For anyone with an interest in Indian food that goes a little beyond an appreciation of aromatic curries, tempting thalis or dreamy dal dishes, there are a few Indian state names that may stand out thanks to their culinary notoriety. A penchant for the tender and succulent Tandoori meats of the Punjab, baked to perfection in a hot, clay oven, may mean this northern state sounds familiar to you; a preference for the spicy, coconut curries of Kerala suggests some knowledge of the specialities associated with the sunshine state of the south.
But pay a visit to one of London’s best Indian brasseries, where you can sample a selection of dishes from all over India, and you may encounter a cuisine that is not so well known. Hyderabad is the capital of the southern Indian state of Telangana, and although here in the UK its cuisine may not be as celebrated as that of some regions, it is renowned in the sub-continent as an Indian foodie’s paradise – and you might be surprised at how many of your Indian favourites may have originated here…
The taste of Hyderabad
Hyderabadi food pulls together a fusion of northern and southern influences – strategically selecting some of the best recipes, cooking techniques and inspiration that the best loved culinary traditions of India have to offer. The north brings the inventive recipes of the Mughal court to the table, the fragrant biyranis, pulaos and kebabs, whilst Hyderbadi cuisine simultaneously utilises the ingredients of the south, such as tamarind, mustard seeds and plenty of dried, red chillies.
Whether it is the tantalising street food of Hyderabad that reels you in, or the sophisticated specialities, like the Hyderabadi biryani, we can guarantee that after a taste of this delectable cuisine, you will be a convert.
Savoury specialities of Hyderabad
So, what should you eat on the streets of Hyderabad? First of all, the number one dish to try is the famous Hyderabadi biryani. The classic recipe calls for basmati rice, spices, lemon, chicken, yoghurt, onions and a garnish of onions and coriander. This dish is painstakingly prepared by smothering the marinated meat in a thick, spiced yoghurt prior to cooking. Then, the meat is carefully layered with rice and slow-cooked, using the dum cooking technique. It can be tricky to get the timings correct, so creating the perfect biryani is considered something of an art-form in Hyderabad.
Other classic savoury dishes of Hyderabad include paya, a spiced trotter dish; murgh dopiaza, a melt-in-the-mouth, chicken recipe; and the irresistible tunday kebabs. For a snack on the go, it’s hard to beat a keema samosa, stuffed to bursting with aromatic, spiced, minced meat; or try mirchi ka salan, green chillies slathered in coconut and peanut sauce, for a vegetarian treat.
The sweets of Hyderabad
After sampling the savoury dishes of Hyderabad, it is understandable you might fancy a taste of something sweet. Luckily, this state will leave you spoiled for choice. Shahi tukda is a bread pudding, soaked in milk, laced with ghee and flavoured with sugar and dried fruit and nuts. Or, for an Indian sundae, why not choose khubani-ka-meetha, created from apricot, boiled sugar and topped with thick, cold, sweet cream?