Yakhni pulao

Yakhni pulao is a traditional rice-based dish with Persian origins, but over the years it's made its way from Moghul cuisine to India, where it's especially popular in regions such as Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh. The yakhni stock can be made with chicken or mutton. The list of ingredients for yakhni pulao is a long one as it contains basmati rice, chicken or mutton, onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, dahi, and spices such as fennel, cardamom, garam masala, red chili powder, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, mace, bay leaves, black peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon. The stock is made with most of the spices, salt, and either chicken or mutton. The onions, cumin, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, red chili powder, and coriander are tempered in oil with the addition of yogurt and garam masala, and the combination is then mixed with pieces of meat, yakhni stock, and basmati rice, which is cooked until done. It's recommended to serve this pulao with raita on the side.