Biryani is a popular dish that evokes a lot of cravings and passion among people in India and beyond. Although there are many variations of this layered dish, one method that stands tall in terms of taste, flavor, and authenticity is dum biryani. Originating from the royal kitchens of the Nizams of Hyderabad, dum biryani is cooked slowly in a sealed clay pot, and this royal dish has travelled through centuries.
In this guide we will introduce you to one of the best places to taste an authentic plate of dum biryani in Jaipur, which is Nawab’s, where tradition meets taste. Curious to know what exactly is dum biryani and how does it taste? Let’s cover the entire process of how we make dum biryani at Nawab’s from scratch using age-old techniques, secret and premium ingredients, and a lot of love.
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Origin of Hyderabadi Dum Biryani
Before delving deep into the cooking process, let’s understand what exactly dum biryani is. For this you need to know the royal roots of this classic dish. Dum is a Persian word meaning “to simmer” or “to breathe in”. This technique includes cooking food on a slow flame in a tightly sealed vessel and allowing it to cook in its own aroma and steam.
Dum biryani is believed to have lived in the royal kitchens and has been influenced by Turkish and Indian culinary traditions. This method has evolved into an art in Hyderabad. Hyderabadi Dum Biryani is layered with fragrant basmati rice, marinated meat, whole spices, and saffron and then sealed and slow-cooked to perfection. This results in a royal dish that balances flavor, aroma, and texture in every bite.
Our Use of Fresh, Authentic, & Carefully Sourced Ingredients in Dum Biryani
Nawab’s believe that a good biryani starts with amazing ingredients, and so our chefs choose every ingredient with utmost care and passion. Here are some of the most authentic, carefully-sourced ingredients that are added to the biryani.
- Basmati Rice: Nawab’s uses premium aged basmati rice that is fluffy, aromatic, and long-grained when cooked.
- Meat/Paneer: Whether it’s paneer, mutton, or chicken biryani, we make sure the meat or paneer are tender, fresh, and marinated overnight for deep flavors.
- Yogurt: A creamy, thick yogurt base helps to tenderize the meat and adds more richness to the meat/ paneer.
- Herbs: Coriander, fresh meat, and fried onions or baristas are layered generously to enhance the aroma of the dish.
- Spices: Hand-selected garam masala, cloves, green cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, and a touch of saffron are used in the process of making Dum Biryani at Nawab’s to perfect the balance and taste.
Nawab’s make no compromises and our professionals have honored the age-old or time-tested formula and know how to make a good dum biryani.
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How Do We Cook the Biryani at Nawab’s? Step-by-Step Process
Here’s how our experienced craftsmen create each clay pot masterpiece:
Marination Process
We first marinate the meat or vegetable in a blend of yogurt or turmeric, red chili powder, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, fried onions, garam masala, and fresh herbs. We then allow the meat or vegetables to rest for at least 8 to 12 hours. This is very crucial, as it allows the flavors to penetrate into the meat or vegetables deeply and make sure each bite of the biryani is well seasoned and succulent.
Rice Parboiling
Our chefs parboil the basmati rice with whole spices like cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, etc. The rice is cooked to nearly 70% doneness to make sure when it finishes cooking in the dum pot, it retains the right texture that is soft yet separate.
Layering in Clay Plots
We exclusively use handmade clay pots for cooking the dish. These pots retain their heat evenly and give an earthy undertone to the dish. At first we layer the marinated meat or vegetable at the bottom and then add a generous handful of partially cooked basmati rice, followed by saffron milk, fried onions, ghee, coriander, and mint. All these flavors are repeated until the pot is full.
Sealing the Pot
The pot is sealed using a dough made from whole wheat flour. This allows the steam, flavor, and aroma to get trapped inside while cooking. It is based on a charcoal flame and slow-cooked to perfection. The pots are even placed under hot coals or in a tandoor. Overall, the dum process takes 45 minutes to 2 hours to complete depending on the quantity and type of meat. The steam cooks gently within the rice and meat together and gives the perfect flavor to the dish.
The Moment of Reveal
As soon as the dum is completed, the dough seal is cut open at the table. You’ll be greeted by a cloud of saffron-scented steam at first and then see the fluffy rice, juicy meat and mesmerizing golden-hued saffron, making sure that a dum cooking process has been successfully achieved. Each pot is served fresh without reheating and shortcuts.
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What Makes Nawab’s Hyderabadi Dum Biryani So Special?
- Authenticity: Nawab’s use traditional recipes that have been passed on through generations of Hyderabadi cooks.
- Freshly Made To Order: Every biryani pot is cooked fresh, and there are no precooked batches.
- Clay Pots: Unlike other restaurants that use baked biryani or metal pots, Nawab’s stay true to their roots with an actual dum cooking process cooked in clay.
- Balanced Flavors: Chefs at Nawab’s masterfully balances aroma, flavour, and texture for providing an unforgettable dining experience.
- Dine-in or Delivery: No matter whether you want to sit at our table or enjoy a plate of authentic dum biryani at home, our packaging keeps the dish piping hot and aromatic.
Taste The Royalty Of Dum Biryani Only At Nawab’s
At Nawab’s, dum biryani is just not a fast food but a slow-cooked celebration of emotions, heritage and craftsmanship. Every bite of dum biryani from the smoky clay pot to your table tells a story at Nawab’s. So come and indulge in the iconic dish with us. Are you ready to experience the real dum? Then order now or visit us to give a treat to your taste buds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Order Nawab’s Hyderabadi Dum Biryani for Home Delivery?
Yes, absolutely. Nawab’s deliver clay pot dum biryani fresh and hot across the city of Jaipur. The packaging is designed to retain heat and gives an aromatic flavor that you can experience at home.
What Is The Difference Between Dum Biryani and Regular Biryani?
While, regular biryani includes pre-cooked meat or rice and lacks the deep fusion of flavor. Dum biryani, on the other hand, is slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot that allows the rice and meat to cook perfectly in their own steam and juices.