North Indian

For hundreds of years, the Indian city of Lucknow has been famous for its opulent cuisine traditions, which are still practiced by a few chefs. Until the British arrived on the scene, Lucknow and the surrounding area were controlled by Nawabs. Incredibly wealthy, each Nawabi ruler had a team of chefs, who competed to create the most sumptuous meals. Theirs was a luxurious style of cooking — heavy on cream and oil, marinated meat and innumerable spices.

Thankfully a handful of recipes remain and the chefs have left some traditional and well loved recipes. When the Mughal empire crumbled the chefs and cooks were left to fend for themselves, they set up shop in the open market areas of Old Delhi and a love affair was sealed.

The Nawabi food is  exotic. It had to be unexpected.  Nawabi cuisine were riddle dishes. At one 19th-century feast, cooks used sugar, honey and other sweets to create an entire riddle meal. Desserts masqueraded as entrees like kebabs, curries and even whole fish. Even a simple, everyday dish would use, shall we say, instead of three or four spices, every day, it would change and would include 30 odd spices, condiments with flavoring agents. But what would always be essential there is an aromatic spice, which is dominant. … It is, again, like music.

Now, the Nawabi lifestyle is no more.

Our good friends mom comes from a royal family in Delhi. Their khandani Bawarchi(family chef) would make authentic nawabi food. She is passionate cook and a treasure cove of stories. Whenever she comes to visit her son in US, we are lucky to be invited to her place for dinner. I am very grateful to have eaten the amazing food. Even more thankful to have some recipes that she’s shared with me. This is the simplest of dishes I’ve learnt from her. Although, this recipe is a toned down version, easy ingredients, it does not lack in flavor. While it might not stand up to the chef or my aunt, it is extremely delicious.

Do try it out!! So good!