ON

COMPILED BY:
Rajib Ranjan A2706006104
Amity School of Hospitality
INDEX
• GUIDE CERTIFICATE • ACKNOWLEDGEMENT • OBJECTIVE • METHODOLOGY • LIMITATION • I
NTRODUCTION • ABOUT AWADH CUISINE • CULINARY TERMS • MUTTON • FISH • VEGETABLE F
ARE • PULSES • RICE • BREADS • SWEET DISHES • CURD DISHES • USE OF HERB & SPICES
IN AWADA CUISINE
• CONCLUSION • SUGGESTION • BIBLOGRAPHY
• QUESTIONNAIRE
GUIDE’S CERTIFICATE
I have the pleasure to certify that __________________ a has pursed his research
present STUDY is the
student of ______________________ , my supervision and guidance . The is being
work and prepared the project “AWADH CUISINE ” under result of this own research
to the best of my knowledge. This submitted to Amity School of Hospitality for
the Partial fulfillment of the requirements of the four year fulltime degree in
hotel Management.
Guides Signature
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This Project Sir. I sincerely acknowledge the contribution of the suggestions gi
ven by Mr. Pranshu Chomplay without which his project could never became a ratif
y. Last but not least I acknowledge all my friends who gave me suggestion and fu
ll support by heart.
AWADH CUISINE is a successful out come
of my hard work with the help and guidance of my respectable
OBJECTIVES
1. To find the Overview of Awadh. 2. To find the Cuisine of Awadh. 3. To find th
e Food of Awadh. 4. To find the Dishes of Awadh. 5. To find the Dining of Awadh.
6. To find the Receipes of Awadh. 7. To find the Food Style of Awadh. 8. To fin
d the Food Equipment of Awadh.
METHODOLOGY
1.Desk research, which includes: books, Internet, magazines and journals. 2.Thro
ugh personal and telephonic interviews. 3.Through correspondence with export man
agers, owners of vineyards and eminent people in the industry by means of e-mail
and paper mail. 4. By attending shows, seminars, lectures, talks, forums, etc.
LIMITATIONS
1. Non-availability of appropriate books regarding the subject. 2. Contradictory
statements regarding Awadh food in different books. 3. Lack of opportunities to
solve queries regarding Awadh Food. 4. Since the subject of Awadh food is a ver
y new one, gaining knowledge from the people concerned was very difficult as few
experts are available in this field. 5. Trying to gain access to these experts
to interview them was another problem.
INTRODUCTION
Food occupies the highest position in most cultures and religions. A most unique
example of spiritualism manifested in a physical form… the evidence of the boun
ties of God and human motivation for existence. Pahile Taam Badahu Kalaam Fir
st food then communication, is the evidence of its supreme position, Considerab
le spirituality revolves around food, which is blessed and elevated to the posit
ion of Nemat - the special creations of God for His most special creation, the
human being, this opens a different dimension to the subject of food…. What. Ho
w much, which meal is blessed, when. ,Where and how - and how much and most impo
rtantly when to negate food fasting, dieting, etc.
From the finer layers of all this is born the culture of food. The evolution of
the Zaiqa , the taste,.. And it pervades the entire milieu, from festivities to
celebrations, from intimate nashishts to public mahfils , The aroma rises fr
om smoke filled kitchens to elaborate dastarkhwans where words and images are
as cleverly woven, as condiments and herbs,.. where the same m~at tells a differ
ent story through its varied Zaiqa , Yet, food is an intimate feeling of loving
care and warmth of human relationships. It is the most regular and the most con
sistent form of reinforcing tenderness. Food in Awadh had evolved to become a to
tal experience of an occasion - fragrant, visually appealing and almost magical.
. and truly such is the scope of this book - extremely detailed, well researched
and evocative of the ambience of a bygone era. It brings to life a number of re
cipes and techniques that had gone into oblivion; and with it a new interest in
this rich Form of cuisine; it opens an enormous future for the refined internati
onal palate, the art of cooking and above all the promotion of Lucknow - because
there is no substitute for enjoying this fare other than in its own milieu. It
ranges from simple to the rich, exotic to the earthy, and for the gourmet opens
up a vast canvas to create and balance a wide range of
menus to suit every possible taste to leave an everlasting impression...
ABOUT AWADH CUISINE
It was 137 years ago that the last of the kings of Avadh walked on the sarzameen
(land) of their beloved Lucknow. While these monarchs sat on the throne of Avad
h, there was nothing that they left untouched, thankfully, for their touch was l
ike the proverbial magic wand. It could raise the most mundane of activities int
o the realm of art and to
unattained heights of excellence. Little wonder that even bawarchis became maste
r creator of culinary delights. Powerful courts all over India vyed with each ot
her to wean away a cook who had either worked or was trained in Lucknow. To belo
ng to Lucknow was the highest qualification a cook could hold. The ruler of Avad
h engaged in peaceful pursuits since the battle of Buxar, and laid the foundatio
n of a culture which dazzled the world. Under their patronage developed a cuisin
e which did not remain the prerogative of royalty alone. Recipes traveled from t
he royal kitchens of the nobilities and from there, to the kichens of ordinary p
eople. All the while, research and innovation proceeded unabated in the bawarchi
khanas of the royalty and aristocracy where money was no constraint, neither wa
s time. In the mid 18th century, in the personal bawarchi khana of Nawab Shuja-U
d-Daula, Rs. 60,000 was spent per month or Rs. 7.2 lakhs per year on the prepara
tion of dishes. The dishes which adorned his dastarkhwan did not come from the k
itchen alone but from five other bawarchikhanas, including that of his mother Na
wab Begum and his wife Bahu Begum. These ladies separately spent Rs. 9,000 per
every month on the preparation of food. The staggering salaries of the hierarchy
of cooks and other kitchen staff came from a separate budget. However, high sal
aries were not the only reason for the excellent performance of the cooks. They
were given total freedom to pursue their work their own way. Examples of cooks l
aying down conditions of employment before crowned heads, and the latter meekly
accepting them, would only be found in Lucknow. And in Lucknow alone would you f
ind cooks strutting off in a huff if the king did not sit down for a meal when t
old to do so by the cook because the food was hot. A tale is told of a cook empl
oyed only to prepare mash ki dal (arhar ki dal) on a monthly salary of Rs. 500.
The dal was not cooked daily but once in a while, and the king was condition bou
nd to sit down at the dastarkhwan when he cook announced that dal was ready. The
king once delayed, so the cook left. Before leaving, he emptied the contents of
the dish at a place where stood a stalk of a dead tree. In a few days, leaves s
tarted sprouting from the stalk and before long, the tree turned a healthy green
colour (source: Abdul Sharar’s The last phase of an Oriental Culture). The stor
y may appear like an exaggeration but the fact remains that the
ingredients that went into the preparation of the royal dishes were very nutriti
ous. It was unwritten law that the master would sanction whatever quantity of in
gredients the cook demanded. No questions were asked nor doubts expressed. Anoth
er popular story goes that king Ghazi-ud-din Haider slapped his vazir Agha Meer
for reducing the quantity of ghee used by the cook in preparing parathas. The ki
ng was no fool. He said that even if the cook pilfered some ghee, so what? The p
arathas he made were excellent, while ”you rob the whole monarchy and think noth
ing of it.” It was not royalty alone who pampered their cooks. The nobility, ari
stocracy and people of lesser means too maintained well stocked and well staffed
kitchens from where were turned out the most exotic of dishes. Begums and ordin
ary housewives too preserved in their kitchens and acquired an excellence that c
ould match the skills of a professional bawarchi.
Lazeez Lauki Broadly, there are three categories of cooks in Lucknow. The bawarc
his cook food in large quantities. The rakabdars cook in small gourmet quantitie
s. Rakabdars also specialize in the garnishing and presentation of dishes. The n
anfus make a variety of roti, chapattis, naans, sheermals, kulchas and taftans.
Normally, one cook does not prepare the entire meal. There are specialists for d
ifferent dishes and also a variety of helpers like the degbos who wash the utens
ils, the masalchis who grind the masala and the mehris who carry the khwan (tray
) to be spread on the dastarkhwan. The wealthy always had their kitchens supervi
sed by was this officer’s seal on the khwan that guaranteed quality control. an
officer called daroga-e-bawarchi khana or mohtamim. It
The Lucknow dastarkhwan would not be complete unless it had the following dishes
. Qorma (braised meat in thick gravy), salan (a gravy dish of meat or vegetable)
, qeema (minced meat), kababs (pounded meat fried or roasted over a charcoal fir
e), bhujia (cooked vegetables), dal, pasinda (fried slivers of very tender meat,
usually kid, in gravy) Rice is cooked with meat in the form in the form of a pu
lao, chulao (fried rice) or served plain. There would also be a variety of rotis
. Deserts comprise gullati (rice pudding), kheer (milk sweetened and boiled with
whole rice to a thick consistency), sheer brunj, (a rich, sweet rice dish boile
d in milk), muzaffar (vermicelli fried in ghee and garnished with saffron). The
Lucknowi’s menu changes with the seasons and with the festival which mark the mo
nth. The severity of winters is fought with rich food. Paye (trotters) are cooke
d overnight over a slow fire and the shorba (thick gravy) eaten with naans. Turn
ips are also cooked overnight with meat koftas and kidneys and had for lunch. Th
is dish is called shab degh and a very popular in Lucknow. The former Taluqdar o
f Jehangirabad would serve it to his friends on several occasions during winter.
Zamin Doz Machchli Birds like patridge and quail are had from the advent of wint
er since they are heat giving meats. Fish is relished from the advent of winter
till spring. It is avoided in the rainy season. Lucknowis prefer river fish part
icularly rahu (carp), for fish bones are the last thing they would like to strug
gle with for this reason, fish kababs (cooked in mustard oil) are preferred. Pea
s are the most sought after vegetable in Lucknow. People never tire of eating pe
as. One can spot peas in salan, qeema, pulao or just fried plain. Sawan (spring)
is celebrated with pakwan (crisp snacks), phulkis (besan pakoras in salan), pur
i-kababs and birahis (paratha stuffed with mashed dal) khandoi (steamed balls of
dal in a salan), laute paute (gram flour pancakes, rolled and sliced and served
in a salan) and colocasia-leaf cutlets served with salan add variety. Raw mango
es cooked in
semolina and jaggery or sugar, makes a delicious dessert called curamba, in summ
er. These dishes come from the rural Hindu population of Lucknow. Activity in th
e kitchen increases with the approach of festivals. During Ramzan, the month of
fasting, the cooks and the ladies of the house are busy throughout the day prepa
ring the iftari (the meal eaten at the end of the day’s fast), not only for the
family but for the friends and the poor. Id is celebrated with varieties of siwa
iyan (vermicelli) – Muzzaffar is a favouritein Lucknow. Shab-e-barat is looked f
orward to for its halwas particularly of semolina and gram flour. Khichra or hal
eem , a del;icious mixture of dals wheat and meat, cooked together, is had durin
g Muharram, since it signifies a sad state of mind. There are dishes which appea
r and disappear from the Lucknow dastarkhwan with the season and there are those
which are a permanent feature, like the qorma, the chapatti and the roomali rot
i. The test of a good chapatti is that you should be able to see the sky through
it. The dough should be very loose and is left in a lagan (deep broad vessel) f
illed with water for half an hour before the chapattis are made.
Sheermals were invented by mamdoo bawarchi more than one and a half century ago.
They are saffron covered parathas made from a dough of flour mixed with milk an
d ghee and baked in iron tandoors. No other city produces sheermals like Lucknow
does and the festive dastarkhwan is not complete without it. Saffron is used to
flavour sweets too. Utensils are made either of iron or copper. Meat kababs are
cooked in a mahi tawa (large, round shallow pan), using a kafgir which is a fla
t, long handled ladle for turning kababs and parathas. Bone china plates and dis
hes were used in Lucknow since the time of Nawabs. Water was normally sipped fro
m copper or silver kato ras and not glasses. The seating arrangement, while eati
ng was always on the floor where beautifully embroidered dastarkhwans were sprea
d on dares and chandnis (white sheets). Sometimes this arrangement was made on a
takht or low, wide wooden table.
CULINARY TERMS
DHUNGAR This is a quick smoke procedure used to flavour a meat dish, daIs or eve
n raita. The smoke very effectively permeates every grain of the ingredients and
imparts a subtle aroma, which enhances the quality of the dish. The procedure m
ay be carried out either at the intermediate or the final stage of cooking. This
is a common technique employed while making kababs. The method is as follows. I
n a shallow utensil or a lagan in which the meat or mince has been marinated, a
small bay is made in the center and a katori or onion skin or even a betel leaf
(depending on the dish) is placed. In it a piece of live coal is placed and hot
ghee, sometimes mixed with aromatic
herbs or spices, is poured over it and covered immediately with a lid to prevent
the smoke from escaping. The lid is not removed till about 15 minutes, so as to
allow the smoke to work on the ingredients inside. The coal is then removed fro
m the utensil and the meat put through further cooking processes. DUM DENA This
is a frequently method used in Awadh cooking. Dum literally means breath and
the process involves placing the semi-cooked ingredients in a pot or deg, seali
ng the utensil with flour dough and applying very slow charcoal fire from top, b
y placing some live charcoal on the lid, and some below. The Persian influence i
s most evident in this method though in Awadh it has acquired its own distinct c
haracter. The magic of dum is the excellent aroma, flavor and texture which res
ults from slow cooking. This method is followed for a number of delicacies such
as the Shabdeg, Pulao and Biryani. Any dish cooked by this method is Dum Pukht
or Dum Bakht . GALAVAT Refers to the use of softening agents such as papain (f
rom raw papaya) or kalmi shora to tenderise meat.
BAGHAR This is a method of tern pering a dish with hot oil / ghee and spices. It
may be done either at the beginning of the cooking as in curries, or at the end
as for (pulses). In the former, the fat is heated in a vessel to a smoking poin
t and after reducing the flame, spices are added to it. When they begin to crack
le. the same process is carried out in a ladle which is immersed in the cooked d
ish and immediately covered with a lid, so that the essence and the aroma of the
spices, drawn out by the hot ghee are retained in the dish giving it their flav
our. GILE HIKMAT
Talking of Persian influence on Awadh cuisine one cannot ignore this in terestin
g method adopted for cooking. Gil in Persian is earth or mud and Hikmat impl
ies the procedure of the Hakims. This method is generally followed to prepare K
ushtas which are the ash-like residue of substances which cannot be consumed in
their natural form as they are toxic, for instance gems or metals. But when ado
pted for cooking purposes the method is as follows. The meat or vegetable to be
cooked is generally taken whole and stuffed with nuts and spices, It is then wra
pped in a banana leaf or cloth and covered completely with clay or Multani Mitt
i (Fuller s Earth) so as to seal it. It is thereafter buried about 4-6 inches d
eep.
Aslow fire is then placed on top for 6-8 hours after which the food is dug out a
nd is ready to be served! LOAB This is a term which refers to the final stage in
cooking when the oil used during cooking, rises to the surface. giving the dish
a finished appearance, This occurs mostly when slow cooking of gravy dishes is
involved.
MOIN It is the shortening of dough. In this process fat is rubbed into the flour
and made into a dough for kachoris or pooris orparathas. This makes the final p
roduct crisp, flaky and crumbly. ITTR (Perfumes) The use of perfumes play an imp
ortant role in Awadh cuisine they are used to enhance the aroma of the dish and
make it delicate. Most commonly they are made from musk deer, hunting of which i
s now banned worldwide.
Yakhni cuts (Mutton)
The cuts for Yakhni are generally bony pieces with flesh on them. These cuts are
usually taken from the joints and the ribs of the animal. The basic purpose of
mea t in preparing Yakhni is to derive the juice and flavour and hence the shape
of the meat does not count much. Chandi warq This is the process in which small
pieces of silver are placed. between two sheets of paper and then patted contin
uously with a hammer till it becomes papery thin. These are used in decorating t
he dishes before presentations, e.g. Chandi kaliya, Moti pulao. Zamin doz This i
s a style of cooking in which a hole is dug in the ground and the ingredients ar
e placed and covered with mud. Then burning charcoal is placed over it. The cook
ing process takes about 6 hours. Bhagona Or the patili is generally of brass wit
h a lid. It is used when a great deal of bhunna or saute is required. or even
for boiling and simmering. It is also used for preparingYakhni or Salan, Korma o
r Kaliya.
Deg/Degchi This is a pear-shaped pot with a lid of either brass, copper or alumi
nium. The shape of this utensil is ideally suited for the d:Jm method and is u
sed for cooking Pulaa, Biryani, Nehari or Shab Deg. Kadhai is a deep, cancave ut
ensil made afbrass, iron or aluminium and is used far deep frying paoris and the
like. Lagan is a round and shallow copper utensil with a slightly concave botto
m. Used for cooking whole or big cuts of meat or poultry especially when heat is
applied from both the top and bottom.
Lobe ka tandoor It is an iron tandoor. as distinct from the clay tandoor more co
mmon in Delhi. It is a kind of dome-shaped iron oven used for making most breads
such as the Sheermal. Taftan, Bakarkhani etc. Mahi tawa is the Awadh version of
the griddle shaped like a big round, flat bottomed tray with raised edges. used
for cooking kababs. Also used for dishes where heat is applied from both ends.
when covered. SEENI
is a big thali (round tray) usually used as a lid for the lagan or mahi tawa whe
n heat is to be applied from the top. Live charcoal is placed on it and the heat
is transmitted through it to the food. Thus the indirect heat has the desired e
ffect of browning and cooking the ingredients. All the copper and brass utensils
are almost always used after kalai or tin plating the insides.
MUTTON
The verdant plains of north India abound in cattle population. Traditional farmi
ng also encompasses rearing of other animals such as goats, sheep and pigs. Poul
try farming is also common. In and around Lucknow rearing goat and poultry for
the table is most prevalent. Religion and tradition have led to the choice of la
mb, chicken and fish as the favourite meats. But mutton is the fare that has sti
mulated the culinary genius of the cooks of Awadh in a way no other meat has. Th
e passion for perfection and style has led the cooks, and even the butchers, to
evolve specific preparations, for instance the
pasanda, chop, raan and so on. It is commonplace here to find customers at the b
utcher s shop patiently waiting for the cuts of their choice. Frozen and pre-cut
mutton is almost unthinkable in these parts. For the cook as well as the gourme
t, the quality of meat is something that can not be compromised on. The meat of
the male goat is preferred as it is believed to have more flavour and marrow in
the bones, The age of the animal is also considered while buying meat. If tender
meat is required, as for Hakeem then a younger animal is preferred.whereas wh
en flavour gets precedence. then the more mature goat is ordered. Thus the selec
tion of meat is an art espoused by passion and not as mundane as buying Beluga C
aviar or Smoked Salmon off a K-mart shelf. It would be pertinent, here to acquai
nt the reader with the typical mutton cuts used in this region for its cuisine.
Roughly following the order of dissection. the various cuts are as follows: The
neck portion of the lamb has non-fibrous meat and is therefore suited for cookin
g a korma. salan. pulao or biryani. The rib cage offers a variety of cuts. The
chops are cuts on the backbone and are part of the ribs. Usually a single rib i
s cut. However, if the goat is young two ribs are combined. Because of the high
bone marrow content and the tender
meat which is least fibrous. this cut is used for delicate kormas. kaliyas, pula
os and biryani. Another cut is the pasli ka panja which comprises four to five r
ibs of the floating end. that is, ribs on the breast side forming the cage, conn
ected with tissues and very tender meat. The flesh outside the rib cage is tende
r and has a lot of fat attached to it known as the rawaz which is used for cooki
ng purposes and also incorporated in the dough for breads such as Sheermal. When
the fat is removed from the flesh the meat still remains streaky. Cut into smal
l pieces, they are called parchas a,nd are specially used for biryani and pulao,
If minced, it is called chikna keema which is a high quality mild flavoured min
ce used for delicate kabab preparation such as the Galavat Kabab. The front legs
or agli dast and the hind legs or the raan are the most versatile in terms of t
he cuts. The trotter or the Paye are essentially the bones. which are used for m
aking the Paya Shorba, a kind of soup which is a popular ingredient of the Nehar
i in the winter months and also prescribed by the Hakims for convalescing patien
ts. These are
also used for making jelly saffron and sweetened with sugar chilled and served a
s a dessert. The two central bones of each leg contain a good amount of marrow a
nd are always cut into two halves. The cut obtained is called the nalli and is a
lways in good demand. The meat surrounding the nalli boti consists of several ba
nds of tendons covered with tissues. This elongated piece of flesh tapers down t
o a band which is connected to the bone joints. This portion is called the karel
i or machhli (fish) owing to its silvery and slippery appearance. The cut obtain
ed by cutting across the grain of the muscles is called the kareli boti which is
delicious when cooked in Nehari, korma or kaliya. The upper leg portion of the
hind leg is the raan. The raan can be cooked while like the Western roast and
is called the Raan Mussallam , Besides, flat pieces can be obtained from the ra
an which are called pasanda used for the delectable Pasanda Kababs which can eit
her be skewered or cooled in the lagan, The mince obtained from the raan or the
rookha keema is fat free and used for making kababs such as Patili Kababs, Kakor
i Kababs and Shami Kababs. The rump or the puth is basically a bony structure bu
t contains the liver and kidneys and a lot of fat attached to it called the char
bi which is used for cooking purposes, The
fleshy portion is called the puth ka parda and is used whole on skewers for the
Parda Kababs or for obtaining mince. The botis or cuts along the backbone are us
ed in salans and Yakhni. The liver and kidneys are cooked separately as a dry pr
eparation and are quite delicious and nutritious.
FISH
The court of the Nawabs of Awadh were not only resplendent with musicians and da
ncers but also sportsmen like wrestlers and swimmers who performed feats for the
noblemen. The authors were able to trace out one of the last vestiges, of that
ancient tradition in Nawab Agha of Sheeshmahal. He is the grandson of Nawab Mir
Fazle Ali Khan Bahadur who was honoured by the title of Mir Machhli by Nawab G
hazi-ud-din Halder.
and can stay afloat. He is known in Lucknow as Mainaz-eFairak (the ace swimmer
). Even now at the age of 70, he can dive from the top of the Husainabad Clock T
ower like his illustrious grandfather. Apart from water sports. the water of the
Gomti and several ponds in this region offer the best variety of fresh water fi
sh like the Rohu. Sole. Taingan. Pata, Moh.and Mahasher. The biggest fish market
in Lucknow is in the Qaiserbagh where you can get the choicest variety offresh
water fish. The best time to consume the fish is between September and April. Th
ough mutton is more popular among the people of Awadh, their passion for fish is
also remarkable. The wide array of fish recipes requiring different techniques
of cooking are ample proof of this. A saying thus goes. "Ask a fish what is its
last wish is and it will say - to be eaten by an Awadhi ."
KANTA GALI MACHHLI
INGREDIENTS 1 kg Fish 2 kg Curd 1-kg Onion 6 cloves Garlic 1 tsp Garam masala Sa
lt to taste 250 gms Ghee
Y2litre Water 125 gms Mustard oil Cut fish into halves. Place a mahi tawa on fir
e and pour mustard oil on it. When hot put the fish on it and fry both sides. Me
anwhile, keep 112litre hot water ready. When the fish is fried on both sides, im
merse it in hot water for 5 minutes and then in cold water. Next, remove the ski
n of the fish. Finely slice the onions and fry in the ghee to a golden brown. Ad
d chopped ginger, garlic, red chilli powder and garam masala, curd and salt. Stu
ff some masala in the fish by slitting it lengthways. Place a patili on fire, ma
ke a bed of masala in it, place the fish on it, and top with the remaining masal
a. Cover the patili and seal with dough. Cook on a very slow fire for 6-7 hours.
The bones of the fish by now would have been cooked. Serve hot with chapati.
VEGETARIAN FARE
The Gangetic plain, which cradled the erstwhile kingdom of Awadh, has been a gre
at melting pot of diverse religious and cultures. In Awadh, the Hindus and the M
uslims have coexisted amicably for years, and sohas their cuisine. Whilethe Musl
ims favour a eat-based diet, the Hindus have been predominantly, vegetarians. Th
ough these days, owing to centuries of intermingling of cultures.
sherbets, gourds and kulfi whereas in winter the appetite is perked up with Nimo
na (a green pea and lentil dumpling preparation), gobhi mussallqm and hot kheer.
The fertile plains yield a variety of crops and vegetables. Whether homegrown o
r bought from the local sabzi-mandi (vegetable market), the accent is always o
n the freshness of the vegetables. Apart from vegetables, milk and milk products
are a vital component of the vegetarian diet. Owing to a long tradition of catt
le rearing, milk has been a common source of nutrition. Milk products such as ba
lai, khoya, butter, ghee and curds are put to good use in Awadhi cuisine. Lentil
s or pulses are also an important source of proteins for the vegetarian and almo
st always feature on the daily vegetarian menu. Rice and wheat breads such as th
e roti, paratha. puri, kachori are the common accompaniments alongwith relishes
such as pickles, chutneys and murabbas (preserves).
KARELA KA DULMA
INGREDIENTS
6 Bitter gourds (karela) 3 Onions 6 Cloves garlic
2 tsp Coriander powder 1 tsp Turmeric powder 1 V2tsp Aniseed 1 tsp Black onion s
eeds 1 tsp Chironji 5 Cashewnuts 4 tsp Salt 150 gms Ghee or oil Wash the gourds,
lightly scrape the skin with a knife, cut off the top and keep aside. Gently sc
rape out the fish and seeds with a knife with a narrow blade. In Y2litre of wate
r, dissolve 3 tsp. salt and soak the gourds in it for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, gra
te the onions, extract juice of the garlic and keep aside. Lightly roast the ani
seed and black onion seeds on a griddle and pound. Also lightly roast the chroni
c and cashew nuts and grind to a paste. Now, in a griddle heat a tablespoon of g
hee/oil to a smoking point. Reduce the name and sprinkle the garlic juice. Then
add the grated onions and saute for 5 minutes. Next add all the dry masalas incl
uding mango and turmeric powder. nut paste. salt and saute on a slow name for 5
minutes. Remove and keep. Remove the karelas from brine, and squeeze out water.
Invert and keep in a sieve or dry in the sun for 15 minutes. Then fill each gour
d with the masala paste, put the cut end on the gourd and stitch with a needle a
nd thread to make it secure. Heat ghee or oil in a kadhai or
frying pan to a smoking point. Reduce the name and carefully place all the gourd
s in it and cover and cook on a slow FLAME. Cover and cook till all sides are ev
enly done. Remove with a slotted spoon, draining away excess oil. Serve hot or a
t room temperature with chapatis. Remove the thread before serving.
GOBHI MUSSALLAM
INGREDI E N T S
1 (medium size) Cauliflower 1 large Onion 1" piece Ginger 1 tbsp Poppy seeds
5 Cashewnuts 1tsp Turmeric powder 1tsp Chilli powder Salt to taste 1 Blade Mace
1 Stick Cinnamon 5 Green cardamoms 5 Cloves 150 gms Curd 100 gms Ghee 250 gms Sh
elled green peas 1/.1tsp Cumin seeds Wash the whole cauliflower, cut off the mai
n stalk and remove the leaves. Finely slice the onion, fry to a golden brown col
our and grind to a paste using some of the curd. Separately grind the ginger, ma
ce, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. Lightly roast the poppy seeds and cashewnuts
on a griddle and grind to a paste. Parboil cauliflower in half litre salted wate
r. Remove. Now in a kadhai. heat the ghee in which the onions were fried and pla
ce the cauliflower upside-down first so as to lightly brown it. Turn and cook th
e stem side for 5 minutes. Remove and place in the curd. Mix all the ground ingr
edients, chilli and turmeric powder and salt and pour over the cauliflower. In a
lagan, place the cauliflower along with the marinade. Pour ghee on the top and
sides, saving 1 tbsp for
the peas. Cover and place slow charcoal fire on the lid and also below the lagan
. Cook till the masala is dry but moist and the cauliflower is done. Meanwhile.
in the kadhai heat a tbsp. of ghee and add the cumin seeds. When they begin to c
rackle, add the shelled peas. a pinch of salt and cook till tender. When the cau
liflower is done. serve on a bed of peas.
PULSES
The Awadh diet is based on meats, vegetables. cereals and legumes. Pulses or da
Is are commonly consumed and are relatively cheap, and rich in proteins. A dal
is a vital component of the poorman s diet. Even the dastarkhwans of the rich. F
ull ofmeat and sweets, extended to accommodate a wide array of dals. which were
prepared with great passion. With their Midas touch, the rakabdars transformed
the humblest of dals to the esoteric. Legend has it that a certain
rakabdar of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, specialised in cooking daIs. He would use one
asharfi (gold coin) for every Baghar . This practice intrigued the treasurer
who suspected some foul play. Hoping to catch the cook red-handed, he appeared i
n the kitchen one day to enquire about the fate of the gold coins. On being ques
tioned, the cook politely told him t!:Iat there was no need for such suspicion a
nd pointed towards a shelf where all the coins were neatly stacked. But when the
amazed officer tried to pick up a coin. It turned to dust in his hands Gone are
the Nawabs and the asharfis but the people of this region are still enthusias
tic about the various dals. They are particularly passionate about the Arhar ki
Oal or Pigeon-pea, which incidentally is a legume which takes the longest time (
about 9 months) to mature in the field.
RICE
North Indians pride themselves in growing the world s finest variety of scented
rice known as Pilaf Rice or Basmati Rice. In the region of Awadh, the cooking o
f rice attained superlative heights of fineness, both in terms of variety and me
thod of preparation, often considered a symbol of prosperity in these parts. No
festive occasion or celebration goes without a rice
preparation. Also, no other region of India can boast of more varieties of Rice,
which is appreciated more in Delhi and Hyderabad, is considered to be a poor cu
isine of the exalted Pulao. and The former was considered considered an rat affr
ont her on the The sensibilities of the exalted to the. method of cooking colour
form, which were crude. Yakhn1 Pulao, on the other hand, is a beautiful. aesthe
tic. blend of rich mutton stock, aromatic spices, balai and rice. The delicate f
lavour and aroma of this pulao is a treat to the senses.
BREADS
Indian breads have a unique character. very different from their Western counter
parts in terms of taste and variety. The knowledge of the art of making bread is
very basic to any cook. Always prepared fresh and hot for every meal. or at the
most. carried over for the next meal, a day bread is not considered.
The variety of breads is immense ranging from the humble roti to the naan the po
ori and paratha. Each of these categories, in turn has several varieties too. In
Awadh alone as many as 15b varietles of bread are known to have been cooked! Th
e dough for one bread differs from the others ill the composition of fat ingredi
ents.
ROOMALI ROTI
Sift the wheat flour and refined flour with salt. Rub in the melted ghee. Slowly
add water and make a soft dough. Keep it covered with a damp cloth for 30 minut
es. The dough should be very elastic. Knead well again. Divide the dough in 6 eq
ual portions. Shape them into round balls. Roll out each ball into small rounds
on the floured chakla (wooden disk). Hold this on the back of your palm and ci
rcle it/twist it anti-clockwise and swing it, then again catch it on the back of
palm of the same hand. Keep repeating until the diameter of the same
becomes about 30 cms. Care should be taken to maintain the round shape and even
thickness throughout. These rotis are cooked on the convex side of the griddle,
something like an inverted kadhai or wok and takes just about a minute to cook.
These rotis are folded into quarters or sixes. INGREDIENTS 150 gms Whole wheat f
lour 50 gms Refined flour Salt to taste 10 ml Melted ghee Cold water for kneadin
g
TAFTAN
INGREDIENTS 450 gms Flour 25 gms Yeast 2 tbsp Curd 3 tsp Sugar 2 tsp Salt. 2 Egg
s 150. ml Milk 25 gms Ghee 25 gms Oil
1 tbsp Kalonji Warm milk. sprinkle yeast and sugar keep aside till it starts to
froth. Sift flour with salt. Make a bay paste in the centre. Pour the fermented
yeast mixture. curd. eggs (beaten) and oil. Knead the dough to a smooth and elas
tic consistency. Place in a greased bowl and keep in a warm place for 6-8 hours.
Punch the dough and make medium-sized round balls of equal size. Brush with oil
and again keep aside for another 20 minutes. Roll out each with a rolling pin s
o that it is broad at one end and very narrow at the other. Then pull the narrow
end gently so as to give it the shape of a tear drop. Brush with ghee. sprinkle
kalonji. and bake in a hot tandoor. basting with milk and ghee. Serve hot.
DAL KACHORI
INGREDIENTS FOR DOUGH 450 gms Flour 50 gms Sooji 25 gms Ghee/Mustard oil 1 tbsp
Salt Cold water to knead FOR FILLING
200 gms Urad dal 5 gms Fennel seeds A pinch asafoetida 1 tbsp Garam Masala 10 gm
s Red Chilli Powder Salt to taste 5 gms Cumin powder 25 gms Ghee/oil FOR FRYING
250 gms Ghee or oil Soak urad dal overnight and grind to a coarse paste Coarsely
pound the fennel seeds. Add asafetida. garam masala. chilli powder. salt. cumin
powder and fennel seeds powder. Cook in a kadhai with ghee till it leaves the s
ides and becomes dry. Keep aside and cool. Prepare hard dough with flour and soo
ji using cold water. Cover with a damp cloth and keep aside for 30 minutes. Then
make walnut sized balls from the dough for rolling. Flatten the dough on the pa
lms and stuff a little filling. Seal and roll to the size of 5-7 cm in diameter
and deep fry in ghee turning once. Strain after the kachori puffs up and becomes
golden brown in colour. Serve hot with vegetables or mango pickle. Dal Kachori
is a festive bread. almost always incorporated in a vegetarian menu in north Ind
ia. Stuffed with urad dal it is
eaten as a snack as well as a meal. served with vegetables or raita.
KULCHA
INGREDIENTS 450 gms Flour 50 gms Yogurt 15 gms Ghee 1 tbsp Sugar 150 ml Milk 15
gms Yeast 1 tbsp Salt
Sprinkle yeast. sugar and salt in warm milk and leave it to froth for 20 minutes
. Sift flour, make a bay in the center. Add the fermented mixture, melted ghee a
nd make a dough with yogurt. Cover with a damp cloth and leave it to rise for 3-
4 hours. Divide into equal rounds and bake it in a hot tandoor basting with milk
. Serve hot.
SWEET DISHES
The degree of finesse of a cuisine can be judged by a look at its sweets and des
serts. The rich, extravagant and highly decorated sweets of Lucknow reflect its
past glories. The contribution of both the Hindu halwai and Muslim rakabdar have
resulted in a confluence of expertise in the making of an exquisite varieties o
f sweets. The Barfi, Peda, Jalebi, Balai ke Tukre, Shahi Tukre, Halwa, Kheer Sew
ain are just a few varieties to illustrate the
Each of these has several varieties too. These sweets mostly milk based with a l
iberal.
SEWAIN KA MUZAFFAR
INGREDIENTS 400 gm Roasted vermicelli/Sewain 400 gm Sugar 150 gm Ghee 400 ml Mil
k ½ tsp Saffron FOR GARNISH 200 gm Khoya
10 gm Pistachio nuts 30 gm Almonds 50 gm Cashewnuts 3-4 Silver foil Soak saffron
in little milk and grind. Cut nuts into hawaiyan I slivered . Mash and fry kh
oya for few minutes until light brown. Heat ghee at moderate Harne in a shallow
pan. Fry sewai on slow fire till light brown. Add milk. Stir quickly to blend. C
ook for 2-3 minutes. Add sugar. mix well and cover. Cook gently until sugar whic
h turns into syrup is absorbed and sewai are dry. Add half of the khoya and mix
well. Arrange into serving dish and garnish with remaining khoya, nuts and silve
r leaf (warq) on top.
HALWA-E- BADAAM
INGREDIENTS 500 gms Almonds 250 gms Poppy seeds 4 litre Milk 500 gms Khoya 750 g
ms Sugar 750 gms Ghee 1/1tsp Saffron 10 Green cardamoms 2 Silver leafs
Soak the almonds in 1 litre water overnight. Soak the poppy seeds in a cup of mi
lk mixed with a cup of water for 1 hour. Mash khoya to fine crumbs and keep asid
e. Pound the cardamom to a fine powder. Peel and grind the almonds to a fine pas
te. Drain all the liquid from the poppy seeds by passing them through a fine sie
ve and grind to a paste. Blend the almonds and poppy seeds paste in the milk to
form a smooth mixture. pour in a thick kadhai and cook on slow flame. preferably
wood or charcoal fire. Stirring constantly. When the mixture begins to thicken.
add the sugar and saffron dissolved in warm milk and stir till the sugar dissol
ves. When the mAA halwa leaves the sides of the kadhai and turns to a golden pin
k colour, remove in a bowl or a tray. It tastes best when had hot.
SHEER BRANJ
Boil milk, add washed rice and cook gently till tender. Add half of the sugar. D
o not stir until it boils again. Stir and cook gently for few minutes. Add mashe
d khoya little by little mixing well to avoid lump formation. Add half of the ke
wra jal. and remaining sugar. Mix and keep on adding remaining kewra jal. Keep s
tirring. Cook until thickened and it sticks to the spoon. Pour melted ghee mixin
g well. Grind malai. with cashewnut paste and mitha ittr. Add to sheerbranj. Add
elaichi powder. Cool to room temperature. Serve garnished with cream and hawaiya
n (slivers) of pista and almonds. INGREDIENTS 3 litres Milk 60 gms Basmati Rice
400 gms Sugar 200 gms Khoya 100 gms Ghee 60 gms Cashewnut paste 200 gms Balai (M
alai)

200 gms Cream 60 gms Pista + Almonds Few drops mitha ittr 1% cup Kewra jal
tsp Elaichi powder
SHAKRAMBA
Wash and peel the mangoes and cut long slices of it Remove the seeds. Heat the g
hee and saute the mango slices for 5 minutes on a medium flame. Remove with a sl
otted spoon and keep. In the same ghee add the cloves and cardamoms and roast th
e sooji flour for 10 minutes on a slow flame. Then add milk and stir constantly
to prevent lump formation. Cook for 10 minutes. In a separate vessel make sugar
syrup with the
sugar and a cup of water. When the sugar dissolves boil the mango slices in it f
or 5 minutes. Then add the mango slices with the syrup to the sooji and milk mix
ture. Blend well. Cool and serve at lunch or breakfast. INGREDIENTS 1 litre Milk
3 tbsp Sooji (Semolina) 2 Cloves 4 Green cardamoms 30 ml Ghee
CURD DISHES
Curd or natural yoghurt has been part of the Indian diet since time immemorial.
Its cooling and digestive properties are well known. Used as a marinade. a cooli
ng agent, salad dressing. beverage or dessert. it has a wide array of possibilit
ies. In Indian cuisine its use in curries and raitas is well- known. Raita is
served as a side dish with meats and vegetables. the main purpose being to tone
down the effect of the hot spices.
BOORANI
INGREDIENTS 250 gm Curd Salt to taste ½ tsp Pepper Sieve the curd through muslin
cloth or a fine sieve. Add salt and pepper and blend well. Serve in a bowl alon
g with a korma and pulao dish.
KHEERA KA RAITA
I N G R E DIE N T S 250 gms Curd 1 medium Cucumber 1 tbsp Cumin Salt to taste Ch
illi powder to taste (optional) ½ tsp Black salt
Roast the cumin seeds on a griddle till they turn light brown. Dry grind finely.
The black salt. which is usually sold in crystal form should also be ground to
a powder. Nowwhisk the curd and keep. Peel and grate the cucumber and mix in the
curd. Add the cumin. black salt. Ordinary salt and chilli powder. Blend well an
d serve cold in a bowl along with curries and rice.
FALON KA RAITA
INGREDIENTS 500 gms Curd 100 gms Snakegourd 1 Apple 3 Pineapple rings Salt to ta
ste
Tie the curd in a muslin cloth and hang for 1hour to allow the water to drip off
. Then sieve and keep aside. Peel the gourd. remove the pith and seeds and cut i
nto small cubes. Boil in half cup water till tender but not too soft. Drain and
keep aside. Peel and cube the apple. Also cube the pineapple. Now mix all the 3
ingredients in curd with a little salt. Blend and serve in a bowl.
USE OF HERBS & SPICES IN AWADHI KITCHEN
Herbs and spice
Herbs are leaves of small shrubs and can be used dried or fresh to impart flavor
s and zest to any dish. Examples of commonly used herbs are rosemary, parsley, t
hyme, basil, sage, dill, oregano and celery leaves. Spices are derived from the
fruit, seed, root and bark of tropical plants and trees. Whole spices can be add
ed at the start of the cooking so that the flavor is imparted into the dish. See
d herbs can be lightly toasted to bring out their best flavor. Herbs and spices
are sometimes tied in a muslin bag and placed in the saucepan during the cooking
process. The advantage is that the whole spices won t come in the way while che
wing and swallowing. Herb spice blend powders can be blended at home. A pinch in
your dishes - and you will have everyone asking for more helpings! A fragrant h
erb spice blend of cinnamon, anise, fennel, pepper and cloves can be powdered an
d stored. Ginger - inhibits nausea and vomiting caused by travel sickness and mo
rning sickness. Ginger speeds the body metabolic rate. This spice combines well
in curries and soups. Its antiseptic properties have been known to cure colds, s
ore throats and other ailments. You can use fresh,
dried or powdered ginger.
Cinnamon - Used often as an antidote for stomach upsets and diarrhea. This spice
is also known to be a metabolic booster. A pinch of cinnamon can perk up your h
ot cocoa and breathe life into your steamed puddings, custard and pears. Nutmeg
- The flavor of this spice is strong and is used in small amounts. Use it in spi
nach and white sauce. Nutmeg finds pride of place in Christmas delicacies such a
s eggnog and cakes. Mace - This spice is the outer shell of the nutmeg fruit and
has a milder flavor. Powdered mace is used in cakes, doughnuts and soups. Garli
c - The distinctive taste of garlic goes well with other herbs and seasonings. G
arlic is known to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Regular consum
ption of garlic aids digestion and prevents flatulence. Anise - This spice has i
ts origin in the Mediterranean region and is hailed as a digestive aid. It adds
flavor to cakes,
breads, cookies and liquors. Cayenne pepper - This important ingredient in many
Mexican dishes has fat burning abilities and can boost metabolism. It is obtaine
d from fruited varieties of capsicum. Very small amounts are used in salad dress
ings. Mustard - This spice is a stimulant and is effective against respiratory c
omplaints. Allspice - Though allspice suggests a mixture of spices, it is derive
d from the Jamaican bayberry. It is used whole in vegetable and meat dishes. It
is ground and added to cookies, puddings and gravies. Turmeric - Extracted from
the root of the Curcuma long plant, turmeric is an essential ingredient of curri
es and other Asian dishes. It is a powerful antioxidant and helps protect agains
t cancer. Sesame seeds - The crunchy nutty flavor of sesame seeds adds texture t
o salads and sautéed vegetable dishes. These seeds are used in breadsticks, crac
kers and rolls. The oil derived from the sesame seeds is rich in polyunsaturated
fatty acids and is a good choice for salad dressings and cooking. Mint - A decoc
tion of this herb is known to give relief from headache, nausea, indigestion and
cold. Peppermint is used to flavor tea, salads, stews and sweets. Coriander - T
his spice with a mild and distinctive taste is another essential ingredient of m
ost Indian curries. Cloves - Popularly known as the flower spice , cloves have
been used as anesthetics for dental ailments for centuries. The rich flavor of c
loves is used in cakes and pies. Using too much can result in a bitter flavor. S
affron - The rich and distinct flavor of saffron comes from the dried flower blo
om. It is used in rice dishes and cakes. Very little is needed to flavor and col
or your dishes. Caraway - These spice seeds have a spicy aroma that lends flavor
to soups, breads and baked fruit. Cardamom - The unique flavor of cardamom is d
elicate and sweet but powerful. From coffee to deserts, curries to meat
loaves, cardamom finds it way into many recipes. Pepper - Peppercorns are found
in black and white color. They are used in meat and vegetable dishes. Fennel - T
his spice is used widely in Indian and Egyptian cooking. Its mild flavor is used
in Italian sausages too. Cumin - The strong spicy taste of cumin seeds can be u
sed whole or ground to a fine powder. Use it in soups and meats and pickles. Her
bs Fresh herbs can be preserved by cutting a bit of their stems and refrigeratin
g them after submerging the stems in a jar of water. Snip fresh herbs just at th
e time of adding them to your dishes. Fresh herbs can substitute dried herbs in
any recipe, but remember to double the quantity prescribed. Fresh herbs are usua
lly added at the end of cooking lest they lose their flavor and color. Fresh her
bs must possess good color and no brown spots. Dried herbs must be stored in air
tight containers away from sunlight and heat. Dampness causes loss of quality. N
ever
store herbs and spices near the stove as the heat will shorted their life. Whole
spices and herbs keep longer than ground spices. Leaf herbs keep longer than gr
ounded ones. Besides grinding the spices as needed assures greater freshness. Ne
ver season more than a dish in a meal with the same herb. Do not use too many st
rong-flavored herbs in the same dish. A herb is used to flavor a dish not overpo
wer it. Certain herbs have a special affinity for certain foods. Combine a stron
g herb like rosemary, basil or sage with milder ones like chives, parsley or chi
ves. Indian recipes sometimes call for nearly a dozen spices in a single curry.
But as a rule, other regional recipes do not use more than 3 herbs or spices in
a dish. Basil - The strong flavor of basil leaves goes well with tomato-based sa
uces and garlic. Basil is said to stimulate the appetite and relieve kidney and
diarrhea problems. Thyme - This herb is used for everyday cooking and goes well
with heavy dishes like clam chowder, stews, roast chicken and pork. Thyme is kno
wn to have disinfectant properties and is used as a mouthwash. It must be used i
n
small quantities on account of its sharp flavor. Lemon thyme has a milder flavor
and has a lemony tang. Oregano - Oregano lends pizzas their characteristic flav
or. This herb has a pungent odor and flavor. Bay leaves - This herb is a common
ingredient in soups, meat and vegetable dishes and stews. Other than its strong
aroma and spicy flavor, bay leaves are a good remedy for earaches. Cilantro - Th
is herb is the young coriander plant and finds its way into most Asian, Mexican
and Middle Eastern dishes. Rosemary - This herb has a reputation as a memory boo
ster and is a symbol of friendship and fidelity. Medicinal properties of rosemar
y include increased blood flow and expansion of tissues.
CONCLUSION
One of the old & richest cuisine of India has now become limited in small region
. They has been great attempt at bringing back the glory of the past. There are
no famous chefs except chef qureshi who really done the great work for the Cuisi
ne of Awadh.
SUGGESTIONS
We have to introduce the Cuisine of Nawabs to different kind of people and regio
n in more effective way for example Dumpukht is doing for all over the country.
As well as in this age of experimentation fusion of cuisines is attracts lots of
people for example last year Hotel Niko Metropolitan fused Awadhi the Japinese
cuisine and people really appreciated the concept.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTERNET www.google.com www.ask.com NEWSPAPER Hindustan Times The Times of I
ndia MAGAZINE First City FHRAI Hotelier
 HOTEL Bristol , Gurgaon, New Delhi
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:____________________ Age:______________________ Address:__________________
_________________________ Q.1 How often do you dine out ? Weekly Fortnightly
Monthly Seldom go out Q.2 When you dine out which cuisines do you prefer th
e most ? Chinese South Indian Awadhi Mughlai
Q.3 How did you come to know about it ? Friends Television Newspaper Any
other Source
Q.4 Which Awadhi delicacy do you prefer the most ? Shorba Korma Biryani
Kebabs Any Other Q.5 Which of the Awadhi cuisine characterictics do you enjoy
the most ? Spices and Flavour Richness of Cuisine Cooking Methods All th
e above Q.6 What shortcomings do you feel that Awadhi cuisine has ? Too rich
 Too Oily Lenghty Cooking Methods Unavailibility of authentic Awadhi Cuisin
e at your place Any Other Q.7 How you think that any changes in the Awadhi Cui
sine will help in the betterment of the same ? Yes No
Q.8 How do you rate the Service Standards of Awadhi Cuisine ? Excellent Good
Fine Bad Q.9 How often do you cook Awadhi cuisine at your house ? Daily
Weekly Fortnightly Do not cook