Biryani is one of my favourite things to eat in the whole world. Basically a one pot meal of curry and rice in fragrant layers, I have been fortunate enough to have eaten it in it's native India, where it, (like all of the food there) was incredible with the power to make you think, yes, that's what it really should taste like. The 17 year old Eminem loving chef certainly knew his stuff. It was full of whole cardamoms, cloves and cinnamon, the aromatic basmati scented with saffron and sprinkled lightly with rose water, interspersed with chunks of juicy but well charred chicken and onions fried until crispy and the colour of gold. I ate it poolside for lunch with a bottle of Kingfisher and still remember every taste. It is not an easy or quick dish to make and therefore, rightly deserves it's traditional reputation as a meal fit for royalty and special occasions.
