We know among the first things to cross your mind when we hear ‘Nizami cuisine’ are biryani and kebabs, and we don’t blame you. The two most loved and admired delicacies of India are the gifts from the nizams and we Indians owe our love for biryani and kebabs to them. The nizams ruled the princely state of Hyderabad for over 200 years and gave rise to one of the richest, most diverse and flamboyant cuisines that zing with some robust flavours.
While most of us have the notion of nizami food being full of spices, the flavours and spice levels differ in every case. The cuisine has goodies with varied flavour profiles from sour and tangy to creamy and spicy. The ingredients vary according to the dishes, making the cuisine rich. Here are some delicacies of nizami cuisine that you can try making at home.
1. Chicken Nizami
Best enjoyed with rice or naan, chicken nizami is a creamy and delectable dish made with cashew paste, coconut, poppy seeds, onion, green chillies and some aromatic spices. The dish will satiate your palate like no other dish and will leave you drooling.
2. Doodh Biryani
The creamy counterpart of the rich and spicy Hyderabadi biryani, doodh biryani is a simple and subtle dish made with milk, roasted nuts and some minimal spices. Try this biryani when you are craving a simple yet wholesome dish and we are sure it won’t disappoint you.
3. Bagara Baingan
The creamy, sour and delicious vegetarian dish is made with eggplants that are deep-fried and then sauteed with a peanut and coconut paste. The tamarind pulp and the creamy ingredients tantalise one’s palate just right, leaving them asking for more.
4. Patthar Ka Gosht
One of the most delicious and loved dishes in the country, patthar ka gosht is a lamb dish worth trying. The blend of yoghurt, papaya paste, garam masala and ghee enrich the dish with some delicious flavours and a mouth-watering aroma.
5. Dum Bhindi
If you had the notion that Nizami cuisine only has delicious non-veg dishes, you might be wrong. Dum bhindi is a rich and delicious veg dish filled with the goodness of Nizami flavours. Just like Hyderabadi dum biryani, this dum ki bhindi is made by covering the kadhai with a lid and sealed with wheat dough. This easy and quick dish is perfect for a comforting vegetarian dinner.