dedicated to Biryani
It was great having mutton and chicken today after 37 days of being vegetarian. Not egg-etarian but vegetarian. What i had today was so-called Biryani, some yellow coloured rice full of ajinomoto. Let me share with you the little knowledge I have about Biryani.
Biryani comes from the Persian word "Biryan", meaning fried before cooking. Rumour has it Biryani was brought to India by Taimur Lang (don't ask me who that is). Some also say that there is a legend that Mumtaz Mahal concocted it as a complete meal to feed the army. It is a belief in India that Biryani is the royal dish of Nizams and Nawabs. And it is not served to Royal Guests. There are over 26 varieties of Biryani made in India. Almost every community in India has its own version of the Biryani. One of the famous Biryani in Tamil Nadu, India is known as Dindigul Thalappakatti Biryani. It is called dindigul because it originated from Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu. It is prepared using a smaller sized rice variety called Seeraga Samba, along with traditional spice and local ingredients. According to my wife and her family who tasted it, it was okay.
Dindigul district is also known for the manufacture of cigars from the time of the British Rule. A brand of cigars called Light of Asia, also known as cheroots, was an apparent favourite of Sir Winston Churchill, and was produced in Dindigul. Dindigul district not only produced Tobacco and Biryani, but also a person called Angupather Achari - my grandfather.
I can't wait to have some real Biryani soon!
Biryani comes from the Persian word "Biryan", meaning fried before cooking. Rumour has it Biryani was brought to India by Taimur Lang (don't ask me who that is). Some also say that there is a legend that Mumtaz Mahal concocted it as a complete meal to feed the army. It is a belief in India that Biryani is the royal dish of Nizams and Nawabs. And it is not served to Royal Guests. There are over 26 varieties of Biryani made in India. Almost every community in India has its own version of the Biryani. One of the famous Biryani in Tamil Nadu, India is known as Dindigul Thalappakatti Biryani. It is called dindigul because it originated from Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu. It is prepared using a smaller sized rice variety called Seeraga Samba, along with traditional spice and local ingredients. According to my wife and her family who tasted it, it was okay.
Dindigul district is also known for the manufacture of cigars from the time of the British Rule. A brand of cigars called Light of Asia, also known as cheroots, was an apparent favourite of Sir Winston Churchill, and was produced in Dindigul. Dindigul district not only produced Tobacco and Biryani, but also a person called Angupather Achari - my grandfather.
I can't wait to have some real Biryani soon!
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