Biryani masala spice blend from Eastern in a 100 g box, with a chicken biryani serving suggestion on the front.
Eastern Biryani Masala comes in a gold 100 g box with the orange Eastern logo and the name in English and Arabic, بهارات برياني. The front shows a serving suggestion of saffron-coloured rice topped with chicken pieces, a halved boiled egg, cashews and whole spices, with a bowl of raita behind, and it carries a green vegetarian dot. As general background, biryani is a mixed rice dish traditionally made with spiced meat, seafood or vegetables, with roots in Mughal-era India and Persian rice cooking. In one style the meat and rice are cooked separately and then layered; in another the raw layers are sealed and slow-cooked so the food steams in its own liquid. Rub the masala into chicken or mutton with yoghurt, ginger and garlic and leave it to marinate, fry it with onions and tomatoes for the base, then layer with part-cooked basmati rice and finish over low heat. It also seasons pulao and vegetable rice.
