While we're a few months away from World Biryani Day, one doesn't really need a reason to explore, experiment and savour the flavours of this much-loved Indian delicacy. Biryani is a wholesome Mughlai meal made from rice and added Indian spices. But did you know that each part of the country makes this dish differently according to their tastes and regional cultures? While some may be tangy others may be spicy, some have gravy and some are layered to perfection. Biryanis are also prepared with various vegetables and meats as per the maker's liking. Here are a few varieties of Biryani according to the different regions of the country which you can taste at some of our recommended restaurants this World Biryani Day.
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Taste biryani from different parts of the country
7 Biryani Types To Add A Flavour To Your Mughlai Meal
1. Thalassery Biryani
This biryani originated in the Malabar region of Kerala and is also referred to as Malabar biryani. Small-grained locally-made recalled Jeerakasala or Khyma is the main ingredient for this biryani. To add flavour, Malabar spices, fried onions, chicken or mutton, ghee, and dry fruits are added to make this sweet and spicy delicacy. You can enjoy the authentic delicacy at Authentic Kerala in Mumbai.
2. Awadhi Biryani
This biryani from Lucknow is unique because of the way it is cooked. This biryani is prepared from marinated meat, chicken, or mutton which is cooked separately from the rice. Spices, saffron, cinnamon, and other ingredients are added to the meat and it is layered together in an earthen pot called handi. This makes a very flavourful dish. You can have a satiating culinary experience of Lucknowi biryani at Awadhee, Behrouz Biryani and The Biryani Life in Mumbai.
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3. Bhatkal Biryani
This biryani is inspired by the Bhatkal region in Karnataka. Bhatkal is a coastal town and is a speciality of Navayath cuisine. Bhatkal biryani has a pungent flavour which comes from the onion and green chillies which are used as the main ingredients in the meat. This mix is layered with rice, often of the basmati variety. Biryani Adda, Behrouz Biryani, and Dum Safar Biryani are a few restaurants that serve a good Bhatkal Biryani in Mumbai.
4. Tehari Biryani
What sets this biryani apart from the others is that this one is a vegetarian version made from potatoes and other veggies as the main ingredients. The absence of chicken or mutton in the dish makes it a highly controversial one but in a country where over 30% of the are vegetarians, there are more than a few takers. Legend has it that this biryani recipe was developed in the country's Mughal era to appease the vegetarians in the Mughal courts.
Biryani is prepared from rice and many Indian spices
5. Ambur Biryani
Originating in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, Ambur biryani is milder in flavour. In the recipe, meat is marinated in curd or yoghurt and added is added to cooked rice with dried red chillies and spices. Usually, a special type of seeraga samba rice is used for the preparation. It is accompanied by a vegetable curry. Anna Ambur Biryani, Star Biryani, and Ambur South Indian Biryani are some recommended outlets in Mumbai where you can taste this type of biryani
6. Beary Biryani
This Manglorean-style biryani is a speciality of the Beary community in the coastal Karnataka region. The dish is prepared using green chillies and coconut as the main ingredients and has a mild flavour. In this delicacy, the meat and rice are cooked separately before adding them back to the pot in layers to be cooked yet again. According to Reddit user, AdlerEule, "Because authentic Beary Biryani needs to be made in a large cauldron over a woodfire and slow cooked for hours, and unfortunately there is no restaurant that replicates this." But this Biryani is often served at functions, get-togethers and weddings in Southern India.
7. Chettinad Biryani
This spicy delicacy is from the Chettinad district of Tamil Nadu just as the name suggests. Made from seeraga samba rice, with coconut milk, cashew nuts, meat, ghee and spices for flavour, this preparation is mild. It is usually accompanied by spicy and tangy gravy. Banana Leaf, Lotus Court, and Dakshin Culture Curry are a few restaurants where this biryani can be savoured.
Which biryani version would you pick from this list?
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