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Sunday, April 13, 2008

The Taste of Hyderabad..Biryani, Haleem, Irani Tea and Much More

There would be no flavor in life without the Taste Buds. This was the mantra of the RICH and ROYALS of erstwhile Hyderabad.

The first thing that comes to mind when you talk of Hyderabad is it's
Biryani, Haleem and Irani Chai (Tea).

Biryani is a traditional Hyderabadi dish made of basmati rice flavoured with meat and cooked in typical Hyderabadi Style by local chefs called Bawarchis. I mean , you just cannot describe the taste, you got to eat it to experience the taste. Its nothing like you ever tasted, it's got its own distinct and unique flavor rich with Hyderabad culture blended in it. Biryani you get in hotels is OK, buy if you want to taste the real Hyderabadi biryani you should get yourself invited to a traditional Muslim wedding.

If you want to taste
Haleem (pounded wheat and mutton dish), come to Hyderabad during Ramazan(the holy month of fasting in Islamic calender). Every nook and corner hotel, whether big or small serves this traditional mouth watering dish. They start serving it from the first day of Ramadan till the last day of Ramadan. After this month you hardly find hotels serving this dish. But then it is served in many traditional Muslim weddings.

Irani Chai. This tea has a unique taste which you cannot find anywhere else. There are plenty of Irani (Persian) families in Hyderabad and their traditional business is running hotels. These residents have blended so much with Hyderabadi culture that their tea has also become part of Hyderabadi cuisine. First thing a tourist who comes to Hyderabad will have is an Irani chai.

Hyderabadi cuisine is a mixture of two legacies the Deccani Sultans and the Nizams. It developed more during the rule of the Nizams. The Rich and Royals of that era were known for entertaining their guests and their love for rich food. The parties in their havaleis were famous for the rich and traditional food that was served. Apart from Biryani and Haleem other Hyderabadi dishes to name a few which are still famous are Kebab, Phatar Ka Gosht, Khorma, Pasinda, Paya, Nihari, Shikam-pur, Bagare-Baigan, Mirchi-ka-Salan and other Mogulai dishes. And of course Hyderabadi Meethas (Sweets).

Some of the "never forget the taste" sweet dishes that are prepared in Hyderabad are Double-
ka-Meetha, Gil-e-Firdous, Sevaiyan, Sheer-khorma, Apricot sweet and Gajar-ka-halwa.

Surprisingly Hyderabad is not lacking behind in Vegetarian delicacies. Vegetarian dishes are plenty and are blended in
Hyderabadi culture.

Its is said that in
Hyderabadi traditional families, where well guarded and secret recipes are passed on from generations to generations, Daughters are not taught how to prepare these dishes, but the daughter-in-laws are made aware of the recipes. They believe that when the daughters get married and go to other families their traditional secrets will not remain secrets anymore.

To be continued.......

2 comments:

Hyderabadiz said...

Dear Hyderabadi Blogger:
First of all congratulations that your blog is nominated for Best Hyderabadi Blog of the Year. Let your friends and all well wishers know this and get them to vote for the Best Blog.

NB. Just-in-case if you do not want your Blog included, please leave a comment (at our Blog), and your Blog will be removed from the list.

Best wishes, MT on behalf of The Team of Hyderabadiz.jiq

Ash Indiano said...

Dude....... Can you help me in posting my blog.

I am Ashok
My blog is www.hearty-india.blogspot.com

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