Biryani facts for kids
Biryani is a super tasty dish made with rice (often basmati rice), lots of yummy spices, and usually meat, fish, eggs, or vegetables. It's like a complete meal in one pot! The word "Biryani" comes from a Persian word that means "fried" or "roasted."
The idea for cooking Biryani first came from Iran. Travelers and merchants from Iran brought this cooking style to the Indian subcontinent (which includes countries like India and Pakistan today). Over time, the recipe for Biryani changed and grew in India to become the delicious dish we know now. Today, different kinds of Biryani are popular not just in South Asia, but also in Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and wherever people from South Asia live around the world.
What's in Biryani?
Biryani gets its amazing flavor from many different spices and other ingredients. Some common ones include:
- Ghee (a type of clarified butter)
- Nutmeg and mace (which come from the same plant)
- Cumin
- Black pepper
- Cloves
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
- Bay leaves
- Coriander
- Mint leaves
- Ginger
- Onions
- Garlic
Some special kinds of Biryani also use saffron, which gives it a beautiful color and unique taste.
For Biryani that isn't vegetarian, the main ingredients mixed with the spices are different kinds of meat. This can be beef, chicken, goat, lamb, fish, or even shrimp.
Biryani is often served with other yummy side dishes. These might include dahi chutney or Raita (a yogurt-based sauce), korma (a creamy curry), another type of curry, a sour dish made with eggplant, boiled eggs, and salad.
How is Biryani Different from Pilaf?
You might hear about a dish called pullao (or pilaf), which also uses rice and spices. But Biryani and pilaf are cooked differently!
In Biryani, the rice is cooked separately from the thick sauce (which is like a curry with meat or vegetables). After they are cooked, the sauce and the rice are carefully layered together. This way, when you eat Biryani, you get exciting tastes of both the flavorful rice and the strong, rich sauce with its meat or vegetables. It's a mix of different flavors in every bite!
Images for kids
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Biryani depicted on a 2017 stamp of India
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Hyderabadi vegetable biryani served in Tampa, U.S.
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Biryani of Lahore
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Beef biryani
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Degh Biryani sepcally served in Parbhani District and surroundings
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Dhakaiya biriyani
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Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani
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Kolkata biryani
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Sri Lankan chicken biryani
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A dish of Burmese biryani (locally known as danpauk), as served at Kyet Shar
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An authentic nasi kebuli served in Jakarta.
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Mutton biryani at Little India, Singapore.
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Khao mhok ghai (Thai biryani with chicken)
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Biryani contains more gravy and is cooked longer with condiments
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Two biryani accompaniments, mirchi ka salan and raita
See also
In Spanish: Biryani para niños
