Biryani.....(EID MUBARAK🌙)

You might be thinking or wondering have I gone nuts or something. But this is true. If you give it a try then biryani is an obsession. Now, I can tell you from where this obsession started and the Non Veg Biryani vs Veg Biryani( pilaf, also called as pulao or khichdi in India)concept too! When I first tasted biryani, I did not understand the taste. It had so many elements that I got confused. And the most important (raita/salan) accompaniments. Biryani is a dish that really need no introduction! So what is really special about it? Let's begin now!

Talking about the origin of this dish, it may sound untrue but biryani technically isn't really Indian , as it was born somewhere outside of the subcontinent. If legends and historical records are to be believed, then Persia, or Iran, as it is called now to be the country of origin. According to a legend, it was the Turko-Mongol ruler Tamerlane(Timur) who brought it to India when he was trying to invade the country. It was served as a staple diet too many people working in the army, prepared freshly in the earthen pots with whatever meats they could find. Onto its etymology(the study of origin and history of words) now! The word biryani is derived from the Farsi word "Bristah'' meaning fried onions, as it was served by garnishing on the cooked rice and meat.

The origin of the dish has already been discussed. During the time of introduction, India was ruled by many Islamic dynasties who mainly came from Afghanistan , Iran or Turkey! The dish became immensely popular among the royal and noble folks back then. Though we don't have evident data, it can be said that the commoners didn't have biryani for a very long time. It was in the royal kitchen of Mughal Empire, where biryani came to be known in its modern form. As the Mughal Empire expanded southwards , eastwards, the dish was introduced to all those parts of the empire. Three of the cities widely renowned for their local varieties of biryani are Hyderabad, Lucknow and Kolkata. The Nawabs and the Nizams of these cities were huge fans of these local delicacies .Not only Mughals but other royal former too had biryani as a part of their occasional feast. But wherever you enjoy your biryani, whatever recipe it comes from, know that you are eating a dish with a Royal Lineage(Ancestry).

One widely popular story regarding the modern form of biryani revolves around Mumtaz Mahal, the most beloved wife of Shah Jahan and the Empress consort of the empire. It was said that she once visited the army barracks and found the soldiers to be very weak and impoverished. She immediately ordered the royal chefs to create a dish to ensure their balanced nutrition. And the result was biryani! The rice was fried into ghee to give a nutty flavor. Meat and spices and saffron were added to it before cooking the mix over a wood fire. After all, she was a good empress unlike she portrayed.

The preparation and ingredients required for a biryani are more likely to be available in our households. The  perfect biryani requires carefully measured ingredients and technique varies according to region. Traditionally , the dum-pukht method(slow breathing oven in Persian) was used to make it. The ingredients are added into a pot and slowly cooked on charcoal so as to allow the steam to soften the ingredients . The pot, which had been sealed, allows the steaming meat to tenderize in its own juices and flavours in the rice. The foremost ingredient for biryani is rice, obviously. Basmati rice is the most common type of rice used. Biryani is usually cooked in ghee/oil and the other replacement used is butter. Meat is also important and should be in plentiful quantity for the perfect combination! Various spices are required - turmeric, coriander, chilli, the good'ol garam masala to name a few( elaichi!). Other than those, you can use various nuts and dry fruits as well, such as raisins and almonds for a final touch!

These days, vegetarians biryanis are also in trend. Dum(potato) biryani very popular among urban folk, mostly western India. Other vegetables such as carrots, capsicum(bell peppers) and peas can also be used. Biryani is usually prepared in handi (a wide-mouthed vessel usually made of copper ) or a saucepan/cooker. The rice is soaked in water and then added to the vessel. The vessel is filled with water with some whole spices and fresh coriander and mint leaves. It is precooked for 10 minutes , until its 80% cooked . A separate mixture is created of meat and spices along with some curd and fried onions i.e, the meat is marinated in some ground spices and ginger-garlic paste, along with some curd, fried onions, mint leaves and coriander leaves. In goes some ghee(2-3tbsp). The mixture is poured in the vessel and slow cooked until the meat softens and the ghee starts separating and floats on this sides of the vessel. Now lower the heat and start layering some rice over the meat and repeat the process. At the top, garnish some fresh mint and coriander leaves and saffron milk. Add some fried onions before sealing it. The heat is lowered for the next few minutes and the vessel is covered with a lid. Now, let it simmer or slow cook for 10-15mins. Turn off the heat and allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Finally serve it on a plate and garnish it with some more coriander leaves and fried onions and salan or raita. Your exquisite dish is ready to be indulged!   

The varieties that are most popular all over are: Kolkata Biryani, Hyderabadi Biryani, Lucknowi Biryani, Kashmiri Biryani, Malabar Biryani, etc. Okay, now that we have covered the basic information about biryani , now let's try to clear confusion of you guy's. I have heard a lot of people say that biryani is not veg or its called pulao, khichdi and what not. Though the differences between them are quite difficult to notice, rest the preference of making differs. The preparation can be veg. But this does not mean that biryani cannot be vegetarian or rather called as pulao! Well, this is a never ending debate regarding biryani. The only biryani recipe I know is my own. Hope, I'll share it soon.

So there you have it!  A brief blog about biryani. I hope, I was able to explain you everything I could. Anyway, now you know so many things about Biryani, would you give it a try? Have you ever had it before? I would like to know everything. Do tell me in the comment section below. 

  

I LOVE YOU MUMMA!👩‍👧💕