Cornish Hen Biryani

• 2 teaspoons saffron threads
• 3 tablespoons hot milk
• 3 cups basmati rice, washed
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 cups plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh coriander leaves
• 1 to 2 hot green chilies, thinly sliced
• 4 2-inch cinnamon sticks
• 12 cardamom pods
• 10 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 medium onions: 2 halved lengthwise and thinly sliced; 1 finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 Cornish hens, legs halved and breasts quartered
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup golden raisins, plumped in hot water and drained
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• Freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Heat a small skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the saffron and stir until it turns a few shades darker.
3. Place the milk in a small cup and crumble in the saffron.
4. Let stand for 3 hours.
5. Place the rice in a large bowl, cover with water, stir in 1 tablespoon of the salt and let stand for 3 hours.
6. Place the ginger and garlic in a blender with 2 tablespoons of water and blend to a fine paste, stopping several times to scrape the sides of the jar.
7. Place the yogurt in a bowl and stir in the mint, coriander and chilies.
8. Divide the cinnamon sticks, cardamom, cloves and bay leaves into 2 equal parts.
9. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
10. Working in 2 batches, fry the sliced onions until crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes per batch.
11. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
12. Pour off all but 2 teaspoons of oil.
13. Place half the spice mixture in the skillet, stir once and add the cumin seeds.
14. Stir once and add the chopped onion.
15. Cook until the edges begin to brown, then stir in the ginger mixture.
16. Stir for 1 minute.
17. Add the hens in 2 batches and cook until browned.
18. With the hens in the skillet, lower the heat and stir in half of the yogurt mixture, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, half the almonds, half the raisins, the lemon juice, ground cumin, cayenne and 1/4 cup of water.
19. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes.
20. Uncover and stir in half the fried onions.
21. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce is thick and the meat is just tender, about 10 minutes.
22. Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste.
23. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
24. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
25. Meanwhile, place the hen mixture into a large, ovenproof pot.
26. Stir 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 2 teaspoons of saffron milk into the remaining yogurt.
27. Spread over the hen mixture.
28. Drain the rice and place in the boiling water with the remaining spice mixture.
29. Boil until almost tender, about 7 to 8 minutes.
30. Drain and place over the yogurt mixture.
31. Working quickly, make a well in center of rice and pour in remaining saffron milk.
32. Cover with a damp dishcloth, then foil, then a lid.
33. Bake for 30 minutes.
34. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes longer.
35. To serve, stir the mixture to combine and season with more salt if needed.
36. Place on a large platter and garnish with remaining fried onions, almonds and raisins.

saffron threads, hot milk, basmati rice, salt, fresh ginger, garlic, yogurt, mint leaves, fresh coriander leaves, green chilies, cinnamon sticks, pods, cloves, bay leaves, vegetable oil, onions, cumin seeds, cornish hens, slivered almonds, golden raisins, lemon juice, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, freshly ground pepper

Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/3953 (may not work)