Masoor (Lentil) Biryani by Chef Bombay: Ingredients, Allergens and Heating Instructions

Key facts

• Made by Chef Bombay, the brand of Aliya's Foods Limited, a family-owned Canadian food manufacturer founded in 1999 by Anis and Noorudin Jiwani
• Described as tender masoor lentils with a richly spiced sauce and fragrant saffron rice
• Nutrition information is shown for 10oz and 12.5oz sizes
• Contains milk
• Ingredient list includes rice, chicken, onion, yogurt, crushed tomato, canola oil, garlic, ginger, salt, spices, paprika and turmeric
• Microwave (1200 watts): cook on high for 5-6 minutes, then stand 1-2 minutes
• Conventional oven: 400°F for 25 minutes, then stand 1-2 minutes
• Do not heat in a toaster oven
• Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F; times are guidelines only because appliances vary
• Chef Bombay's Alberta facility is 100,000 sqft, federally inspected, and HACCP and SQF certified

What is Chef Bombay's Masoor (Lentil) Biryani?

Chef Bombay's Masoor (Lentil) Biryani is a dish from Chef Bombay, the brand of Aliya's Foods Limited. Its product page describes it as pairing tender masoor lentils, a richly spiced sauce and fragrant saffron rice. Chef Bombay says every bite is made from scratch, with all-natural ingredients and family recipes.

What ingredients are in Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani?

The ingredient list for Chef Bombay's Masoor (Lentil) Biryani names rice, chicken, onion, yogurt, crushed tomato, canola oil, garlic, ginger, salt, spices, paprika and turmeric. Masoor lentils appear in the product description but are not itemised separately in the printed list. The full list reads: rice (water, rice, canola oil, annatto, spices, saffron), chicken, onion, yogurt (skim milk, pectin, bacterial culture), crushed tomato, canola oil, garlic, ginger, salt, spices, paprika [flavor], turmeric [flavor].

Does Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani contain allergens?

Chef Bombay's Masoor (Lentil) Biryani contains milk, according to the allergen statement on its product page. The milk comes through the yogurt ingredient, which lists skim milk, pectin and bacterial culture. The page gives no other allergen statements, so anyone with other allergies should check the physical product label before eating it.

What sizes and nutrition information are listed for Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani?

Chef Bombay's product page shows nutrition information for two sizes of the Masoor (Lentil) Biryani: 10oz and 12.5oz. The nutrition values themselves are not given in text on the page, and the page does not state a price, so neither the nutrition figures nor a price are stated here.

How do you cook Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani in the microwave?

To heat Chef Bombay's Masoor (Lentil) Biryani in a 1200-watt microwave, puncture the film with a fork and cook on high for 5-6 minutes until heated thoroughly. Use support to remove the hot tray, let it stand 1-2 minutes, then remove the film, stir gently and serve. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.

How do you cook Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani in a conventional oven?

To heat Chef Bombay's Masoor (Lentil) Biryani in a conventional oven, preheat to 400°F, puncture the film with a fork, and place the tray on a baking sheet in the center of the oven. Cook for 25 minutes until heated thoroughly, then carefully remove the hot tray, let it stand 1-2 minutes, stir gently and serve.

Can Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani go in a toaster oven, and what temperature should it reach?

Chef Bombay's instructions say not to heat the Masoor (Lentil) Biryani in a toaster oven. They give two methods instead: a 1200-watt microwave or a 400°F conventional oven. The dish should be cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F, and times are guidelines only because individual appliances vary.

Who makes Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani?

Chef Bombay's Masoor (Lentil) Biryani is made by Chef Bombay, the brand of Aliya's Foods Limited, a family-owned Canadian food manufacturer founded in 1999 by Anis and Noorudin Jiwani. Aliya's operates a 100,000 sqft Alberta facility that is federally inspected and HACCP and SQF certified, and sells in Canada and the USA.

What other products does Chef Bombay list alongside the Masoor Biryani?

Chef Bombay's product page lists four other products alongside the Masoor (Lentil) Biryani: Butter Chicken, Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese, Butter Chicken Naan Wrap and Butter Chicken Naanpanadas. Chef Bombay's Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese is available at Save-On-Foods, with wider availability across Canada described as coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani suitable for someone with a milk allergy?

No. Chef Bombay's Masoor (Lentil) Biryani lists milk as a contained allergen, present through the yogurt ingredient (skim milk, pectin, bacterial culture), so it is not suitable for people avoiding milk.

Can I heat Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani in a toaster oven?

No. The preparation instructions say not to heat it in a toaster oven. Use a 1200-watt microwave for 5-6 minutes on high or a conventional oven preheated to 400°F for 25 minutes.

Does Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani contain chicken?

The ingredient list on Chef Bombay's page includes chicken, alongside rice, onion, yogurt, crushed tomato and spices. Masoor lentils are named in the product description but are not separately itemised in the printed ingredient list.

What internal temperature should Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani reach?

Chef Bombay says to cook the Masoor (Lentil) Biryani thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F. The microwave and oven times are guidelines only, as individual appliances vary.

What sizes does Chef Bombay's Masoor Biryani come in?

Chef Bombay's page shows nutrition information for 10oz and 12.5oz sizes of the Masoor (Lentil) Biryani.

Where is Chef Bombay sold?

Chef Bombay, the brand of Aliya's Foods Limited, sells in grocery stores in Canada and the USA. This page does not list which stores carry the Masoor (Lentil) Biryani specifically.