Chicken biryani

Method

• step 1

  Soak 300g basmati rice in warm water, then wash in cold until the water runs clear.

• step 2

  Heat 25g butter in a saucepan and cook 1 finely sliced large onion with 1 bay leaf, 3 cardamom pods and 1 small cinnamon stick for 10 mins.

• step 3

  Sprinkle in 1 tsp turmeric, then add 4 chicken breasts, cut into large chunks, and 4 tbsp curry paste. Cook until aromatic.

• step 4

  Stir the rice into the pan with 85g raisins, then pour over 850ml chicken stock.

• step 5

  Place a tight-fitting lid on the pan and bring to a hard boil, then lower the heat to a minimum and cook the rice for another 5 mins.

• step 6

  Turn off the heat and leave for 10 mins. Stir well, mixing through 15g chopped coriander. To serve, scatter over the leaves of the remaining 15g coriander and 2 tbsp toasted almonds.