Layers of Flavor, Layers of Love: Why Biryani is More than Just A Meal?

If there is one dish that is loved by people from all around the world, then it is none other than Biryani. Be it the rich textures, the aromatic fragrance of rice, or even the blend of spices, there is something about Biryani that makes people fall in love with it. Over the years, one of the special things about Biryani is that it has been widely loved and hence integrated across all events. Be it a wedding, birthday party, or even a casual get-together, Biryani has become the most special dish.

Biryani is best enjoyed with some Burhani or lassi on the side which is a drink that aids as a digestive. However, there are some people who love to enjoy biryani with a side of kebab. This could be the very special seekh kebab or even the rich and flavorful chicken tikka kebab. Wondering what it is that makes people crave a good biryani? Well, here are some things that you should certainly know about Biryani as a dish. 

The Origins of Biryani as a Dish 

There is quite a persistent debate among people that Biryani can only be made with meat. Technically, it is also right. The term biryani itself refers to a technique of cooking where the meat and the rice are simmered together and cooked in very low heat for a longer time. While the exact origin of biryani is still quite debatable, it is believed that Biryani as a dish traveled from the land of the Mughals and Persians. The word biryani is derived from the Persian word birian, meaning “fried before cooking,” and was believed to have been brought to India by Mughal rulers. 

The dish became so popular that each adopted biryani and transformed it into a new dish, ensuring that there was something unique to the dish from that particular region. The essence of biryani is in the aromatic fragrance and the mix of spices that tends to lend Biryani its true character. 

It is important to understand that migrants had come into various parts of India and eventually, this is what led to the diverse character of biryani. For example, the Hyderabadi form of biryani is quite different from that of Kolkata-style Biryani. Hyderabad is known for the Awadhi style of cooking while Lucknow tends to focus on the spice quotient for great flavours. To add to that Kolkata has something unique about Biryani that no other place has - the much-debated potato. Kolkata style Biryani usually goes easy on the spices and potato is accompanied with a boiled egg. 

Biryani - The Labour of Love

While the ingredients that are required to make biryani are indeed very important and have to be sourced perfectly, the technique involved is equally important. In fact, biryani can never be made in a hurry. It's a labor of hard work and a lot of patience. When you want to make biryani, it has to be a celebration. The secret lies in how you assimilate each and every ingredient and then layer it in the perfect way. 

The process usually begins with choosing the perfect ingredients - something that adds both richness and character to your dish. Source the best quality of rice, preferably long-grained basmati rice that has a flavor and texture of its own. To do that, you have to take perfectly sized meat pieces, preferably mutton, and marinate them in ground spices. Whole spices like saffron, mace, cardamom, cloves, and even bay leaves are extensively used when it comes to Biryani. The use of fried onions or beresta is quite easily found across various landscapes. 

The cooking style for biryani is also extremely special. This is known as the dum style of cooking. Here the marinated meat pieces are layered with rice, and potato if needed. To add to that, the layering is then sprinkled with a generous amount of saffron milk. You can also add some ghee to the biryani and the best option is to use the fragrant ghee that lends a rich character to your Biryani. 

The Emotional Connection With Biryani

The best part about Biryani is that you can enjoy it alone, or you can also choose to pair it up with something light like a chicken seekh kebab. The lamb seekh kebab in this case could be a hefty choice, given that lamb itself is a difficult-to-digest meat. Biryani evokes a strong sense of emotion amongst everyone because of how comforting the meal is. Rice and meat itself is nutritious and pairing them together tends to add more character and taste to the dish. 

In many households, biryani is a celebration. It gets made or people get to order biryani when they have something to celebrate. The sheer anticipation of opening a vessel in dum, which is filled with biryani, and the captivating aroma itself is something that makes people jump in sheer joy. 

Even beyond family reunions, a very important thing about Biryani is that it tends to have an unifying experience. In fact, in a lot of cases, it also has religious celebratory connotations. For example, biryani is a staple in many houses that want to celebrate Eid together. Friends and family tend to gather together so that they have the perfect gala time, sharing a scrumptious meal. 

Conclusion

Biryani could be a joyous celebration, but it is equally important to make sure that you get hold of good quality biryani - something that is the perfect mix of flavors and richness. If you are in the UK and looking for a biryani that satisfies your taste buds, then the best choice is to depend on Tikka Nation. Not only Biryani, but you will also get to experience the best of Indian seekh kebab. The quality of the food is one of a kind and to add to that, the prices are extremely affordable too. Order today and you get to have an amazing biryani experience like no other. After all, whatever the celebration or the mood, Biryani is indeed the perfect choice.