biriani a term of Persian origin meaning ‘fried’, refers to a spicy dish of layered meat and rice. In a relatively elaborate form with garnish which could include silver leaf (see gold and silver leaf), this is a feature of moghul cuisine. It is essential to use basmati rice and to flavour the dish with saffron.
© the Estate of Alan Davidson 1999, 2006, 2014 © in the Editor’s contribution to the second and third editions, Oxford University Press 2006, 2014.