Hyderabadi Biryani

Nicely made Biryani, gives pleasure to observe and oh! Eat also! Fragranced long-grained rice, layered with meat, Chicken lambs and has been cooked with mixture of spices. This has to be one and only dish everyone wants to Eat while visiting or staying in Hyderabad. He Hyderabadi Biryani a favorite food!

Hyderabadi Biryani is prepared with Basmati rice, spices and lamb. There should be variations by using chicken instead of lamb                          

Ingredients:

The ingredients are  Basmati Rice, Mutton, Yogurt, Onions, Spices, Lemon,  Saffron, Mint, Coriander leaves.

Fried onions are used to garnish. Although the preferred meat is Goat mutton, but now a days it is replaced by chicken in some variations.

Biryani was first introduced in South India when Aurangzeb ruled over India. The combination this Mughlai dish with Telugu cuisines in the kitchens of the Nizam, the rulers of the historic Hyderabad State, is the creation of Hyderabadi  Biryani.

Hyderabadi Biryani is of two types:

1        Kachchi gosht ki biryani

The Kachchi biryani is prepared with meat marinated in spices for overnight and then soaked in yogurt (Dahi) before cooking. The gosht (meat) is sandwiched between layers of sweet-smelling long-grained basmati rice, and cooked on dum (steaming over coals), with sealing the handi (vessel) with Dough. (Thick malleable mixture of flour and liquid) This could be challenging process as it requires careful attention with time and temperature to avoid over- or under-cooking of the Biryani (meat)

2    Pakki biryani

In this process of  Pakki biryani, the meat is marinated in spices for a shorter time, and cooked before being layered with the rice and cooked in a dough-sealed vessel. The ingredients are cooked with gravy before baking.

The gravy is fragranced using mace, ittar and kewra. Saffron and cardamom 

There is also a vegetarian version of the Biryani, which is made using vegetables such as carrots, peas, cauliflower and potato and cashew in lieu of Mutton.

Biryani is usually served with Dahi chutney (yogurt and onions) and Mirchi ka salan a green Chili curry. Baghara baingan (roasted Eggplant) is a common side dish with delicious Biryani. The  Salad of Onion, Carrot, Beet, cucumber, and Lemon wedges.

This is the historic Hyderabadi Biryani