Among all the rice dishes in India, Biryani is the one that holds the top spot in our hearts. The One-Pot Delight has been voted the most ordered dish year after year. The combination of aromatic rice, whole spices, vegetables and meat cooked dum style gives rise to a dish that is truly irresistible. Popular legends and theories suggest that biryani originated in Iran, and gradually developed in the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal rule. Apart from its origin story, a common debate among foodies and biryani connoisseurs is the vegetarian version of biryani. Does it really exist or is Biryani a completely meat based dish? Here’s everything you want to know.
It’s 2022 and some people still believe that Veg Biryani exists – Joy (@joydas) June 22, 2022
Is Veg Biryani really Biryani? , All You Need To Know About Veg Biryani
This topic has been discussed many times on websites like Quora and Reddit. “Is vegetarian biryani real” and “Do vegetarian biryanis exist” are some of the questions asked by users online. Emotional reactions ensue and there are plenty of takers on both sides of the argument. Some users say that Biryani was intended meat based dishes Only, and thus the concept of vegetarian biryani is null and void. Others contend that the cuisine evolves with time and adapts to the environment, which is why the idea of a vegetarian biryani is no longer something outlandish.
(Also Read: Veg Biryani Recipe: How To Make Hyderabadi Style Chana Dal Biryani,
Veg Biryani is a vegetarian version of a meat dish. photo credit: iStock
What is Veg Biryani made of? , Veg Biryani Recipes
Vegetarian biryani or vegetarian biryani is a dish that usually replaces the meat in biryani with various ingredients like paneer (cottage cheese), soybeans, tofu and more. Some people also make biryani with vegetables like mushroom, jackfruit (kathal) or dates.
For some innovative veg biryani recipes, click here,
The experts go on a biryani war
Chefs, restaurateurs and experts also debated on Veg Biryani. “For me, biryani is more about dum-style layering and cooking techniques with an infusion of aromatic spices and fat (fat can be from gelatinous meat or dairy fat) that all to round out a delicious dish.” binds together. Though there are many variations, however, the essence and technique remain the same,” said Gagandeep Singh Bedi, executive chef, Rosette House, New Delhi.
(Also Read: 9 Protein-Rich Veg Biryani Recipes You Need To Know About,
Biryani can also be made with a lot of vegetarian ingredients. Photo: iStock
“While some purists may argue that a dish made without meat cannot truly be considered a “biryani”, others will argue that the defining characteristic of biryani is the combination of rice and spices rather than the presence of meat,” the restaurant Author and founder of GT Road Rajan Sethi agrees.
Meanwhile, Dheeraj Mathur, executive chef of Radisson Blu, disagrees and feels that biryani has meat in its definition. ,Biryani, by definition, has meat in it. So if there is no meat, it is not a “real” biryani. But as food has evolved over time, vegetarians have modified biryani to their liking by substituting meat with vegetables,” said Mathur. Tastes as biryani,” says Palash Ghosh, executive chef at Taj Hotel, Agra .
Our Verdict:
Like it or not – vegetarian biryani is biryani and yes, it does exist. The debate about vegetarian biryani may continue in future as well and is not over yet. but there’s no denying it Veg Biryani Definitely delicious too!
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