Lucknowi Special: Awadhi Katahal Biryani (Jackfruit Biryani)


The first time I heard about this awesome dish was when in a nostalgic moment, Prashant was reminiscing about Lucknowi khana, which he used to miss in Delhi, Since that day, this biryani was soething he mentioned often, leaving me with little choice but to dig up its recipe and try my hand at it. The first time when we made it, I came closer to understanding, why mutton biryani and the humble vegetable biryani are in different leagues altogether.

 Update: I was editing this post and I accidentally deleted it. I'll be putting down the recipe again soon,  but it might be a bit different from what I had written earlier. Meanwhile, if anybody happens to have saved a copy, please do let me know. Thank you.

56 comments:

  1. wow , this is a very unique dish,Never heard about it.Looks so yummy and delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is a beautiful version of biryani...I too could have it on its own :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jack fruit biryani is something new to me. Yours looks mouthwatering. Thanks a lot for posting this.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Loved the biryani..we make just fry or curry out of jackfruit..would have to try this recipe..

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow you made biriyani with jackfruit.
    This is new to me.
    My mom used to make lots of dishes with jackfruit but never this.
    Next time when i ring her i will tell about this recipe and ask her why she never made this for me when i was at home.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Never heard of this verison using jackfruit. Looks good.:-)

    I have the same bowl/vessel, but no biryani in it.:D

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jack fruit biryani sounds so different and looks so great. Never tried this before. YUM!.. Loved the lovely yellow color.

    ReplyDelete
  8. never heard of this biryani! innovative way to use jack fruit. the biryani looks scrumptious.

    ReplyDelete
  9. hi rashmi..this biriyani looks really good...such a creative idea to add jackfruit..love it..

    ReplyDelete
  10. hehe, he smelled it all the way I guess...:) I love Jackfruit but am allergic to it. This looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  11. looks temptin,.btw where did u buy.jackfruit,,from,,hb=ve been searchin fromlokn time,,

    ReplyDelete
  12. How unique and beautiful! Thanks for the detailed steps.

    ReplyDelete
  13. this has got to be one awesome tasting biryani. i guess those jackfruit pieces can be baked too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the different biryani :) I cannot even imagine the taste of it

    ReplyDelete
  15. I dare not imagine how good this would taste! Summer always makes me crave for mom's kathal ki sabzi with mango-mint chutney and this biryani is killing me now! I don't think I can find fresh jackfruit to try it out, but would send this recipe to my mom to try! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. pearls of east:
    Thank you so much:)

    sunita:
    Glad you liked it:)

    jayasree
    Thank you:)

    maheshwari
    Thanks..i also sometimes
    make it with leftover jackfruit curry.Do try it:)

    happycook
    hehe! my mom also never made jackfruit into a biryani..P introduced this to me:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. tbc:
    Wish could send you over some:)

    sagari, sukanya,uma, ranji:
    Thank you buddies:)

    ReplyDelete
  18. medhaa:
    Sounds like the only logical explanation:D

    notyet100:
    Good old Mustafa!
    But I often buy them at the corner sabzi wallah at buffalo road, just next to little india mrt.

    laavs:
    Thank you:)

    bee:
    Baking is a good idea..if you ever try it, would love to know how it turns out.

    cham:
    since i hv never tried the meat biryanis, all i know is it tastes richer than the veggie biryani:)

    ReplyDelete
  19. shweta:
    your mom trying this recipe would be an honour for me!

    ReplyDelete
  20. tell you what, I don't think I have ever had tasted jackfruit, atleast I don't remember eating it...this is a nice recipe to start eating it....what says u

    ReplyDelete
  21. bhags:
    You Betcha:)

    BTW, if i'm not wrong, its called phannas in bby

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jackfruit Biryani..heard it for the first time. You can send it to Nupur

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi LG,
    Thanks but could'nt figure out the bit about sending this to nupur?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Looks awesome....this biriyani is totally new to me....would love to try it out

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey thats my fav veggie i can eat throught the day! never herad of this recipe very innovatie and luks so tempting

    ReplyDelete
  26. that looks awesome - never had jackfruit biryani but i can imagine it has the chewy texture of meat. sigh - just don't want to deep fry :( maybe i will risk it and try it without deep frying!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Kathal is my fave but have never seen it here for more 20yrs now. We do get canned one which is you know what but that's the best we can do. Biryani looks yum, glad he came to savor this early!:D

    ReplyDelete
  28. Whoa!Just as I finish trying making your kasundi ... u come up with another exotic dish.I tried the kasundi both ways .. with the mustard oil .. and without. I liked the latter version .. guess it gives the desired texture and body.Thanks again for sharing the great recipe.
    I see you all giving awards .. I don't know how to ...so am declaring them here for you ... You deserve 2 awards ...for great innovation ... and for honesty. :-)
    And thanks for the usefull info on the click event for Bri.
    Waiting for more lip smacking innovations. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  29. jayashree:
    Thanks !Would love to know how it turns out..

    smn:
    Thanks,its one of my favs too!

    arundathi:
    bee has made a neat suggestion..to bake it instead!

    asha:
    Hehe..had he been late again, he would have had to contend himself with a tiny portion :D

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hey Sharmila,
    I am so flattered that you tried the kasundi, and I agree that it is better without the oil. I need to learn to trust recipes:)

    And thank you SO MUCH...you do say the sweetest things, you know:)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Never tried it. Looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  32. WOW wonderful recipe dear, looking awesome, delicious, mouthdrooling!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. this is something new for me..looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  34. devipriya, madhavi, hetal:

    Thank you for the nice words:)

    ReplyDelete
  35. wow! this is a first for me with this recipe :) thanks for dropping by my space!

    ReplyDelete
  36. That is one unique recipe. Will surely give it a try. Bookmarked.

    ReplyDelete
  37. would love to try this biryani. Lovely pics. Congrats on the awards !

    ReplyDelete
  38. nags,mythreyee,pravs:

    Thank you so much for coming over. It would be immensely flattering for me if you guys try it:)

    ReplyDelete
  39. jackfruit in a biriyani..this is something I've never tried or tatsted....

    ReplyDelete
  40. OK... Singapore is fine too... am sure you get jackfruit... considering how much Durian you get there :-)

    Nice recipe... I have to try it out soon.

    ReplyDelete
  41. A really different biryani. Looks good too.

    ReplyDelete
  42. rachel:
    its a traditional ecipe from lucknow..if you like jackfruit per se, you would like it.

    Raaga:
    Thank you !
    Most times, finding jackfruit in Singapore is not too easy:(
    I got lucky this time..hope I chance upon it soon again, sure dont want to make durian ghasshi:)

    simran:
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Rashmi
    Thanks for the visit!
    And such a unique recipe! Will have to try it out for sure. Actually, I've never cooked with Jackfruit before. Now I have a reason to.

    ReplyDelete
  44. kya baat hai miya.... bada mast lag ria hai ;)
    i love kathal pata... sahi hoga na ye...

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Bharti,
    Welcome to delhibelle!
    I would love to know how you liked it:)

    swats
    kathal mujhe bhi bahut pasand hai..am sure you will make it better than me:)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Ok, so still dreaming about cooking this up. One small problem...no jack fruit. Will the canned stuff work? Any idea?

    ReplyDelete
  47. Bharti:
    To be honest, I have not seen canned young jackfruit( only the ripe sweet ones!) so not 100% certain how much will it affect the taste and texture, but I guess there's only one way to find out!
    I think this might work:rinse the jackfruit to rid of the canned taste, then pat dry and shallow fry/deep fry/bake it and proceed. My guess is that it may turn out slightly mushier than the fresh version, but should not be too bad. All the best & do keep me posted:)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thanks Rashmi, will pick it up at the Indian store tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  49. looks nice even i m going to try it this weekend

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hello,

    This really very delecious Awadhi Katahal Biryani, I am also from Lucknow but now a day i am staying in Ahmedabad.

    I request you please post the receipe of Awadhi Katahal Biryani i love to make it. If possible please mail me at pradeep.khanna1@gmail.com

    Regards

    Pradeep Khanna

    ReplyDelete
  51. Dear Rashmi,
    My husband loves kathal biryaani and when I saw this posting on your blog I jumped for joy. I see now that the recipe was accidentally deleted. I hope you'll be able to put it back up soon!!

    Thanks,
    Nishtha

    ReplyDelete
  52. hello,
    I am looking for this recipe since ages. Kindly upload.

    Regards,
    A jackfruit fan.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi Belle,
    You have lovely pics and your style of writing is good. There isnt any North Indian Blog too. Please continue blogging. Please pretty please post the Kathal Biriyani Recipe. I had it at someones house and from then I am searching for this recipe.
    Thanks,
    Jackfruit fan

    ReplyDelete