Thalassery biryani
![]() Thalassery biryani
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Origin | |
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Alternative name(s) | Thalassery biriyani or biriani |
Place of origin | Indian subcontinent |
Region or state | Kerala |
Creator(s) | Malabar variant, Mughal inception |
Details | |
Course served | Main course |
Main ingredient(s) | Kaima/Jeerakasala rice, Chicken, Spices |
Approximate calories per serving |
250 |
Other information | Accompaniments: Raita, Grated coconut-mint chutney, Pickle |
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Thalassery biryani (IPA: [t̪laʃeɾi biɾijɑːɳi]) is a rice-based[upper-alpha 1] dish blended with spices and chicken.[1] As it is the only biryani recipe in Kerala cuisine,[2][upper-alpha 2] it can also be called Kerala biryani.
The main difference between Thalassery biryani and other biryanis is that it uses only Khaima/Jeerakasala rice—a short-grain, thin rice which is also called biryani rice in Kerala. The dish does not use basmati rice. Biryani is an exotic dish of Mughal origin, but this variant is an indigenous recipe of Malabar. It is a symbol of the cultural amalgamation of Mughal and Malabari cuisines. The Mughals brought the cuisine of biryani from Samarkand, and later variations of biryani developed in different parts of India. Thalassery biryani may have come to the region because of the influence of the Muslim rulers of Mysore and Arkot.[3]
Thalassery biryani is a cultural embodiment and is reminiscent of foreign influences in Malabar; it is a reminder of the Mughal-Arab cultural influence in North Kerala due to the trade that lasted for many centuries before the 1900s and the emigration to the Middle East of locals from the 1970s onwards.[4] Thalassery sea port was an export trade centre for spices where a convergence of European, Arab and Malabar cultures occurred.[5]
Contents
Etymology
The name "Thalassery biryani" (Malayalam: തലശ്ശേരി ബിരിയാണി, Hindi: त लश्शेरि बिरयानी, Tamil: தலச்சேரி பிரியாணி, Arabic: برياني تلشیری, Bengali: থালস্সের্য বিরিয়ানি) originates from Thalassery, a town in the coastal Malabar region in North Kerala, India. The word "biryani" is derived from the Persian word biryān (n) (بریان) which means "fried" or "roasted".[6] Biryani was believed to have been invented in the kitchens of the Mughal Emperors; Thalassery biryani is one of many ways of preparing biryani dishes. In the local dialect-Malayalam, there is a small variation in pronunciation. It is called biri-yaa-ni instead of bir-yani[1]
Historical and cultural influences
Thalassery biryani is an ample insignia of the Islamic cultural influence in the region. The dish is a traditional Mappila or Malabar cuisine. Ancient written records—except for a few treatise by historians—citing the origin of Mappila's (Malabar Muslims) are rare. The mythology about the conversion of the last Chera Emperor (Cheraman Perumal)—Rama Varma Kulasekhara Perumal—to Islam from Mahodayapuram (Kodungallur) by Malik Deenar and subsequent conversion of Perumal's sister and nephew residing in Dharmadam(a village located north of Thalassery) is generally believed to be the origin of Islam in North Malabar. Perumal is believed to have left Kerala from an erstwhile feudal province in the region named Poyanad (Poya Nadu-'The province from where he left') which lies in between Thalassery and Kannur taluks (Governed by local chieftains named Randuthara Achanmar before 1947).[7] Perumal's nephew Mahabali, is believed to be the first[8] Ali Raja of the Arakkal kingdom (The Sultanate of Lakshadweep and Cannanore)—the sole Muslim kingdom of Kerala. The Arakkal Kingdom controlled Dharmadam until the formation of Kerala state on 1 November 1956.[9] The legend showcases that these incidents had a significant influence in introducing Islamic culture in Thalassery. In the ancient period Thalassery—An erstwhile port town in North Malabar— was geographically in the convergence point of three regional provinces Chirakkal, Kottayam and Kadathanad. It was also the end point of the 'Perya pass' coming from the eastern hilly areas of Coorg and Wayanad making it an important trade center of spices in Malabar.[10] The Arab traders, the Arkot rulers and the invasion of Sultanate of Mysore were the other important factors which introduced and developed various Islamic culture in the region.[11]
During the Muslim holy month of Ramzan, Malabar dishes are made in abundant varieties.[12] The Muslim community of Malabar differs culturally; the lifestyle of the trader communities near the coastal towns differs from that of the farming communities in the inland and hilly areas; Malabar cuisine varies throughout the region. In the modern era as communication improved exponentially, the differences of culture between coastal and hilly area became inconspicuous resulting in the amalgamation of food culture with in the Muslim community in Malabar .[13]
The Mughlai cuisine had a significant influence upon Malabar recipes. Mughali recipes including Biryani, Kebab and Naan spread throughout India.[14] The ingredients included rice, maida, wheat and there was extensive use of ghee (clarified butter) and oils for preparation. Sweet delicacies were made from jaggery (unrefined sugar). Most of these dishes are non-vegetarian; chicken, mutton, lamb and beef are used but pork is not consumed due to religious regulations. Dish range from mild to extremely spicy, and the dishes have distinct aromas.[15]
The practice in Islamic food culture is that the non-vegetarian dishes are required to be "Halal"[16] [upper-alpha 3] compliant, such foods are supposed to be consumed by Muslims as a religious directive. The Malabar Mappila dishes are preferred by some societies to be compliant with the 'Halal' method of food processing.
Malabar cuisines
There are two classes of the non-vegetarian cuisine in Kerala; 'Malabar cuisine' which is from North Kerala and 'Syrian Christian cuisine' from the South. They are clearly distinct from each other; the former has Mughalai-Arab, Portuguese, British, Dutch, Jewish, French and the latter is a mix of Kerala traditional dishes which is rich in coconut and the Syrian, Dutch, Portuguese and British recipes.[17][18] Thalassery biryani is a Malabar cuisine recipe. Most of the Malabar dish cuisines are through frying using ghee and most of them are non-vegetarian. There are spicy as well as sweet dishes in them. Some of the Malabar cuisines are Ari Pattiri, Chatti Pattiri, Coin porottas, Kallummakaya fry, Arikkadukka and biryanis of chicken, mutton, prawn, fish, egg and sweeteners like Aleesa,[19] kadalpparippu ada, kozhikode halva and kayanirachatu.[20][21]
Biryani is usually seen as an occasional serving. The Malabar dishes for breakfast are Pattiri, Orotti etc. and the sweeteners are mostly used as snacks in evening.[22] The dish 'biryani' came to the region due to the Islamic influence and the recipe gradually evolved into Thalassery biryani which has a distinct cooking method and taste.
Differences from other biryani
Thalassery biryani uses a unique, fragrant, small-grained, thin rice variety named Kaima [23] or [[{{{1}}}]][]. This rice even though small in size, is different from the common small rice used in many Indian rice dishes. Kaima/Jeerakasala is not round unlike these common smaller variants and the fragrance of Kaima/Jeerakasala is another distinct feature. Other kinds of rice that could be used are Jeera rice, Jeerakasemba or small Bangladeshi biryani rice. The rice is white, short (small) grained, thin (not plum), but it is the aroma of these rice varieties which make then distinctive.[1][24] The recipe and cuisine of Thalassery biryani has clear conspicuous differences with other biryani variants.[25] The Kaima/Jeerakasala rice does not need pre-soaking, water is only used to clean the rice. After adequate boiling there should not be any water remaining in the cooking dish as it should have been evaporated completely. This is a major difference from other rice preparation, in which water has to be drained off after cooking.[26]
The blending of ghee rice with masala is done by the dum process (A method of cooking by sealing a lid tightly and placing hot charcoal on it). The biryani masala and ghee rice are arranged in layers inside the dish. Meat is cooked with masala on slow fire; it is layered with rice and the lid of the container is sealed with Maida dough or a loin cloth. Hot coal or charcoal is placed then above the lid.[27] Thalassery biryani is a Pakki-Biryani. There are two types of biryani; "Pakki" and "Kacchi", In Pakki style, the ghee rice is added to the fully cooked chicken-masala mix and then cooked by the "dum" process; where as in Kacchi style the ghee rice is added to the half cooked chicken and then cooked till it is fully cooked or the dum process is used.[28]
Specially dressed chicken [upper-alpha 4]is poured into the masala dish. The chicken is slowly cooked in the masala, and gets blended well with the juices of masala and spices.[1] The Thalassery biryani recipe has additional distinct features; unlike other biryanis it is not oily because of the dum process used for preparation. A unique blend of spices is added and the Kaima rice also adds a unique flavour. No oil is used to make the chicken, which is added raw into the masala mix.[upper-alpha 5]
Ingredients
For the recipe, see Thalassery biryani at Wikibook Cookbooks
- Khaima(Jeerakasala) rice[n 1]
- Chicken[n 2]
- Onion[n 3]
- Ginger[n 4]
- Garlic[n 5]
- Green chilli[n 6]
- Lime juice[n 7]
- Shallot[n 8]
- Coriander leaves[n 9]
- Mint leaves[n 10]
- Tomato[n 11]
- Ghee[n 12]
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil (vanaspati)[n 13][upper-alpha 6]
- Coconut oil[n 14]
- Edible Rose water[n 15]
- Curd or yoghurt[n 16]
- Table salt[n 17]
- Spices: Garam masala powder[n 18], Persian Cumin (Caraway)[n 19],[upper-alpha 7] Mace[upper-alpha 8][n 20], Turmeric powder[n 21], Red chili powder[n 22], Black pepper powder[n 23], Crushed curry leaves (Optional)[n 24] Cinnamon[n 25], Cloves[n 26], Cardamom[n 27], Malabar leaf (Indian bay leaf)[n 28], Indian white Poppy seed(Kaskas)[n 29] and for garnishing and texture Saffron[n 30] soaked in milk, Pinch of artificial food colour, yellow or orange; and fried (coconut oil) mix of Onion, Cashew nuts[n 31] and Kismis (sultana raisins)[n 32], Star anise[n 33] (Optional).[1][44][45][46]
- Preparation
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Step 3- Fried onions (known as 'Bista') used for garnishing (onion is fried along with cashew nuts and sultana raisins)
Accompaniments
Common side dishes served with Thalassery biryani are Coconut-Mint chammandi (Biryani Chutney), South Asian pickle and Raita. After the meal, hot lime-black tea (known among the Muslim community as 'Sulaimani') is served; this adds a special taste after the main course and is an aid to digestion. Lime tea is a common afters in the Malabar region, especially with a rice based main-course.[47]
Fried Indian anchovy or smelt[n 34] can be served as a starter if required and this is garnished with chopped onion, curry leaves and lime juice squeezed over it. Fried chicken in smaller pieces is also seen in some fiestas as accompaniments or as starters.
Daahashamani water, a medicated herbal water, is preferred to be used when drinking water with biryani.[48] Daahashamani[n 35] is an ayurvedic medicine and natural thirst reliever and digestive aid prepared by mixing dry ginger[n 36], cardamom, cloves, coriander seeds, mimosa catechu[n 37], sapanwood[n 38], vetiver[n 39], puncturevine[n 40] and sandal wood, it is usually available in local markets.[49][49][50]
Popularity
The dish is popular and is often served in Malabar in weddings and other celebrations and parties. Biryani is an unavoidable dish for the Muslim community. Even though Sadya is the traditional cuisine for Hindu weddings in the region, Hindus and Christians often serve biryani, mainly because it is easier to prepare than other main course dishes and it is a complete food that avoids the extra effort of making curry.[51][52][53][54] Unlike south Kerala, non vegetarian dishes are served during Onam and Vishu in Malabar and biryani is often served on these occasions.[55]
Nutrition
The dish is rich in nutrients as it is a rice-spice dish. It is high in proteins and carbohydrates, and is also a source of minerals and vitamins. Nutritional value (According to U.S Dept. of Agriculture) of the spices is mentioned in the notes. The dish contains unsaturated and saturated fats; the saturated fat can be reduced by adjusting the quantities of hydrogenated vegetable oil (vanaspati) and ghee.[56][57]
In fiction
The Malayalam movie, "Ustad Hotel" is based on the preparation of Malabar biryani. The film is about a restaurant that specialises in Malabar cuisines that were made without adulteration and according to traditional recipes. The film narrates that customers choose this restaurant for the authenticity of the dishes.
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"April 2009 – We were at the first discussion meeting for Kerala Cafe in Kochi. All the directors arrived and I was meeting most of them for the first time. At lunchtime, biryani packets arrived at the table. It smelt delicious and as I helped myself I asked “where is this biryani from?”,.... in two years time we’d be creating Ustad Hotel together!" – Anjali Menon about the film.[58]
The fictional restaurant depicted in the film is a prominent destination for food lovers as the cuisine is based on genuine Malabar recipes. The restaurant serves their flagship dish-Thalassery biryani to all customers who reach there for the first time. The story depicts these customers as admiring the dish from the first time itself and whenever they come back to the city they choose this restaurant and order this biryani [59] The story depicts the importance of fiesta in Malabar culture. The choice of making the recipe of Malabar biryani as a theme for a blockbuster film shows how elegantly the dish is perceived in Malabar region and throughout Kerala.[60]
See also
Notes and references
Notes
- Name of ingredients and their corresponding nutritional value (Link to this is given as highlighted superscript). Data reference: Nutrient Data Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service. Items marked in asterisk (*) are optional ingredients.
- ↑ Malayalam: കൈമ(ജീരകശാല) അരി-Khaima rice
- ↑ Malayalam: കോഴി ഇറച്ചി-Chicken
- ↑ Malayalam: സവാള-ഉള്ളി-Onion
- ↑ Malayalam: ഇഞ്ചി-Ginger[30]
- ↑ Malayalam: വെളുത്തുള്ളി-Garlic
- ↑ Malayalam: പച്ച മുളക്-Green chili
- ↑ Malayalam: ചെറുനാരങ്ങ-Lime (fruit)
- ↑ Malayalam: ചുവന്നുള്ളി(ചെറിയ ഉള്ളി)-Shallot
- ↑ Malayalam: മല്ലിയില-Coriander leaves[31]
- ↑ Malayalam: പുതീന-Mint leaves
- ↑ Malayalam: തക്കാളി-Tomato
- ↑ Malayalam: നെയ്യ്-Ghee
- ↑ Malayalam: വനസ്പതി-Dalda (Vanaspati)
- ↑ Malayalam: വെളിച്ചെണ്ണ-Coconut oil
- ↑ Malayalam: പനിനീര്-Edible rose water
- ↑ Malayalam: തൈര്-Curd/ diluted Yogurt
- ↑ Malayalam: കറിയുപ്പ്-Table salt[32]
- ↑ Malayalam: ഗരം മസാല-Garam (Curry) masala[33]
- ↑ Malayalam: ശീമ ജീരകം (സാ ജീരകം)-Persian Cumin (Caraway)
- ↑ Malayalam: ജാതിപത്രി-Mace[35]
- ↑ Malayalam: മഞ്ഞള് പൊടി-Turmeric powder[36]
- ↑ Malayalam: ഉണക്ക മുളക് പൊടി-Red chili powder[37]
- ↑ Malayalam: കുരുമുളക് പൊടി-Black pepper powder[38]
- ↑ Malayalam: * കറിവേപ്പില-Curry leaves
- ↑ Malayalam: കറുവപ്പട്ട-Cinnamon[39]
- ↑ Malayalam: ഗ്രാമ്പു-Cloves[40]
- ↑ Malayalam: ഏലക്ക-Cardamom[41]
- ↑ Malayalam: കറുവാപട്ട ഇല-Bay leaf[42]
- ↑ Malayalam: കസ്കസ്-Poppy seeds
- ↑ Malayalam: കുങ്കുമ പുവ്-Saffron[43]
- ↑ Malayalam: കശുവണ്ടിപ്പരിപ്പ്-Cashew nuts
- ↑ Malayalam: മഞ്ഞ ഉണക്കമുന്തിരി-Sultana(Thompson Seedless) raisins
- ↑ Malayalam: * തക്കോലം-Star anise
- ↑ Malayalam: നത്തോലി/കൊഴുവ
- ↑ Malayalam: ദാഹശമനി-Daahashamani herbal mixture and the following are its ingredients
- ↑ Malayalam: ചുക്ക്
- ↑ Malayalam: കരിങ്ങാലി
- ↑ Malayalam: പതിമുഖം
- ↑ Malayalam: രാമച്ചം
- ↑ Malayalam: ഞെരിഞ്ഞി
- ↑ Thalassery biryani uses only Kaima/Jeerakasala rice, and does not use basmati rice. Basmati rice is used for variations such as Hyderabadi biryani
- ↑ (Author)Pratibha Karan; (Title) Biriyani (2009); Topic: List of biriyanis by location.[2] Thalassery biryani is the only biryani variant mentioned in the Kerala section, the rest of the recipes being variations based on change of meat like mutton, prawns, chicken, fish, egg, etc. Variations of the dish may include mutton, fish, eggs or vegetables.
- ↑ Halal[16] is a religious obligation, an Islamic belief where in the name of The Almighty should be uttered, also water and a little food should be given before cutting the jugular vein by the butcher. Processed non-vegetarian foods sometimes carry "Halal Tags", to help the Muslim consumers.
- ↑ Chicken Dressing: Chicken is cut into comparatively larger pieces than the ones used for curry. Marination (immersing in water) is done for 20 to 30 minutes. It is then thoroughly cleaned many times ensuring there are no bloodstains on it. Chicken for biryani is cleaned and the skin and other inedible parts are removed and the chicken is cut into pieces. Usually the drumstick (leg portion) is added as it is.[29]
- ↑ Fresh meat is added directly to the masala. It is important to note that the dish requires no oil for making the chicken base for genuine Thalassery biryani, however some experimental variations in recipes uses fried chicken.
- ↑ Sunflower Oil can also be used in adequate proportions to reduce the usage of Dalda/ Vanaspati, as a good health choice; however Dalda/ Vanaspati cannot be completely avoided.
- ↑ There are different varieties of fennel used in food recipes. They are *Cumin-Malayalam: ജീരകം, *Fennel (Sweet Cumin)-Malayalam: പെരും ജീരകം, *Aniseed(Anise)-Malayalam: അനിസ്, *Black Cumin (Black Caraway)-Malayalam: കരിഞ്ജീരകം, *Caraway (Meridian Fennel, Persian Cumin)-Malayalam: ശീമ ജീരകം (സാ ജീരകം). In Thalassery biryani Caraway or Persian Cumin is used[34]
- ↑ Mace is the outer covering of Nutmeg
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Karan 2009, p. 196.
- ↑ Abdulla 1993, p. 2.
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Ramunni 1993, p. 58.
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- ↑ Karan 2009, p. 'Introduction'.
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- ↑ Ishrat Alam 2004, p. 40.
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Bibliography of notable references
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Further reading
- Malabar biryani: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Hyderabadi biryani: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Basmati Chicken biryani: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thalassery biryani. |
Thalassery biryani at Wikibook Cookbooks
- Map of Thalassery Town: Google Maps
- Recipe for Malabar biriyani: deepsrecipes.com
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- Indian rice dishes
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