Overview
Rice may be a staple in South India, but for Hyderabadis it is no mere desire for filling one's tummy. It had to rise to the greatest heights of culinary creativity to become an unforgettable regal dish. And now is truly synonymous with this city of the Nizams. And the chefs of the royal kitchen had no hesitancy in borrowing heavily from the Persians and Mughals, but they added their own secret local flavours to make it their very own Biryani. It is this very trait which has shaped the destiny of many a dish which has travelled from the kitchen to the royal table.
Technically speaking, it biryani is just a dish of rice and meat cooked with some spices, but it evokes the most passionate emotions among many foodies. This tour will reveal the delectable path that this dish has taken across the different parts of India.
Why you will love it
- Tracing the royal lineage of biryani
- Following the foreign hand in shaping Hyderabadi cuisine
- Watch the making of a traditional home biryani
What you will experience
On this tour, we will enjoy a sumptuous meal with one of the traditional families in Hyderabad. Biryani is sold right across the city, be it in fancy restaurants or humbler settings. But the city’s top biryani outlets have gathered fame way beyond the borders of Andhra Pradesh state. In fact, some of these restaurants have staked their fortunes on the popularity of just this one signature dish; over time, giving into to popular demand, they have added other dishes as well.
We will also explore the local food markets and understand the nuances of the local food and what goes into making the perfect Biryani. Dum Pukht, the traditional ‘slow heat cooking’ method is what enhances the biryani’s inimitable aromas, flavours and textures. Traditionally it was the gosht (meat) and chicken biryani which ruled the roost. By popular demand, a veg biryani has snuck into the menu as well. There are at last 13 different biryanis to choose from, the most unique being the kacche gosht ki biryani, which entails raw meat being cooked with rice and spice in the dum-style. We will be treated to a demo of Biryani being cooked before we tuck into our meal at a local home.