Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion , sliced
4 cardamom seeds
4 whole cloves
2 pieces cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon fresh gingerroot , minced ( or 1/2 tsp ground , dried )
4 garlic cloves , crushed
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
2 lbs fresh hake , diced ( or any firm , white-fleshed fish , like tilapia )
salt
1 teaspoon garam masala
6 small potatoes , peeled
1 cup long grain rice ( uncooked )
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 cup red lentil ( uncooked )
4 hard-boiled eggs ( optional )
Cape Malay Fish Biryani is a fragrant, flavorful, and spiced-up South African dish, representing the fusion of South Asian and African flavors. The dish is an excellent one-pot meal, featuring fish fillets, basmati rice, potatoes, red lentils, and a medley of spices, including turmeric, ginger, cloves, and cardamom. This dish is a perfect blend of taste, nutrition, and convenience, and it is a perfect choice to be cooked on any celebratory and occasional days, as it is a crowd-pleaser. The biryani is a hearty and warming dish with subtle flavors and a slow-cooked complexity. It takes much time to cook, but it is worth it, and it is the perfect dish for any food enthusiast who wants to taste a perfect blend of spices and balanced ingredients.

Instructions

1.Preheat your oven to 180C.
2.Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, and fry the onion for 3-4 minutes until soft.
3.Add the cardamom, whole cloves, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, fennel seed, cumin, coriander, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of garam masala to the pan, and fry for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
4.Add the diced fish to the pan, and fry until just cooked through. Season with salt and an additional teaspoon of garam masala.
5.Boil the potatoes in salted water for around 12 minutes until cooked through. Drain and set aside.
6.Wash the rice in cold water until the water runs clear, then place it in a pot with 2 cups of water, the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and the turmeric. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the rice is cooked through.
7.Cook the red lentils in boiling salted water for around 8-10 minutes until they have softened.
8.To assemble the biryani, layer the fish mixture, potatoes, and rice in a large ovenproof dish. Top with the cooked lentils and halved hard-boiled eggs (optional).
9.Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for around 30-35 minutes until heated through.

PROS

This dish is a delicious and exotic blend of spices and ingredients.

The fish and lentils provide a good source of protein, and the spices offer numerous health benefits.

CONS

The dish can be quite time-consuming to prepare, with numerous ingredients and steps.

It features carbs and fat, which should be taken in moderation.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

The Cape Malay Fish Biryani contains numerous beneficial spices such as ginger, turmeric, garlic, and cinnamon which provide significant anti-inflammatory properties.
It also provides good sources of protein and fibers, which promote healthy muscle growth and a healthy digestive system.

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