Duck Leg Biryani

Not long after I made the Keralan Style Mutton Biryani, I adapted the recipe for this version and it worked particularly well. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Duck Leg Biryani 
Ingredients :
Biryani masala blend
Cinnamon sticks 2
Cardamom green 8
Cardamom black: 2
Cloves: 6
Caraway seeds : 1 tsp
Fennel seeds : 1 tsp
Bay Leaves : 1
Star Anise : 1
Nutmeg 1/2
Fenugreek seeds 1/4 tsp
Mace : 4
Duck legs 4
Biryani masala : 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
250g green beans
Masala sauce
Onion 4 thinly sliced
Tomatoes : 3 chopped
Green chillies 4 chopped
Ginger paste 2 tbsp
Garlic paste: 2 tbsp
Biryani masala : 1 tsp
Red chilli powder 1 tsp
Coriander powder 2 tbsp
Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
Coconut oil: 2 tbsp
Rice
long grain rice 2 cups
Cloves 4
Cardamom, green 4
Cinnamon stick 1
Bay leaves : 1
Salt to taste
Garnish
Cashew nuts
2 large onions, thinly sliced and fried till crisp
Coriander 1 small handful, chopped
Saffron 1 pinch

Method:
Start by heating a heavy based dry frying pan, add all biryani masala spice blend and gently roast until the spice aroma has developed. Remove the spices from the heat, place in a heavy-duty spice grinder and grind to a fine blend.

Prepare the duck legs by removing the skin and sprinkling 1 tablespoon of biryani masala blend and season with salt. heat some coconut oil in a heavy bottomed pan and brown the duck legs. remove froth pan and keep to one side.

Make the Masala sauce in the heavy based pan, which has a tight fitting lid you will need this later; add the cashew nuts and fry until golden, remove and keep to one side. Add the sliced onions and fry until soft and golden, add the ginger, garlic and chilies, fry until browned. Then add the chopped tomatoes and cook down, add a splash of water to stop the sauce from sticking. Add the remaining masala spices, season with salt and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Now add the browned duck legs and half of the chopped herbs to the masala sauce and combine, add another splash of water if the mixture look dry. Cover and cook over a low heat for 45 minutes adding a little water from time to time to reduce the risk of the masala sauce sticking.

Pre heat the oven to 180c

While the duck legs are cooking prepare the rice, first wash the rice and drain. Heat a teaspoon of coconut oil in a pan; add the rice spices to the oil and temper. Add the drained rice to the spices with 4 cups of water and salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes, you do not want the rice be fully cooked, drain and place to one side.

Place a pinch of saffron in a 1/4-cup of warm water and leave to infuse.

Once the duck legs are ready, place the green beans on top of the masala sauce and half the rice, layer with the chopped herbs, fried onions and cashew nuts, and then the remaining rice. Garnish the very top with fried onions.

Pour over the saffron water, replace the lid and cook for a further 25 minutes.