Karachi is a place which hosts people of many ethnicities and cultures. This makes it a place with a highly diverse variety of customs, architecture, and, most importantly, food. When it comes to food, No one can excel in the love of Karachiites for food. Yes, Karachi indeed has a wide variety of food options. However, something common in all restaurants in Karachi is Biryani.
Don’t take my word for it; see it yourself; you’ll find a small cabin selling Biryani at every other corner. Not only this, Biryani is a common dish available at all events. Whether it’s a birthday party or a wedding, Biryani is on the menu. Although Pakistan doesn’t have a national dish, I vote for Biryani. In this blog, ill tell you all you need to know about this rice-filled delicacy served in fast food restaurants in Karachi.
The History Of Biryani
Biryani originates from the Persian term “birian” which means to “fry before cooking.” Similar to Nihari, Biryani also has its origins in the subcontinent. Its origins took place during the reign of the Mughal emperors.
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Although the original Mughal Biryani involved pre-cooked ingredients, this approach was changed by the Nizam of Hyderabad, who introduced a new way. His style involved putting all the uncooked ingredients in a pot and cooking them on a slow fire. The pot is called a “deg,” and it is heated slowly until all the ingredients are cooked.
Difference Between Biryani And Pulao
Regarding dishes containing rice, the Karachi foods menu includes two dishes, Biryani and Pulao. Although both consist of chicken and rice, there is a difference between these dishes.
Yes, although both dishes contain rice, however, the difference is that both these dishes have different cooking methods to them. Cooking Pulao is way simple as compared with biryani. Cooking of Pulao uses the absorption method. In this method, all the ingredients, such as the meat and rice, are put in one pot and left to boil. The ingredients boil to the point that the rice absorbs all the water.
On the other hand, in all the good restaurants near me, the style of cooking Biryani is different from that of Pulao. When Pulao works on the Absorption method, Biryani works on the draining method. In Biyani, the cook uses ghee to cook the rice; once this is done, the cook adds the other ingredients and then puts the mixture in ghee once again.
Another thing that makes Pulao different from Biryani is that it contains lots of spices; This makes it a tasty dish and a major part of the food delivery and restaurant business.
Although food enthusiasts still debate which is better, either Biryani or Pulao, one thing is for sure: those who love spice prefer Biryani over Pulao. This is why Biryani only gets positive reviews when it is spicy. Still, both food options are available on mobile food-ordering apps, so choose what suits you best.
Different Variations Of Biryani
As is the case with all recipes, Biryani variations also exist. Popular variations of Biryani include Mughlai biryani, Hyderabadi biryani, Kolkata Biryani and Punjabi biryani. All these recipes have minor differences in the ingredients used for cooking them.
For example, Mughlai Biryani uses eggs as a part of the ingredients. On the other hand, Hyderabadi Biryani uses spices and meat, and a layer of raisins is put on top. In either case, the ingredients are more or less the same. However, the cooking style is different. The best part is that all these Biryani types are available for food delivery in Karachi.
The Recipe Of Biryani
The recipe for making traditional Biryani is broadly done in two steps. Marination and Cooking. To marinate, keep the chicken in a large bowl and season it with yogurt, onion and garlic paste; keep the mixture aside for one hour.
Now, the process of cooking begins. First, soak the rice in a bowl of water for a period of 30 minutes. At the same time, add the onions to a pan of ghee or oil. Once the onions are brown in colour, add the chicken to the mix and cook for five minutes.
After this, set the flame to a low temperature and cook till the chicken becomes soft. Once you are sure that the chicken is soft, add the boiled rice on top and do not mix. Cover up the cooking pot and open it when the pressure starts to release.
Also Read: Healthy Food Options Available On Food Delivery App
The Ending Note
Karachi is a great food place; there are many places with a wide variety of food ranging from barbeque to biryani. The best part is that most food delivery apps offer 24-hour food delivery in Karachi. The best part is that these restaurants also have the option of restaurant ratings, so by looking at these ratings, you can order the best food and satisfy your cravings
