hyderabadi cuisine
In Hyderabad's 400 year history the Hyderabadi cuisine has, like its culture, stood high and unmatched by any other state in India. In fact Hyderabad was known for the spectacular way its aristocracy entertained. The feast at these banquets usually contained a selection of Mughlai dishes which would be decorated with varq (a very fine pure silver leaf).
Below are some of the more traditional Hyderabadi dishes which were probably served 400 years ago, and still served today
Lamb and Rice dish - A traditional celebration meal
Ingredients: (serves 6)
| 2lbs | Spring lamb (cleaned, cut into medium size pieces) | ||
| 4ozs | Natural yoghurt | ||
| 4ozs | Pure ghee (clarified butter) | ||
| 1lb | Basmati rice (washed) | ||
| 4ozs | Onions (sliced finely) | ||
| 1oz | Ginger & garlic (equal amounts crushed) | ||
| 1 | Juice of 1 lemon | ||
| 1oz | Almonds (ground) | ||
| 2 | Cinnamon sticks | ||
| 4-6 | Cardamon whole | ||
| 1oz | Milk | ||
| 1/4 tsp | Saffron | ||
| 2-3 | Green chillies | ||
| 1/2 tsp | Cumin seeds | ||
| 2-3 | Cloves | ||
| 1/2 tsp | Garam masala (equal amounts of Black Zeera, Cardamoms & Cinnamon sticks, with half amount of cloves) | ||
| - | Salt to taste |
||
| - | Coriander and fried onions to garnish |
Method:
In a large bowl mix the meat, yoghurt, almonds, chopped green chillies,
ginger and garlic, salt, and ground garam masala. To the mixture add half a
teaspoon each of chilli powder and turmeric. Marinate for at least 4-6 hours
in the fridge.
Fry the onions in ghee until golden brown and crisp. Drain away any excess
ghee and then remove the onions and spread over a large plate. This should
keep the onions crispy. Once they have cooled crush the onions with your
fingers and add this to the marinated meat mixture.
In a large pan half fill with water and add salt, whole garam masala and one
green chilli. Bring this to the boil and add the washed rice and cook until
the water boils. Once the water has boiled drain the rice in a colander and
rinse with a little cold water.
Grease the saucepan generously with ghee and transfer the meat mixture.
Level the surface and now spread the rice evenly over the meat. Squeeze the
lemon and pour the juice over the rice. Warm the milk and crush the saffron
into it. Pour the milk/saffron mixture over the rice. Dot generously with
ghee. To garnish spread the fried onions and coriander over the rice.
Cover the saucepan tightly. Allow to steam on high heat for about 10 minutes
and then lower the heat and cook for another 1 and a half to 2 hours. Before
removing the pan from the cooker ensure that there is no moisture left in
the meat. This can be checked by simply listening for a sizzling sound. If
there is no sizzling then the Biryani is ready.
Biryani is traditionally served with Mirch Salan and Yoghurt Chutney (simply
combine finely chopped onions, chillies and coriander to natural yoghurt -
mix well and season to taste).
Recipe compliments of Mrs. Qudsia Shafiuddin
Chilli Curry - usually accompanies Biryani
Ingredients: (serves 4)
| 250gms | Large/long green chillies/hot peppers | ||
| 50mp | Cooking oil | ||
| 30gms | Tamarind pulp | ||
| 100gms | Natural yoghurt | ||
| 2tbs | Lemon juice | ||
| - | Salt to taste | ||
| For salaan paste: | |||
| 250gms | Roasted onions | ||
| 35gms | Roasted peanuts | ||
| 35gms | Coconut | ||
| 20gms | Ginger & garlic paste | ||
| 5gms | Sesame seeds | ||
| - | A sprig of coriander leaves | ||
Method:
Deep fry green chillies in hot oil. Remove and keep aside.
Grind together desiccated coconut, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, roasted
onions and peanuts to make a fine paste. Reheat oil already used for frying
chillies.
Ensure that the paste does not stick to the pan. Fry the salan paste for 20
minutes, keep stirring. Pour 15 ml of water at regular intervals.
Add yoghurt and salt and stir for 3-4 minutes. Now add the tamarind pulp and
15 ml of water. Stir for 5 minutes until the gravy is of sauce consistency
and ensure that it does not stick to the pan.
Add the fried chillies to the hot gravy. Let the gravy come to a boil. Remove
and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot with biryani/pulao/pilaf.
Chicken Curry
Ingredients: (serves 8)
| 2kg | Chicken pieces | ||
| 500gms | Natural yoghurt | ||
| 100gms | Coconut | ||
| 1Kg | Onion | ||
| 2tsp | Garam Masala | ||
| 1/2tsp | Pepper powder | ||
| 100gms | Ginger-garlic paste | ||
| 50gms | Fresh green chillies | ||
| 1tsp | Turmeric powder (Haldi) | ||
| 2tsp | Coriander powder | ||
| 300gms | Cooking oil | ||
| 1 | Cup water | ||
| - | A sprig each of coriander and mint | ||
| - | Salt to taste |
Method:
Chop the onions into fine slices and fry them till golden brown. Marinate
the chicken pieces for 10 minutes in 2 tsp of salt (salt to taste) turmeric
powder, garam
masala, coriander powder and ginger-garlic paste.
Fry onions until golden brown and then add the marinated chicken pieces.
After 10 minutes add the whipped yoghurt and a cup of water and stir well.
Cook for 5 minutes.
Then add the desiccated coconut, pepper powder, chopped coriander and mint
leaves. Cover and allow to cook for 15 minutes.
Beat served with fresh parathas or roti.
Hyderabadi Porridge - a local favorite
Ingredients:
| 200gms | Wheat (whole) | ||
| 300gms | Boneless mutton | ||
| 20gms | Fresh green chillies | ||
| 2" piece | Ginger | ||
| 6-8 flakes | Garlic | ||
| 100gms | Cooking oil | ||
| 3 medium | Onions (sliced) | ||
| 2 medium | Lime | ||
| 1/2tsp | Turmeric powder (Haldi) | ||
| 2tsp | Garam Masala | ||
| - | Salt to taste |
Method:
De-bran the wheat, wash and soak for 2 hours.
Clean and marinate mutton with half of ground paste of ginger, garlic, green chillies and salt for 1 hour.
Pressure cook the soaked wheat and marinated meat for about 45 minutes. Mince and grind to a fine paste.
In a Pan heat oil, add the finely sliced onions, fry till brown, add the spices.
Add the ground paste and keep stirring occasionally. On slow flame, till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan. Adjust the seasoning. Serve hot, with lime wedges coriander and fried onions as garnish.
Vermicelli Pudding - Another celebration special
Ingredients: (serves 4-6)
| 100gms | Vermicelli | ||
| 1500ml | Milk | ||
| 250gms | Sugar | ||
| 50gms | Cashew nuts (chopped) | ||
| 50gms | Almonds (soaked and chopped) | ||
| 50gms | Dates (chopped) | ||
| 6 | Cardamoms (crushed) | ||
| 4tsp | Pure ghee (clarified butter) | ||
| 250ml | Water |
Method:
Fry the nuts in 2 tsp of clarified butter. Make a sugar syrup (one string
consistency). Fry the vermicelli in the remaining clarified butter until
golden brown.
Boil the milk until it is thickened to half the quantity. Add the fried
vermicelli to the milk and cook. Do not allow lumps to form. Add sugar syrup
and cook for a while until it comes to a homogeneous consistency. Sprinkle
cardamom powder. Garnish with fried nuts.
Serve hot or refrigerated.
Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
| 1 | Loaf of white bread (sliced) | ||
| 1litre | Milk | ||
| 500gms | Sugar | ||
| 250gms | Double cream | ||
| 250gms | Pure ghee (clarified butter) | ||
| 100gms | Chopped & roasted cashew nuts | ||
| 100gms | Almonds (soaked and chopped) | ||
| 10gm | Saffron | ||
| 5 | Cardamoms (crushed) |
Method:
Cut each bread slice into four pieces. Fry them in clarified butter till
golden brown. Make a sugar syrup by adding half a litre of water to the
sugar and boil it for 15 minutes. Add the powdered cardamom and the saffron
dissolved in milk to the sugar syrup. Boil milk until it is thickened.
Arrange the fried bread pieces on a flat tray and sprinkle the chopped nuts
on them. Pour the sugar syrup, double cream and milk alternately over the
bread pieces while they are still hot.
Refrigerate and serve as dessert.
Carrot Pudding
Ingrdients (serves 6)
| 2kg | Carrots | ||
| 1litre | Milk | ||
| 500gms | Sugar | ||
| 500gms | Pure ghee (clarified butter) | ||
| 50gms | Chopped & fried cashew nuts | ||
| 50gms | Almonds (soaked and chopped) |
Method:
Peel and grate the carrots fine. Fry the grated carrots in 4 tbsp of
clarified butter. When the carrot is fried well, add milk and cook for a
further 15 minutes. Add the remaining clarified butter. Garnish with nuts.
Serve hot or refrigerated.
Apricot Pudding - A favorite at weddings
Ingredients:
| 200gms | Apricots (whole/dried) | ||
| 60gms | Sugar | ||
| 50ml | Fresh cream | ||
| 300ml | Water |
Method:
Wash and soak the apricots in hot water for 15 minutes. Mash and stone the apricots. Break open the stone and remove the nuts.
Heat the mixture of apricot and nuts until it starts thickening.
Add sugar and cook for another 2 minutes.
Allow the mixture to chill.
Traditionally served with fresh cream or plain custard.
Authentic Hyderabadi Masalas available from:
