SECOND YEAR- HYDERABADI

HYDERABADI CUISINE

INTRODUCTION:

Hyderabad is the capital city of state Andhra Pradesh, situated in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad is known for its rich history, culture, and architecture representing the unique characteristic of a meeting point for North and South. It is and emerging information technology and biotechnology hub of India. Hyderabad and Sikanderabad is known as twin cities separated by Hussain Sagar lake, a man made lake at the time of Ibrahim Qutub Shah in 1562.Char Minar monument built in the centre of Hyderabad was built by Muhammad Quily Qutb Shah in 1591 is a tourist place. Hyderabad is also situated across the river Musi.

It had Muslim ruler the last Nizam

CLIMATE:

Hyderabad has tropical wet and dry climate.  In summer the maximum temperature reaches to 40-45 degree centigrade and minimum 25 degree centigrade. In winter maximum temperature is 28 degree centigrade and minimum 13 degree centigrade. It has red sandy soil and with areas of black cotton soil.

AVAILABILITY OF INGREDIENTS:

1. KABULI CHANA  (chickpeas)
2. LOBIA ( black eyed beans )
3. AGATHI LEAVES (  green leafy vegetables used for making poriyal)
4. YAM ELEPHANT ( edible tuber, used  for making chips)
5. CUDAPA SEEDS (used as thickening agent in curries and kormas, also known as chironjis)
6. BETEL ROOT ( also called pan ki lad, used in potli masala and korma, flavoring agent )
7. VETIVER ROOT ( these are the roots of the khus plant. Aromatic roots used for making potli masala and korma )
8. TAMARIND LEAVES ( used to flavor curries and stir fries.)

FOOD HABIT:

The cuisine combines the very best of muslim foods – kebabs, pilafs, kormas, and yoghurt dishes – with a haunting aromatic, tart, pungent, and creamy flavorings of the south – mustard seeds, cassia buds(kebab cheeni), cinnamon, curry leaves, hot chillies, peanuts, tamarind and coconut milk.

                    Home made fruit drinks-Sharbats- some flavored with sweetly aromatic khas roots (vetivert).

                       A sauce of roasted and ground sesame seeds which, in the Middle East might appear under the guise of mild flavored Tahini is mixed with fiery green chillies and tart tamarind paste to become the mouthy wateringly good til ki chutney.

Dried beans and lamb which are often stewed together in Persian cookery are perked up here with tamarind, cumin seeds, red chillies and curry leaves to become the Dalcha of Hyderabad.

                        In a formal occasion Chowki (low square dining tables seating, four to eight on the floor) pickles are laid down. Apart from more common lime and mango, exquisitely pickled partridges are also found. Food is served in Nawabi style and authentic hyderabadi dishes are served course by course.

                         Hyderabadi’s morning start with the breakfast stew Nahari with sheermal. One bouquet garni which is famous is ‘potli ka masala’ that includes sandalwood powder, earthy khas roots (vetivert) and even whole dried roses.

Haleem is a dish usually made during the Ramadan, lamb is cooked along with broken wheat until soft and it is then cooked and pounded with a wooden spoon until it resembles a paste. Haleem is accompanied by paye ka shorba, mint, green chilli, fried onion.

Khichri is also served in brunch which is a fluffy mixture of rice and split lentils, is first lubricated with a dollop of ghee and then eaten with a simple kheema, minced meat served with onions, garlic, ginger and red chillies.

Rice flour papadums provide crunch and texture while creamy, minty, sesame chutney and a tart mango pickle add pep and pungency.

Khagina (gingery scrambled eggs) is also served in breakfast as well as parathas (flaky griddled breads) and cups of sweet tea to wash every thing down.

Hyderabadi biryani : Biryani is the most famous among the delicacies of Hyderabad. An authentic meal of hyderabad invariably includes a Mutton Biryani, a rice dish made with mutton. Chicken and vegetarian biryani are also popular.

The Nizams served some 26 varieties of Biryanis for their guests. It is a traditional celebration meal made using goat meat and rice and is the staple of a die-hard

Hyderabadi.

The Hyderabadi Biryani is so named as it is created in the city of Hyderabad, India. The blending of mughlai and Telangana cuisines in the kitchens of the Nizam (ruler of the historic Hyderabad State),  resulted in the creation of Hyderabad Biryani.

It, like other biryanis, is made using Basmati rice which is only found on the Indian subcontinent. The spices, meat and other ingredients are carefully chosen, the method of preparation involves more time taken for cooking.

There are 2 styles of preparing biryani. The Katchi(raw) Biryani is prepared with the Katchi Yakhni method (with raw gravy). The raw meat is marinated in curd and cooked only by the dum, or the baking process, which is done with rice. This is a challenging process as it requires meticulously measured time and heat to avoid overcooking or undercooking the meat.

In Pakki Biryani, where the meat is cooked with all the accompanying spices and then the rice is simmered with the resultant gravy redolent of mace, ittar and kewra in a sealed vessel with saffron and cardamom.

A Biryani is accompanied with Burani  (Dahi ki Chutney); Mirchi ka Salan(Chilly curry); salad and sometimes boiled egg. The salad includes tomato, carrot, cucumber, radish, turnip, onion & lemon slices.

Apart from side dishes such as Mirchi ka Salan, it can also include Dhansak and Baghare Baingan.

Khubani ka meetha : a common dessert prepared with dry apricots are stewed with  honey and garnished with whipped cream.

Gil –e- firdaus : a sweet preparation  made by cooking grated white marrow with milk and sugar and thickened with sago seeds and khoya.

IMPORTANT DISHES:

1.         HYDERABADI MURGH KORMA: A cashew nut based chicken curry favored with nutmeg cooked by slow braising.

2.         MURGH NIZAMI: A semi dry chicken masala cooked with nuts ( cashewnut, peanut, coconut) and seeds (sunflower seed and sesame seeds)

3.         MURGH DO PIAZA: A mild chicken curry cooked with an abundance of onion and garnished with coconut and sunflower seeds.

4.         DALCHA GOSHT: A lamb stew with dried beans and soured by tamarind.

5.         NAWABI TARKARI BIRYANI: A delicious mix vegetable biryani which is mild and light

5.         MIRCH KA SALAN: A rich hot dish made of long hot pepper cooked in sesame seed flavored gravy.

6.         NAHARI: A very nourishing stew made of lamb trotter and tongue, cooked by   simmering usually overnight flavored by cassia bark(cinnamon), cardamom and highly aromatic bouquet garni( potli ka masala that includes sandal wood powder, khus root, whole dried roses). A breakfast dish usually eaten with bread like shirmal.

7.         LUKMI: Ravioli like squares of pastry dough filled with spiced minced lamb and deep fried.

8.         BAGHARE BAINGAN: Small whole aubergine slit fried till brown then cooked in nutty sauce containing sesame seeds and peanut and tempered with curry leaves and mustard seeds.

9.         TOMATO KUT: An aromatic puree of fresh tomatoes with tamarind, curry leaves and browned garlic.

10.       KACHHI BIRYANI: An aromatic rice preparation in which raw meat and raw rice are cooked together.

11.       KACCHE DAHI KE KOFTA: Minced meat, green coriander, mint, browned garlic and garam masala are ground to a very fine paste, formed into balls fried and just before service put in seasoned beaten curd and tempered with garlic, mustard seeds, curry leaves and red chillies.

12.       DOUBLE KA MEETHA: A glorious bread pudding liberally sprinkled with almond and pistachios.

13.       MARAG: A clear Arab meat broth with pieces of meat is called marag.

14.       HALEEM: A smooth velvety paste of broken wheat and meat usually eaten with pieces of hard boiled egg and lime juice.

15.       QABOOLI: It is layered casserole dish made of partially cooked rice, yellow split peas cooked with ginger garlic and yoghurt a puree of green herbs

(Coriander and mint) and browned onion. It is gently baked in a large pot.

16.       ASAFIA MURGH: Whole roasted chicken with almond, curd and garam masala.

17.       BAKRA KHORI: Whole lamb cooked with unique savory spices.

18.       METHI MURGH: Chicken with fresh fenugreek leaves.

19.       NARGISHI KOFTA: Kofta made of whole boiled egg coated with minced meat fried and simmered in rich gravy.

20.       SHIKHAMPURI KEBAB: Patties made out of finely pounded meat, stuffed with a pheasant mix of paneer, mint, green coriander, green chillies.

21.       CHIPPE KA GOSHT: Chunks of meat marinated in a paste of onion, green chillies, coconut, garlic, garam masala and yoghurt and then cooked very slowly in a new clay pot so the meat smells a bit like parched earth after a rainfall.

22.       BADAAM KI JAALI: Light round marzipan ‘sandwiches’ where the top layer with its filly greed cut outs, reveals real silver varq.