Sharing A Special Biryani Recipe from our Partner in India

At Mission ONE, we believe that partnerships go beyond just business—they’re about building relationships. One very memorable moment occurred when our President, Olivia Mulerwa, had the pleasure of hosting our partner from India, Malini, in her home. This visit was more than just a meeting; it was a cultural exchange that brought them closer together, one dish at a time.

Malini expressed how she likes teaching and cooking Indian food for the hosts she stays with. So during Malini’s stay, Olivia had the chance to dive into the culinary traditions of India by cooking a special dish known as Biryani. Biryani is rice with chicken that is often served during special occasions. Olivia was eager to learn and assist in preparing this dish, and Malini was more than happy to share her expertise. With Malini’s guidance, Olivia enjoyed learning the art of making Biryani. It was more than just cooking; it was about the friendship that was created as a result of working together to create something. For Malini, the experience held a special place in her heart, “It was a joy to cook with Olivia,” she explained.

At our Christmas party in 2023, the Mission ONE team had the pleasure of tasting the Biryani recipe, which was made personally by Olivia. When asked what they thought of Olivia’s chicken Biryani, the response was, “Oh, it was delicious and I was really glad she served that.” When asked why this dish was so special, Sonja, a team member, shared, “Because it was one of our partner’s and they worked together in the kitchen to make this recipe.” Overall, the dish was a success and a moment of joy for everyone, showcasing not only Olivia’s great cooking skills but also the strength of our relationship with Malini.

The Biryani dish was more than just a meal; it was a celebration of cultural exchange, friendship, and the wonderful outcomes that arise from working together. At Mission ONE, we are grateful for our partners and the experiences they bring. Here’s to more shared experiences, delicious meals, and the continued growth of our global family.

Biryani Recipe From Our Partner in India:

• Slice two large onions into thin long strands. Cut tomatoes into small pieces. Take a handful of mint and coriander leaves, clean them and keep aside.

• Soak Basmati rice in water for 15 min.

• In a large utensil, pour 1 teaspoon of oil and two spoons of ghee. Once it is hot, put one bay leaf, two cardamom, two cloves and a small cinnamon stick.

• Then add the onion to the mix and let the onion become translucent. Then add the tomatoes, mint, and cilantro leaves. Let them all cook for a few minutes until it becomes a little mushy.

• Then add two spoons of ginger garlic paste, one spoon chili powder, and one spoon coriander powder. Mix them well and let the oil come out well. Then add chicken pieces. Mix it well. Then add one spoon of curd and one spoon of lemon juice.

• After two or three minutes, pour water. The ratio is for 1 cup of rice you should add 1 1/2 cups of water. So if it is two cups of rice, then add three cups of water. Let the water and other things cook in the vessel for two or three minutes. Then add the soaked rice, mix it gently, and put on a lid and let it cook on medium heat for five minutes. Slow the heat and let it cook for 8 minutes.

• Lift the lid to see whether rice is cooked and all water has evaporated. If not, keep it for a few minutes. Once done, gently mix the rice so the chicken and other stuff is evenly spread. Cook for 10-15 min in slow fire.

• Make onion raita with curd and eat it with Biryani.