Who Knew You Could Make a Meal in a Rice Cooker?

Bill and I made this last week, and I forgot to post the recipe (courtesy of my friend Melanie who found it in the New York Times, I think). It was easy other than occasionally having to click the rice cooker from warm back to on when it thought it was finished cooking (like during the saute step). I skipped the chili pepper b/c I didnt' have one, but I would recommend adding a little cayenne or something if you don't have a pepper. I served it with unsalted cashews (not fried as below), raisins, and plain yogurt. YUM.

Rice Cooker Chicken Biriyani with Saffron Cream

Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 cup plain yogurt, preferably whole milk

1 1/2 teaspoons coriander powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon mild chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

1 onion cut into chunks

1 2-inch chunk fresh ginger, peeled

3 garlic cloves, peeled

1 fresh green chili pepper such as jalapeño or serrano, stemmed

3 tablespoons canola oil or ghee (clarified butter)

1 1/2 cups basmati rice, rinsed

6 cloves

6 cardamom pods

1 cinnamon stick

3 cups chicken broth (use low-sodium if canned) mixed with 1/4 teaspoon garam masala

1 teaspoon salt

Pinch saffron threads mixed with 2 tablespoons heavy cream

3 tablespoons chopped cilantro, more for garnish

3 tablespoons chopped mint

1 lime

FOR OPTIONAL GARNISHES:

Oil for frying

1 onion, thinly sliced

Big handful cashews

Big handful raisins

1. Cut chicken into bite-size chunks: 6 to 8 pieces from each thigh. In a bowl, mix yogurt and powdered spices. Add chicken, mix well to coat, and set aside.

2. In a food processor, purée onion, ginger, garlic and chili pepper together. Set aside.

3. In a rice cooker, heat oil in cooking bowl on ''cook.'' When hot, add onion paste and cook, uncovered, until some liquid has evaporated and paste begins to brown, about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.

4. Add rice and whole spices and stir well. Smooth top and arrange marinated chicken pieces over surface.

5. Gently pour in broth and salt. Cover and let cook until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes depending on cooker.

6. When done (or when cooker switches to ''warm'' function), add saffron cream and mix, making sure to scrape and scoop up bottom layer of rice. Sprinkle chopped cilantro and mint on top and re-cover. Let steam 5 minutes more.

7. If making garnishes, heat 1 inch oil in a pot until rippling. Add onion and cook, separating rings, until golden brown. Lift out and drain. Add cashews and raisins to same oil and cook until cashews are golden brown. Lift out and drain.

8. Just before serving, squeeze lime over biriyani and mix very well, fluffing lightly. Scoop onto serving platter and garnish with chopped cilantro and fried onions, cashews and raisins.

Note: Lacking a rice cooker, biriyani can also be made in a heavy round pot with at least a 3-quart capacity. After adding broth in Step 5, raise heat to bring mixture to a simmer, then immediately reduce heat to very low. For Step 6, turn heat off.