We have reached the fag-end of the state wise culinary journey and today, we are in Uttar Pradesh. Regular day-to-day lunch is the common dal-chawal-subzi-roti combination (Rice with dal, roti and veggies), so I thought I would turn to the capital city Lucknow’s rich Awadhi cuisine.
Just like how I turned to Vaishali’s space for the Gujarati thali and the Delhi food fare, her Awadhi Thali was the first thing to come to my mind once I finalized on the Lucknowi food.
Awadh is the current Lucknow (and some surrounding regions) now and is known for its royal Nawabs and rich food fit for the kings. Dum style cooking (slow covered cooking over low fire) is what the place is most famous for.
This is what the wiki says: “The bawarchis and rakabdars of Awadh gave birth to the dum style of cooking or the art of cooking over a slow fire, which has become synonymous with Lucknow today. Their spread consisted of elaborate dishes like kebabs, kormas, biryani, kaliya, nahari-kulchas, zarda, sheermal, roomali rotis, and warqi parathas. The richness of Awadh cuisine lies not only in the variety of cuisine but also in the ingredients used like mutton, paneer, and rich spices including cardamom and saffron. “
The thali here is a simple affair with a nawabi pulao that’s cooked in milk. Sultani dal is nothing but toor dal made rich with yogurt, cream and milk. Mattar ka nimona which is a green peas preparation. The bhindi is cooked in dum, though I couldn’t make out too much of taste difference.
Boondi ka raita is a simple yogurt prepared with ready made boondi(gram flour mini dumplings).
The lachha paratha is a favourite with my son. The rice too turned out to be good for my son since it was not spicy.
Thali idea : Ribbons To Pastas
The Menu:
- Nawabi Pulao : A simple pulao cooked in milk. I added the vegetables too at the time of cooking itself. This is then layered and baked later.
- Sultani dal : A toor dal preparation made rich by the addition of yogurt, milk and cream
- Dum Bhindi : Bhindi curry, cooked dum style
- Mattar ka nimona : Green peas curry
- Boondi raita : Gram flour dumplings (boondi) in yogurt. A simple raita
- Lachha Paratha : A layer pattered paratha.
- Salad : Onion rings and lemon wedges
My Kitchen Trials 
That’s a colorful platter with Nawabi khana.
LikeLike
Wow what a platter? This fit for kings.
LikeLike
what an amazing platter and everything looks so good. how is this mini??? I have been wanting to make that paratha for a long time – love the layers in it
LikeLike
Wonderful thali again! Everything on the thali looks amazing and delicious!
LikeLike
Marvelous thali ! I love to try the nawabi pulav ……
LikeLike
wow. super tasty thali. beautiful pictures
LikeLike
Splendid presentation. Love the rose petals sprinkled all over!
LikeLike
loookig nice…
LikeLike
Lachha paratha has turned out very well and perfect layers..loved the idea of sprinkling the rose petals..
LikeLike
That is one rich and delicious thali. Lachcha parathas are absolutely stunning and all the accompaniments sound perfect.
LikeLike
Such a delicious spread Rajani, you have really excelled yourself in this display!..I love everything on the plate, wish I had stopped by your house..:)
LikeLike
Excellent work Rajani, as always and probably the 28th time i would be saying you are amazing…coming to the thali it is a well planned menu. About the point on dum being invented by the bawachis from awadh, i may disagree a bit..not that i doubt its use, but frankly inventions that were done during the non internet days have really no evidence of its real origin, the reason i say this is because I heard from my mom and her late mom about the dum kind of cooking where they sealed the meals in large brass pots and covered it with jute cloth to trap the smoke and vapours. Similarly in gujarat I know the way they cooked under ground etc…unless there were messengers travelling to and fro ..we never know who did it first.:) point for debate
LikeLike
wow..well you must be wondering..what this lady has only one word ..wow..but..the minute i see these thalis the first reaction is..Wow….fantastic display and super efforts in preparing and presenting this royal cuisine..loved everything on the plate and thanks a million ton for trusting and preparing these recipes.Glad you guys enjoyed the dishes:)
LikeLike
Omg, those layers in lachcha paratha are simply awesome, one more delicious thali from you, i cant resist to that bowl of pulao..just had my breakfast and am hungry now.
LikeLike
Beautiful recipes… the layers in the paratha are so beautifully seen!!! very nice.. and the simple pulao is looking so delicious!!! yummm
LikeLike
Hi Rajani, you have posted a fantastic collection of recipes from different states of India. A great repository of information! Well done :) I can always look at your blog if i have to make any new dishes from other Indian states!!
LikeLike