This week I bring you the lush and rich aromas of the kitchens of hyderabad. Known world over for the richness of their
Food, clothing and lifestyles. This richness has been inherited over centuries of nawabs and their entourages living a lavish and decorative but disciplined life. Traditional hyderabadi gentswear comprises rich flowing kurtas, sherwanis, and shawls which may be of very fine silks, and churidars for lowerwear. Mojris are preferred above the westernised shoes.
Ladies exude richness even in their daily living. Draped in very colourful salwar kameezes, in bright colours and flowing dupattas, which may even cover the head, they wear probably the most accessories one can think of, with this outfit, and most of them are in the form of rich, or weighty jewellery.
Special occasion clothes hold heavy thread, zardozi, sequin and other embroideries.
Their burkhas, or flowing over-robes are also made of silks and satins, which may have fine embroidery on them.
Most homes will hold at least some piece of furniture or relic dating back in time, and history is not forgotten and gone.
Their homes still hold a lot of the culture and customs intact.
Their food is also rich, spicy and aromatic, tomatch their lifestyles. They use plenty of whole spices to flavour their dishes.
Whole cardamoms,cloves and cinnamon are daily used spices. Though most of their fare is nonvegetarian, some of the vegetarian dishes are equally rich and full of flavour. Amon some of them covered by us already include dishes in the handi cooking section.
Shallow wide flatbottomed handis are their favourite cooking vessel. The food is sealed in this container and kept on a low fire to cook with all the flavours and juices trapped inside to give incomparable taste after cooking.
Sweet dishes include a milk as a major ingredient and the dishes are fit to use as dessert after any meal.
Some exotic ingredients significant to this type of cooking include tamarind flowers, drumstick flowers and leaves, and rosella leaves.
