There is a stir in the house. Hungry bellies begin to grumble as a spicy aroma fills the air. “Are we eating Indian food for dinner?” someone asks. “I think I smell Biryani!” is the excited reply.
For years untold Biryani has been one of the world’s favorite Indian dishes. The flavors blend seamlessly into an almost perfect dish. Full of history and incredible tastes, its popularity only continues to grow. For all the fans -have you ever wondered where it all began? Do you wonder if it has changed or evolved? For the newbies – do you worry if it is too spicy hot? Well, you are in the perfect spot! Let’s explore this gem of Indian cuisine.
What is Biryani?
Biryani is a basmati rice-based dish with saffron, coriander, and turmeric, among other spices. Additional elements can include:
- Fish
- Mutton
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Vegetables
To give the meat a rich flavor and tender bite, chefs may marinate it in yogurt before cooking. Biryani recipes can differ based on the region. Here are five variations you may want to try:
- Lucknowi Biryani
- Sindhi Biryani
- Hyderabadi Biryani
- Memoni Biryani
- Calcutta Biryani
For those that love to cook, add this to your menu. Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to preparing this dish at home. If you can’t even boil water, don’t worry. Lucky for us, many delightful Indian food restaurants are masters!
Where is it from?
The debate continues about the origin of this Indian cuisine. Some say the Mughals developed the dish, while others argue that it is Iranian or Persian. Biryani comes from the Persian word Birian, which translates to “fried before cooking.” No matter how it came to be, it is fair to say that many cultures have impacted Indian food. India took those new flavors and cooking methods and adapted them into its society.
Is it very spicy?
Spice is subjective. While what some consider spicy hot might be barely warm to others, Indian dishes are known to produce the heat! Unlike the fiery dish Vindaloo, Biryani is more of a mildly spiced dish. Recipes do vary from restaurant to restaurant. Ask your waiter about the heat level of their restaurant’s Biryani before you order if spicy is not your thing. We say embrace the rice and spice goodness, give it a try!
What about nutrition?
Can anything as universally loved as Biryani be healthy? A recent study concluded this about the health benefits of this Indian Cuisine – “Biryani is a unique dish in itself in the sense of prepared from healthy ingredients. Non-veg biryani is a good source of carbohydrates because of rice content and is also rich in protein because of chicken, mutton, fish, and egg. Veg biryani is a good source of vitamins and minerals and is a healthy option to incorporate plenty of veggies into a single meal.” Good news indeed!
Did you know?
According to the Uber Eats Craving Report for 2021, Indian Food was the fourth most ordered cuisine of the year. Garlic Naan and Chicken Tikka Masala were also in the top ten most ordered items. DoorDash saw a 541% increase in kabob orders. And finally, Zomato is a popular food delivery service in India. In 2018 they reported that Chicken Biryani was the most ordered dish in the country.
With at-home chefs, Biryani is cooked over low heat. A best practice when preparing this meal is to make the meat and rice separately. As the rice is the star, take extra care not to overcook it. For an authentic taste, perfectly fried onions are a must. Use Ghee, or clarified butter, to add flavor.
Wondering what to serve at the next birthday party, wedding shower, or lunch meeting? Indian food can be a great option for special occasions and corporate events. Delight your guests and co-workers with mouth-watering appetizers, incredible entrees, and sweet desserts for your next get-together! Great food and happy people all around!
While this is a hearty meal, you may want to offer your family, friends, and guests a bit more. Add a side dish or two when serving this meal. How about dessert? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Kachumber Salad
Bring on the freshness with chopped pieces of cucumber, onions, tomatoes, and garnished with cilantro, lemon, and chat masala.
Samosa Chat
Vegetable samosas topped with chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, seasoned yogurt, tamarind, and mint sauce. Perfectly delicious!
Garden Salad
Tender layers of crisp lettuce, ripe red tomatoes, savory onions, and vegetables of your choice are a great addition to this feast.
Samosa
Who doesn’t love a Samosa? Especially when the filling is potatoes and green peas!
Kheer
Add some cheer to your dinner table with Kheer. Sweet basmati rice pudding with raisins and almonds
Gulab jamun
Deep-fried soft cheese balls dipped in rose-flavored syrup. Gulab Jamun, yes please!
Ras Malai
Ras Malai incorporates sweet cottage cheese dumplings flavored with cardamom and rose water in a creamy milk sauce. Yum!
Final thoughts –
It is no wonder that this Indian Food is famous all over the world. The flavorful spices, toothsome meats, and perfectly seasoned rice: its fame is well deserved. The history and culture are cooked into every bite of Biryani. Whether you try this dish at home or support your local Indian diner, we are sure your palate is about to expand. When you are tired of the same old fast-food burger & fries, or soggy to-go tacos, add some Indian cuisine into your life!
Indian Delight is located in the great city of Cleveland, Ohio. Biryani is one of the many wonderful Indian dishes on our menu. We offer dine-in, take-out, and delivery. Do you have a special event coming up? Ask us about catering. When you are in the area, be sure to stop in for a meal you won’t forget! We hope to see you soon!
