Biryani is quite popular Indian cuisine with different flavors and varieties. However, no matter how many different types of biryanis you try, Hyderabadi dum biryani has its own place. This famous dish brings the fragrant basmati rice, tender meat, and aromatic spice all together. Since ancient times, people often use brass handi or brass vessels to make it even more authentic.
Moreover, every ingredient and utensil plays an essential role in giving the rich taste and texture of Hyderabadi dum biryani. Brass vessels help to cook evenly and reduce the chances of hot spots along the way, that’s why Ayurveda strongly supports cooking in brass/copper vessels. With the right cooking utensils, you can recreate the magic of this biryani that is full of aroma, flavor, and authenticity in your kitchen. But if you are going to cook this biryani for the first time, we are here to help. We have enlisted the steps to prepare this tasty and flavorful dish.
How Hyderabadi Dum Biryani Gets Its Name?
Hyderabadi dum biryani is a popular dish that originated in the kitchen of Nizams, and the word “dum” refers to the cooking method – in which all the ingredients are sealed together in a brass handi. The handi is often covered with dough to hold the steam and make a pressure or “dum” to ingrain the delightful flavors of different spices and herbs into the meat which makes it tender.
The Process to Make Hyderabadi Dum Biryani
- Marinate Meat
Follow the following steps:
- Thoroughly wash the meat of your choice and allow it to rest for 20 minutes to drain off the water.
- Now in a bowl add plain yogurt, garlic and ginger paste, biryani masala, salt, turmeric powder, lemon juice, and chili powder. Mix everything to form a marinade.
- Cover each chicken piece evenly and ensure they are well-coated.
- Let it marinate for at least 2 hours and put it in the refrigerator so flavors get infused and meat gets tender.
- Prepare Rice and Layering
Till the time your meat marinades, prepare the rice for dum biryani by following the steps given below:
- Soak some rice in water for around 30 minutes to remove toxins and improve the texture.
- Add some saffron strands in two tablespoons of milk, so it can infuse and give a vibrant color.
- In the next step, boil some water in a pot along with the species of your choice like cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom pods, etc. to improve the aroma. Add some salt and oil to avoid rice sticking to the brass handi.
- Wash the soaked rice and add it carefully to the boiling water. Let the rice cook slowly until it is 3/4th cooked to ensure it is firm. After cooking rice, keep it aside.
- Now prepare the layer of cooked chicken along with a layer of partially cooked rice.
- Add golden fried onions, chopped cilantro, coriander, and mint leaves over the rice, and add a burst of aroma and flavors you like.
- You need to repeat the layer, until all the chicken and rice are used and finish with a layer of rice on the top.
- To add a touch of richness and improve flavors add a spoon of ghee.
- Seal the brass handi with a lid and usually dough is used to seal the edges and create excellent insulation. It also helps prevent heat from escaping and creates an air-tight space for all the ingredients to simmer.
- This process of covering biryani is known as “dum”.
- Finally, let the biryani cook on a low flame, or you can even use tawa to avoid the chances of burning rice.
- Final Touch and Serving
Now it is time to add the finishing touch to your Hyderabadi dum biryani :
- You can enjoy the biryani with some fresh lemon juice and fried onions.
- Serve your dum biryani hot in a brass thali set along with some chutney yogurt and fresh salad for a satisfying and whole meal.
Benefits of Cooking Biryani in Brass and Copper Vessel
Cooking biryani in brass and copper vessels offers a multitude of benefits for both your culinary experience and health aspects.
- Using brass handi or copper kadai for cooking enhances the level of zinc and copper which are essential for immune health.
- Brass has some unique properties to release natural oils and it significantly improves the flavor of biryani.
- Brass has superior heat conductivity which helps you cook at a slow pace and avoid the chances of burnt spots along the way and ensure it is evenly cooked.
- Copper is considered the best utensil for cooking according to Ayurveda because of its antimicrobial properties that reduce foodborne illnesses.
Why Should You Choose Kalasians?
At Kalasians, we combine tradition with modernity and bring the finest collection of brass, copper & bronze cooking utensils. We have a wide range of brass kitchenware and serveware, featuring brass frying pan, brass degchi, brass kadai, brass roti tawa, brass paraat, brass chapati box, doodh patila, masala box, dosa tawa, ice cream bowls, and many more items. Each of these items tells a story of rich history and sustainability.
We at Kalasians follow eco-friendly practices and locally source recyclable materials to reduce the carbon footprint, along with supporting the economy. Moreover, we employ local and skilled artisans to support the community’s livelihood.
Wrapping Up
Hyderabadi dum biryani symbolizes a rich cultural history, cooked in brass handi. It brings together sourness, flavor, and spices all in one. While it was introduced by Nizams, Andhras added their own spices and made it more tastier. However, you need skills, patience, and the right utensils to cook authentic Hyderabadi dum biryani with delightful flavors. So, if you are a fan of Hyderabadi dum biryani or just want to try it, cook it yourself in a brass vessel and treat yourself. Whether you need a brass bowl for cooking, or a brass kadai, explore our premium collection of brass and copper utensils at Kalasians, you can find everything here. We offer the finest items, made by skilled and local artisans that combine the ancient art with modern designs. These utensils offer immense health benefits and can even add necessary minerals to food. And when you use a brass handi for making biryani, it allows the spices to blend deeply into the rice and meat, along with enhancing the dish’s aroma.
FAQs
Q1- What makes Hyderabadi dum biryani different?
A- It is slow-cooked, and layered rice biryani, on the other hand, in normal biryani rice and meat are usually cooked separately.
Q2 What type of rice can we use?
A- You can use Basmati rice, however, you need to soak the rice for at least 30 minutes.
O3- How can I prevent biryani from burning at the bottom?
A- Use only a thick-bottomed brass handi to let your biryani cook perfectly.
Q4 – Is Hyderabadi dum biryani spicy?
A Yes, Hyderabadi dum biryani is usually spicy and famous for its rich aroma, due to the mix of different spices
