. I would urge you to go through the video for enhanced clarity. If you are making Biryani or for that matter have just begun experimenting with your Microwave, then try to follow the recipe to the core without altering the quantity and when you get comfortable with your microwave and its varying power levels then you can start making adjustments on your own. Pondering about the different power levels, then hop over to google and search for “Microwave Power Chart” which will let you adjust the cooking time in the recipe according to the wattage level of your microwave.

Make this delicious Jhinga Biryani in microwave in just 30 mins and enjoy this delicacy with your family over the weekend lunch. When you are done with your lunch and your weekend nap, remember to share your feedback with us in comment section below. I love to hear from my readers and viewers. Keep your lovely comments flowing in 🙂

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Prawns Biryani in Microwave-Jhinga Biryani in Microwave

Prep time:  30 mins

Cook time:  30 mins

Total time:  1 hour

Serves: 3-4

Ingredients

• 1 Cup=200 gms Long Grain Basmati Rice
• 1-inch Cinnamon stick
• 2 Green Cardamom
• 4 Cloves
• 1 Black Cardamom
• 1 star anise
• 1 Bay leaf
• Cooking Oil
• Salt
• Water
• 250 gms Prawns (Large)-Peeled and deveined
• 1 Large=100gms Onions-finely chopped
• 1 Large=100gms Tomatoes-finely chopped
• ½ Cup=125 gms Curd-whisked
• ½ Cup fresh Coriander Leaves-finely chopped
• 1 Cup Brown Onions
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Lemon Juice
• 2 Green Chilies-finely chopped
• 2 tsp Red Chili Powder (spicy/or Kashmiri)
• 1 tsp dry Coriander Powder
• 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
• 2 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste

Instructions

1. We have washed and cleaned rice. Soak rice in water for 30 mins. Keep the rice aside. Let's marinate prawns. In a bowl, put prawns. Add Turmeric Powder, lemon juice and some Salt. Mix well. Allow prawns to marinate for 15 mins.
2. Let's now cook rice. Drain water from rice and transfer it to a Microwave safe bowl. This bowl comes with a lid. We have taken 1 cup of rice and hence we will take 2 cups of water
3. Add 1 tsp Cooking Oil. Oil ensures that rice remains fluffy after cooking. Add whole spices-Bay leaf, Star anise, Black Cardamom, Cinnamon sticks, Cloves and Green Cardamom. Add Salt, so that cooked rice does not taste bland in Biryani. Mix well. Let's put the bowl in Microwave
4. a) Mode:- Micro b) Power: High (900W) c) Timer:- 12 mins d) Press Start. Cook uncovered for 7 mins and then Cook covered for 5 mins
5. Place the lid on the bowl after 7 mins. Press Start.
6. Remove from Microwave and spread the cooked rice in a large plate. Remove all whole spices from the cooked rice. This saves one from chewing into spices while eating Biryani. Keep this aside and Let's take the Microwave safe bowl
7. In the bowl, put 3 tbsp Cooking Oil. Add chopped Green Chilies and chopped Onions and mix well. Keep the bowl in Microwave for 3 mins
8. a) Mode:- Micro b) Power: High (900W) c) Timer:- 3 mins d) Press Start Cook uncovered
9. Onions become soft in 3 mins. Add Ginger-Garlic paste and mix well. Place the bowl in Microwave for 2 mins
10. a) Mode:- Micro b) Power: High (900W) c) Timer:- 2 mins d) Press Start Cook uncovered
11. After 2 mins, remove and add chopped Tomatoes. Add all dry spices powder-red chili powder, garam masala powder, dry coriander powder. Add Salt to taste and mix well. Cover and cook in Microwave for 4 mins
12. a) Mode:- Micro b) Power: High (900W) c) Timer:- 4 mins d) Press Start Cook Covered
13. Tomatoes have cooked well now and have become mushy. Add whisked curd. Mix curd with the masala. Cover and Cook in Microwave for 3 mins
14. a) Mode:- Micro b) Power: High (900W) c) Timer:- 3 mins d) Press Start Cook Covered
15. Remove bowl from the microwave after 3 mins. We can see the Oil oozing out. Now add marinated prawns and mix well. Cover and Cook in Microwave for 3 mins
16. a) Mode:- Micro b) Power: High (900W) c) Timer:- 3 mins d) Press Start Cook Covered
17. Remove bowl from microwave after 3 mins. Uncover the bowl. Wow, aroma from cooked prawns is irresistible. Prawns have cooked well and we need this gravy for Biryani layering
18. For layering Biryani, we have taken a large 1.75liter Microwave safe bowl. Add some Oil and grease the bottom and sides of the container with this Oil.
19. First layer will be of prawns. Add half quantity Prawns. Add brown Onions and chopped Coriander leaves. Add half quantity rice and layer it evenly.
20. Add remaining Prawns gravy and spread. Add Brown Onions, chopped Coriander and remaining rice. Finally add some more brown Onions and chopped Coriander leaves. Take a wet cloth. Squeeze out any excess water. Put it on top of bowl. Place the lid on top. Seal and Cook in Microwave now
21. a) Mode:- Micro b) Power: High (900W) c) Timer:- 3 mins d) Press Start Cook Covered
22. After 3 mins, give a standing time of 2 mins. After 2 mins, serve hot
23. Make this super quick Biryani in 30 mins for your weekend lunch

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Click to watch recipe video