Indian Biryani with Chef Anchal Bhalla

We are thrilled to partner with Chef Anchal Bhalla, who will be Zooming in from New Delhi to teach us how to make a perfect biryani from scratch. She runs a popular cooking school in India, focusing on teaching travelers how to make classic Indian dishes. We are grateful for the technology that exists that allows us to join her from our own kitchens. 

Menu:

• Chicken or Vegetable Biryani
• Cucumber-Mint Raita

How these virtual classes work:

1. After registering, you will be sent a link to log into the class at the appointed date/time.
2. One day before the class you will be sent a copy of the recipes we'll be making, so you can cook from them again after the class
   
3. Classes are 90 minutes and will have a maximum of 10 households attending each session.
4. This is a great opportunity to cook alongside friends and family! You can invite them to register their own households to join in the class, using the link in your confirmation email.

Shopping List for Biryani

Because grocery shopping is not so easy these days, here is a sneak peek at what you will need in case that is helpful:

• Kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil or ghee 
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup whole milk yogurt 

SPICES: 1 teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon coriander, 2 teaspoon garam masala, 3 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 bay leaf, 3 cardamom pods, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon saffron threads (optional) -- we can mail you a spice kit if you prefer not to buy all these separately ($20). 

• 1 pound chicken thighs on the bone OR 1 ½ pounds assorted vegetables (zucchini, sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots), cut in ½-inch dice
• 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes in cold water
• 1 large onion
• 1 medium cucumber (preferably Persian cucumbers or seedless)
• 1 medium tomato
• 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 green chiles (or jalapenos)
• 1 bunch fresh mint
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro