From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Iraqi Biryani (as served in Amman, Jordan)

Hyderabadi Biryani

Sri Lankan Chicken Biryani

The name biryani or biriani (Nastaliq بریانی ;Devanagari बिरयानी) is derived^[1] from the Persian word beryā(n) (بریان) which means "fried" or "roasted". Biryani is a family of Middle Eastern, South Asian dishes made from a mixture of spices, rice (usually basmati), meat/vegetables and yogurt. There are many kinds of biryanis and each kind has a uniqueness about it. Pre-mixed biryani spices from different commercial names are easily available in markets these days, which reduces the preparation time though the taste differs considerably.

The spices and condiments used in biryani are what primarily contribute to the taste, these are generally cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, wasabi, bay leaves, coriander and mint leaves, apart from ghee, ginger, onions, garlic and yoghurt. The premium varieties include saffron. For a non-vegetarian biryani, the main ingredient that accompanies the spices is the meat—beef, chicken, goat, lamb,or shrimp, though vegetable biryani varieties are also popular. The dish is served with dahi chutney, korma, curry or a sour dish of brinjal.

Lucknow and biryani have almost a symbiotic relation for the gourmand. Lucknow (Awadhi) Biryani is the footprint the Moghuls left on the eastern part of India.

Hyderabadi Biryani is one of the most popular version non-vegetarian type, especially in India and the Middle East^{[citation needed]}. Hyderabadi biryani is savored in all parts of India and forms an integral part of Indian cuisine. Historians claim that the earlier Nawabs of Punjab wore a matching turban for each variety of biryani. The Nizam's kitchen boasted of 49 kinds, which included biryani made from fish, quail, shrimp, deer and hare. The Sindhi variant of biryani is very popular in Pakistani cuisine and biryani of all types are eaten in all parts of Pakistan. Another popular form of biryani is the Awadhi biryani.

In Pakistan and North India, biryani enjoys substantial popularity. This is especially the case in Karachi, where the chicken version is popular with both young and old alike as a dish of choice. This is related to Awadh biryani but combines elements of Bombay biryani and includes potatoes.

Tehari is the name given to the vegetarian version of the dish and is very popular in Indian homes. In Bangladesh, Tehari refers to Biryani prepared by adding the meat to the rice, as opposed to traditional Biryani where the rice is added to the meat.

A dish of Burmese biryani (locally known as danpauk), as served in Yangon, Myanmar

The vegetarian version might have some Textured vegetable protein based protein balls to present the impression of a meat-based dish for vegetarians. The difference between biryani and pullao is that while pulao may be made by cooking the items together, biryani, is used to denote a dish where the rice is cooked separately from the other ingredients.

In Bangladesh it is very popular and has attained the status of an integral part of any ceremonial meal or public feast in the country. Weddings in Bangladesh usually end up with serving of this popular dish. Bangladeshi biryani, is the most well known form of biryani in countries outside Asia, (especially in Great Britain).

In Myanmar, biryani, known in Burmese as danpauk, is popular among the populace. In Yangon, there are several restaurant chains that serve biryani exclusively. It is often served at religious ceremonies and luncheons. Biryani in Myanmar utilises a special species of rice grown domestically rather than basmati.

In Thailand, Thai Muslims have popularized a local variety of the dish which is popular through out the country. Along with Thai Curry Mussuman it is one of the two most famous Muslim Thai dishes.

• Hyderabadi Biryani
• Pullao
• Fried Rice
• Pulihora, Yellow Rice.
• Thalappa Kattu Biryani(Dindigul)

Wikibooks' [[wikibooks:|]] has more about this subject:

Cookbook:Biryani

• Chicken Biriyani Recipe
• Biyani Recipes
• All Kinds of Biryani Recipes
• www.potluck.meesai.com Chicken Biryani Recipe
• Numkitchen.com Chicken Biryani Recipe
• Special Egg Biryani Recipe
• Homestyle Chicken Dum Biryani
• Biryani history and recipe
• Simple Biryani Recipe

This article does not cite any references or sources. (August 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.