What is shazeera spice?!
Answers: usually this ingredient is used in hyderabadi biriyani, what does it looks like ?
Sahzeera or Shahi jeera is called Caraway seeds in english. It looks like normal jeera or cumin seeds except for being slightly longer and is brownish black in colour. It is used in rice dishes in Hyderabad, Kashmir, etc and gives a sweet/nutty flavour to the dish. It is a constituent of Panch Poran, the five spice mix of west Bengal
Caraway seeds
Shazeera (Kala jeera) or Caraway seeds
Can be used to make Lentil Dal :
Dal Makhani
Ingredients
1 cup of Masoor Dal (Lentil Dal) 1 Onion ( 2 if the size is small) 1 Tomato 5-6 Green Chillies (add the chillies according to your taste) 2-3 tbsp of Vegetable oil. 2-3 tbsp of Ghee 1/2 tsp of Garlic paste 1 tsp of Shazeera (Kala jeera or Caraway seeds) 2 Cardamom 2 Cinnamon Chilli Powder (add it only if necessary) Salt to taste 2-3 cups of water.
Method:
Cook the Massor Dal (Lentil Dal) in a pressure cooker till you listen 2 whistles and then keep it aside. Do not overcook the Dal. In a pan heat the oil. When hot add the garlic paste and let it fry for a while. Later add the onions & green chillies. Fry them till they are golden brown. And then finally add the tomatoes. When onions, green chillies & tomatoes are well cooked keep them aside & allow this mixture to cool. Once the mixture is cool grind it into a smooth paste and keep it aside. Also grind Shazeera & Cinnamon into fine powder separately and keep it aside. In another pan add ghee & heat it. Once hot add cardamom and then the powdered mixture of Shazeera & cinnamon. Allow it to splutter. Then add the cooked massor dal along with 2-3 cups of water (You can add more amount of water according to the consistency you want). Bring it to boil. And then add the fine smooth paste (onions + green chillies + tomatoes) to the masoor dal. Stir the whole mixture well & boil for about 5 minutes. Finally add the salt. (Add chilli powder only if the spicy taste is reduced otherwise it's not required). Garnish with coriander & serve hot. Preparation time : 30-40 min. Servings : 4.