Bihari Boti
A home-style recipe for Bihari Boti. Serves 4, ready in about 70 minutes, with steps for the usual way and for the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oil, for the onion
- 1 onion, sliced
- 750 g boneless beef (undercut), in thin strips about 1 cm thick, beaten lightly
- ½ cup (125 g) yogurt
- 2 tbsp raw papaya paste
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg and mace (jaifal javitri)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup oil, plus a little for basting
- Or, instead of the spices above (but still add the salt): 3 tbsp Bihari boti masala (from a packet)
Missing something?
- No beef or mutton (gosht)? Use chicken (cook for less time).
- No yogurt? Use milk with 1 tsp lemon juice, rested 10 minutes.
- No onion? Use spring onions, or a little onion powder (less depth).
On the grill
- Heat the 2 tbsp oil and fry the onion on medium heat for 10–12 minutes, until brown. Crush it when cool, and keep the oil.
- Mix the meat with everything except the basting oil, including the fried onion and its oil. If you use packet masala, use only half the salt. If you have time, leave it for up to 4 hours (not overnight, because the papaya softens the meat too much); if not, cook it right away.
- Thread the strips onto skewers, folding them back and forth.
- Grill over hot coals for 12–15 minutes, turning and brushing with oil, until charred at the edges and tender.
- No grill? Cook the meat with its marinade in a covered pan on low heat for 25–30 minutes until tender, then uncover and fry on high heat until dry and charred.
Tip: For a smoky taste in a pan, put a hot piece of charcoal in a small foil cup on the meat, add a drop of oil to it and cover for 2 minutes.
In the air fryer (about 55 min)
- Marinate gosht strips in yogurt, raw papaya paste and Bihari masala for 4 hours or more.
- Air fry at 200°C for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway, until charred and tender.
Air fryer tip: Use short skewers that fit inside the basket, or cook the pieces without skewers.
Air fryer basics: Heat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes first. Don't fill the basket more than halfway. Brush or spray a little oil. Turn or shake halfway. Use paper liners with holes. Air fryers vary, so check a few minutes early the first time.