The 400 year old rich culture of Hyderabad is well reflected in various art forms like singing, dancing, poetry and cuisine. Hyderabadi Cuisine is savored by all gourmets with a lot of relish and delight. Even though Indian cuisine is well known for its variety and taste, Hyderabadi Cuisine is unparalleled by any other state of India.
The chief characteristic of Hyderabadi Cuisine is its generous use of exotic spices and ghee. The aroma of the cuisine of Hyderabad is very appetizing. Cooks of Hyderabad prefer to use fresh fruits instead of dried fruits in their mouth watering dishes. They excel in the preparation of Non vegetarian dishes and Biriyani is the highlight of Hyderabadi Cuisine.
In fact any visit to the state capital of Hyderabadi is incomplete if you have not tasted the Biriyani. It has earned immense popularity world wide and is basically flavored rice mostly with meat and sometimes with vegetables. Food in Hyderabadi households is served in the Shahi Dastarkhan. It is the dining place where people sit on a cotton mattress. The low chowki serves as the dining table.
The Nawabs of Hyderabad are well known for the way they entertained their guests with exotic dishes. It is for this reason that Hyderabadi Cuisine is also popularly known as Nawabi. They are cooked with a lot of herbs and spices and the flavoring and seasoning is just perfect. All your taste buds are sure to be satisfied.
The lip smacking kebabs like Boti Jhammi, Kalmi, Shikampur, Sheek, Lagan-ke-Kababs, Dum-ke-kababs and breads like sheermal and lukmi are the other fine offerings of Hyderabadi Cuisine. The Mughlai dishes of Hyderabad are decorated with varq. This fine silver leaf enhances the look of the dishes.
Though it specializes in non vegetarian fare, a few vegetarian dishes of Hyderabad are also very tasty. They include Bagara Baingan – a rich preparation of brinjals, Mirch Ka Salan – hot chilies in creamy gravy, Tomato Qoot – flavored tomatoes with a lovely smell and Shahi Dahi Vadas –lentil balls dipped in curd.
Any jaded palate will surely be impressed by the sweet dishes of Hyderabad. Some of the delectable deserts of Hyderabad are Double-ka-Meetha – a bread and cashew nut pudding, Qubani-ka-Meetha – a stewed apricot dessert, ande-ka-Piyosi – a sweet dish made with eggs, almonds and purified butter, Badam-ki-Jhab, a candy and Dil-e-Firdaus, a rich, milk-based sweet.
Make sure that you taste the traditionally cooked authentic Hyderabadi Cuisine in your next trip to the city. They are simply delicious.
