The months of July and August bring with them a host of festivities, as the air gets slightly nippy and mother nature bestows upon us the refreshing monsoon showers after months of scorching heat. And the festivities begin with Eid-Al-Adha, which is also known as Bakrid or Bakra Eid. This Eid is celebrated every year all over the world by the Muslim community.
Eid-al-Adha takes place after the end of Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, and is supposed to be on the 10th day of Dhu-Al-Hijjah or the ‘month of the pilgrimage’. The date of Eid al-Adha varies every year in the Gregorian calendar, and this year, it will be celebrated on July 10.
Since meat is a popular dish on the occasion, a host of chicken and mutton dishes are prepared in Muslim households as part of the celebratory feast. So, one can picture juicy kebabs, delicious nihari, rich mutton curries, and so much more in the sumptuous feast which is prepared to get together with friends and family. And believe us, it is a heaven for non-vegetarian lovers. And if you are planning to host an Eid feast or dawat at home, fret not, we’ve got you sorted with a full menu for the do right here.
FOR STARTERS
1. Chapli Kebab
A plate of delectable kebabs can set the tone for a lavish meal, isn’t that true? Said to have its origins in Peshawar in Pakistan, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which is renowned for its meaty fare, Chapli Kebab is a popular street food item across the region. Typically made with beef, over the years these kebabs have seen many renditions. In India, chapli. The word ‘Chapli’ is derived from the Pashto word chaprikh/chapdikh/chapleet, meaning ‘flat’. These kebabs look like a flat meat patty that are shallow-fried on tawa. This juicy kebab recipe, made with minced mutton and a host of spices, can be a perfect snack to start your Eid feast with.
2. Shami Kebab
Ground mutton mixed with some split pea lentil and some whole garam masala, and blending all of them with some fresh herbs and spices make for these melt-in-mouth kebabs. These were in fact made by a khansama for a nawab who had lost all his teeth. Imagine the texture now. Don’t you think these would just sit perfectly on your starter table at the Eid feast?
FOR THE MAIN COURSE
1. Mutton Korma
Shallow-fried chunks of mutton simmered in a rich spicy gravy, sounds delicious already, doesn’t it? Think of those mutton chunks marinated in yoghurt or cream, stock and various spices and cooked on a slow flame. This delightful dish can add a special charm to your festivities.
2. Awadhi Biryani
How can we miss biryani when preparing an Eid menu? An indispensable part of an Eid dawat, this famous Awadhi Mutton Biryani recipe is a perfect union of slow-cooked mutton and aromatic rice that can be put together in just over an hour.
3. Haleem
This meat stew dish - that uses mutton, lentils, whole spices, and mashed together - gives an irresistibly delicious taste. Cooked in pure ghee, this dish is highly nutritious and rich in calories, perfect for a feat of this kind. Traditionally prepared in bhattis or brick-and-mud ovens, Haleem is still prepared the same way at a few places in Hyderabad.
FOR DESSERT
Kesar Phirni
After some rich and robust meaty delicacies, one might not have enough space for anything else, but a feast cannot be complete without a sweet delight. And what better than indulging in some traditional desserts like this Kesar Pista Phirni? Combining milk, rice, rose water, saffron, pistachio, rose petals and all things rich and luscious, this phirni is a perfect way to end your dawat.