Everyone Should Go To Lucknow Just To Eat These 11 Mouthwatering Dishes

The Land of Nawabs and Awadhi cuisine, Lucknow is a total foodie's place! From kebabs to paans to biryanis, wander around in the city for a day or two and you'll never know which narrow alley takes you to food adda. The taste, the smell and the air of the city screams magic! Even though the list of delicacies is endless, here are some 11 mouthwatering dishes that you just cannot miss when in Lucknow: 

1. Galawati Kebab

Galawati Kebab or Galauti Kebab is a special delicacy which was once made exclusively for a Nawab in Lucknow. Galawati means melt in your mouth, and the dish does exactly that. Once finely ground meat and unripe papaya is marinated, a mixture of spices is added to the dish. This one must be high on your must try list when in Lucknow! 

Source I www.cravebits.com

2. Boti Kabab

Tender pieces of meat heated under intense heat, Boti Kabab is one finger-licking starter you should definitely not miss! A popular Mughlai recipe, this is one the many famous kababs that Lucknow has to offer. 

Source I khadizaskitchen.files.wordpress.com

3. Tunday Kebab

Tunday Kebab have a rather interesting history. Tunday means handicapped and they got their name because the person who made them first was handicapped. Over a 100 masalas go into the making of this royal kebab and they ensure that you don't feel uneasy after having them. They literally melt in your mouth like ice cream and are best served with rumali roti. To enjoy the authentic flavour, make sure you eat the original Tundey as there are many a copies in Lucknow. 

Source I www.outlookindia.com

4. Rogan Josh

Rogan Josh - even the words make you go weak in the knees! Soft meat in spicy curry, this delicacy warms you up from the inside. Even though you might get it in Delhi or Mumbai, you haven't really tasted it if you haven't tried it in the City of Nawabs! 

Source I www.dishmaps.com

5. Lucknowi Biryani

This sumptuous dish is straight from the streets of Lucknow. The rice is cooked separately in garden-fresh spices and the marinated chicken is added later. This technique infuses just the right amount of flavour in the dish and the final product is something that you just cannot resist.  

Source I www.youtube.com

6. Tokri Chaat

Chaat is undoubtedly Indian's favourite go-to snack to add a little spice to our monotony. The filling leaves both your stomach and taste buds satiated. The crisper the tokri, the better! Also called Basket Chaat, Lucknow offers a variety of these in the streets.  

Source I www.indiantravels.com

7.  Paya Ki Nihari 

Lamb trotters broth, Lucknowi Payai Ki Nihari is a slowly-cooked dish usually prepared overnight for 6-7 hours. Nahar is an Urdu word which means morning, hence the dish usually sells like hot cakes for breakfast. 

Source I www.uppercrustindia.com

8. Malai Ki Gilori

If you have a sweet tooth, sink your teeth in the oh-so-soft Malai Ki Gilori in Lucknow! Savour it melting in your mouth within seconds and we are sure you won't be able to stop at just one!

Source I www.gourmetindia.com

9. Sheermals

A sweet naan, this one is baked in tandoor and goes well with anything spicy! Sheermals are made with warm milk which is sweetened with sugar and generally flavoured with saffron. Totally mouth-watering, this! 

Source I www.paklinks.com

10. Lucknawi paan 

No meal is complete if you don't end it up with paan. And don't you dare think of the Lucknowi paan as just another paan! Paan lovers would be in a for a treat because this paan is more than just patta, supari and gulkand put together. It is an experience in itself and if you haven't tasted it, you are missing out on life! 

Source I purpler.wordpress.com 

11. Prakash Ki Kulfi

Last but definitely not least, make sure you end your Lucknow sojourn with Prakash Ki Kulfi. So special is the kulfi that the shop serves only Kulfi Faluda! Served in front of you in seconds, its flavour is perfect and leaves you wanting for more.  

Source I tipini.com

We often visit a lot of places, and what stays with us is the experience. And this is one experience that you wouldn't want to miss!

source:scoopwhoop

8 Dares You Should Definitely Attempt In India This New Year

It is true, India really is the land of the 'unknown'. There are so many places in our vast sub-continent that are still undiscovered and untapped. Playing on exactly this idea, we are giving you a list of 8 dares you should (but didn't know you could) do in India.

1.Manoeuvre a raft through a Grade IV rapid on a mountain range

Indulge is some white water rafting in Zanskar, in Jammu and Kashmir. Rafting here takes place 12000 feet above sea level and provides a very picturesque sight with the Himalayas surrounding the treacherous stretch. The river tends to freeze during the winter season, so the best time to battle the grade four rapids is during the month of August.

2. Walk on the bed of the ocean

Seems almost unbelievable, but it's not. You can walk on the bed of the ocean in Elephant Beach in Andaman Islands. Feel amazing by taking a stroll on the ocean bed while feeding the exotic marine life of the Island. The best thing about this experience is that prior swimming lessons are not mandatory.

Image Source: NC Travels Andaman

3. Plunge into a river from a cliff

Do bungee jumping off a cliff in Mohan Chatti Village, Rishikesh. With a fixed platform standing tall at 83 meters, this location for bungee jumping is the highest assisted jumping point in India. So take a leap of faith and jump right into the Ganga, with some assistance of course.

4. Jump off a plane

How about some accelerated free falling from a plane at the height of 14,500 feet while admiring the beautiful city of Mysore? All it takes is 3 days of training along with one very strong willed heart. Mysore offers one of the most exciting aerial-drop experiences but be sure to check with the provider for a suitable time before booking because these drops are subject to weather conditions.

Image Source: Shrinidhi Hand

5. Ride a bike on the longest salt desert

7000 odd Kilometers of a salt marsh, or fondly known as the 'Rann of Kutch' is the longest Salt Desert in the world. Take a trip through the isolated lands of Kutch and experience isolation on a different level. Make sure you reach and leave on time so as not to lose yourself in this expansive mass of land.

Image Source: Parikshit Vaidya

6. Bathe with elephants

These big, adorable mammals can be quite harmless when not provoked. Get a chance to chill, bathe and play with elephants in Kerela. If you are lucky, you might even get to ride on these beautiful creatures across of river or something.

Image Source: CANDIDSBYJO

7. Visit a haunted fort

Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan is considered one of the most haunted places in India. It is advised by the department of Archaeology that visitors don't enter the Fort after sunset.  

Image Source: Parth Joshi

8. Eat a full Bhut Jolokia

One of hottest red chilies in the world, Raja Mirchi or Bhut Jolokia is five hundred times hotter than Tabasco sauce. It is easily available in north eastern parts of India and can be used to add flavor to different kinds of meat. If you like it hot, then this is one thing you have to try.

Image Source: Wikipedia

You Have To Visit Hyderabad Just To Try Out These 20 Mouth-Watering Dishes

Hyderabadi cuisine has emerged in its present form after the ingredients of Middle Eastern and Awadhi cuisines simmered together for a long time. Most of the Hyderabadi delicacies require time and constant attention to be cooked. So naturally it's a treat for the seasoned food fan. 

Shadab hotel near Charminar, Cafe 555, Karachi bakery and lots of other eating joints beckon an enthusiastic eater to the Golconda bowl. Some of the dishes through which the charm of the Falaknuma cuisine of this city shines are:  

1. Kachhi Gosht ki Biryani

Biryani is mutton marinated in traditional Indian spices cooked with basmati rice? No that's not it. After marinating the mutton it is given a healthy dip in lots of yogurt. The mutton is then embraced by long, flavorful, fragrant grains of Basmati and steamed in a dough-sealed handi over coal. Drooling?

Source: cookingepisodes

2. Patthar ka Gosht

Patience is the key to cooking this melt-in-your mouth delicacy. Choicest spices are used to coat the meat which is then left overnight to create the best infusion. The meat is then placed on a thick slab of stone and cooked over coal which gives it a silky and tender texture. A feast for your senses!

Source: Nishat Fatima

3. Qubani (or Khubani) ka meetha

Apricots can never taste better than they do in this Hyderabadi dish. Dried apricots are cooked with sugar on a slow fire like a compote. Rose water and kewra water lend a floral temper to the dish. The apricots are then served with blanched almonds and cream. 

Source: cookiedakitchen

4. Laheem 

The fact that it is the only non-vegetarian dish to have a Geographical Identification Status says a lot about its popularity in India. Lentils, meat, and pounded wheat are cooked on a low fire-flame for close to twelve hours to create this dish. It is highly nutritious and needs to be tended to continuously by stirring with wooden paddles during the entire cooking time. The end result is definitely worth the effort!

Source: YouTube

5. Double-ka-Meetha

No, it's not just a bread pudding. Crispy fried double-roti (bread) slices are dipped in hot milk spiced with cardamom and saffron. The slices soak up the milk and it's creaminess as well as the spices which spike the dish up. Served with neat pieces of blanched almonds make it difficult to stop eating these.

Source: cooking with siri

6. Mirchi ka Salan

All the defining ingredients of Hyderabadi cuisine like sesame seeds, dry coconut and tamarind go into the making of this curry made of peanuts and mirchi! The grainy texture of the curry and the shock of chillies sticks to your tongue after you've gulped down some. To get rid of the spicy sting you eat some more and more and more!

Source: YouTube

7. Baghare Baingan

Deep purple baby brinjals, stuffed with a paste made of sesame, groundnuts, coconut and other spices is fried in hot oil tempered with Indian spices. Mouth watering, eh? The brinjals are then left to simmer in a fragrant spicy gravy made with groundnut oil and Indian spices. Twice as mouth-watering!

Source: Lifescoops

8. Gil-e-Firdaus

This dish is a must try, for all those who think lauki is not that exotic. Shredded lauki is cooked with soaked sabudana and milk. As the dish simmers, the lauki becomes creamy and its juice lends a unique flavor to the kheer. A treat for both. you and your stomach.

Source: YouTube

9. Osmania Biscuits 

The dietitians of Osmania general hospital came up with this biscuit to fulfill the nutrition requirement of patients. With the flour and butter, custard powder and some Indian spices go into making these 'tough' cookies. Aren't you craving for these golden beauties?

Source: Cook with Sindhu

10. Irani Tea  

The Persian migrants who travelled to Hyderabad from Mumbai in search of trade, brought with them this "90 ml" drink. Irani chai is prepared by pouring hot milk in a cup and then adding water boiled with tea leaves. Traditionally served in 90 ml white cups, several cafes on the outskirts retain this flavorful beverage in their menu. Cheers!

Source: Times city

11. Lukhmi

A savory starter of Hyderabadi cuisine, Lukhmi derives its name from Loqma meaning morsel. It is the non-vegetarian version of the samosa. And of course a much richer version. Spiced, minced meat is stuffed in dough balls prepared from flour and yogurt and given a rectangular shape. It's then fried to a golden brown color and served crisp and hot. 

Source: My kitchen aroma

12. Chaakna

Goat tripe and liver are the primary ingredients of this rich Hyderabadi stew. The goat tripe is cooked in a pressure cooker with Indian spices until tender then sauteed with chillies and oil in a pan. A mixture of corn flour and sorghum flour is added to thicken the mixture. The dish is garnished with coriander which gives it color and lemon juice.

Source: YouTube

13. Pasinde 

Pounded veal is marinated with Indian spices and yogurt for 6-7 hours then cooked until tender in a pressure cooker. The meat, potatoes and french beans are cooked with onions, roasted khus khus, chironji and other spices. It's a traditional dish in  Muslim families. 

Source: Forum

14. Bheja or Maghaz masala 

This deep fried goat's brain is a delicacy that Hyderabad is famous for. The brain is fried in oil tempered with Indian spices like cumin. The simple to make dish is rich and delicious. One Bheja fry we would definitely love!

Source: 18 crore

15. Malida 

Deep fried pooris of rava and maida are pounded and cooked with milk and mava and eggs to make this dessert. The eggs make the dish thick and smooth. Garnished with a generous sprinkling of mavaand blanched almonds make this dish irresistible. 

Source: Namita's kitchen

16. Moz ka Meetha 

A simple yet delicious dessert, its made by cooking mashed, ripe bananas in sugar syrup. The thick, sweet dish is garnished with nuts and cream. Burst of banana!

Source: I stock photo

17. Dalcha 

A stew of mutton and chana dal. The tamarind paste, an indispensable part of Hyderabadi cuisine lends the dish a tangy and lip-smacking flavor which is hard to resist.

Source: Datthuz rasoi

18. Nihari 

Lamb/goat trotter, head bones,bone marrow,lamb shanks and tongue are cooked overnight on a low-flame with several spices to make this dish. A gravy is prepared with oil, onions and other spices and the overnight prepared meat is added. The dish is cooked to a broth-like consistency and served with a garnish of fresh green coriander.

Source: Mughal

19. Badam ki Jali and Ashrafi 

Something like a guarded secret, these lesser known sweets of Hyderabad are the product of a certain Nasreen's mother -in-law's brain. Almond meal (only the local mawa variety) and sugar are the primary ingredients of this beautiful and delicious dish. Eggs were initially added but not anymore. The sweets can be found exclusively at Nasreen's in Azizbaug, Near Noor Cafe, Noor Khan Market, Old City, Hyderabad.

Source: Deccan designs

20. Hyderabadi Kebabs

Hyderabadi cuisine combines the cuture of middle-eastern cuisine with traditional south Indian spices. The kebabs of Hyderabad show this seamless fusion. Be it the boti and choti kebabs of Paradise or the kebabs of Siddique, the aroma and the taste is inviting for all your senses.

Source: Tripadvisor

These are but twenty gems from the Nizami kitchen. There is a lot more waiting to be explored in Hyderabad. So head out and dig in! And do write in about your favorite Hyderabadi dish.

10 Non-Indian Things That We Have Made Our Own

One of the best things about India is that it welcomes everyone & everything with open arms. Even if you don't belong to this country, you'll become an integral part of it in no time!

And in case you don't believe us, check out this list of 10 items that you always thought were Indian. This will seriously blow your mind!

1. Samosa

Yes, you read that right. The samosa, everybody’s favourite snack, is not originally from India. It originated in the Middle East, where it was called Sambosa.

Source 

2. Chai

Indians are addicted to chai, but you'll be surprised to know that tea originated in China. It was popularized by the Britishers in India.

Source 

3. Rajma 

One of the most favourite delicacies of our country, Rajma came to India only after the red kidney bean arrived from Central Mexico and Guatemala.

Source 

4. Kites

All of us have memories of flying kites on Baisakhi, but even they are not Indian. They flew in to the Indian skyline from China. 

Source 

5. Aaloo

Almost every other Indian dish seems to have aaloo in it. But did you know this vegetable originated hundreds of years ago in southern Peru and north western Bolivia?

Source 

6.  Cricket

The sport we consider a religion is traditionally not ours. It was invented in England and the Britishers bought it to our country, but we gave our time and sweat to the sport and have made it our own.

Source 

7. Hand knitting

Our grandmothers' favourite pastime actually comes from the land of the mummies: Egypt.

Source 

8. Biryani

The Hyderabadi biryani is famous all across the nation, but historians claim that it was first brought to India by Turkic invaders.

Source

9. Maggi

Who would have thought our very own Maggi is in fact not ours? India's favourite snack comes from Switzerland. It was invented by Julius Maggi way back in 1872. 

Source

10. Silk

Our mothers have a huge stock of silk sarees. But did you know that silk was brought to our country centuries ago by Chinese traders? 

Are you amazed? Did you know these 10 things were not Indian?

That's the beauty of India. Even if something is not Indian, once it arrives in the country, it becomes a part of India soon enough. 

For more, check this awesome Quora post out.

15 Amazing Photos Of The Most Beautiful Indian Winters

Sometimes bewildering, sometimes soothing and yet always brilliant, India offers an incredible spectacle to tourists all year round. However of all its glorious seasons, Indian winters have a charm of their own. Since it is that time of the year again, don't just travel! Set out for a visual experience which will take your breath away! Read on and trust your eyes to change your vacation plans. After all, seeing is believing!

1. Sonmarg, Kashmir

Meadow of gold? Not quite! Its the white wonder in winters!

Source: weareholidays

2. Auli, Uttarakhand

Source: goibibo

3. Gulmarg, Kashmir

This sparkling Kashmiri beauty is your Switzerland on budget!

Source: khyberhotels

4. Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Undoubtedly, Bollywood's current muse! Manali is where natural beauty meets adventure.

Source: indiantravelpictures

5. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Old world English charm and fond memories of childhood vacations! Sometimes, you just can't get enough of the beauty of a place.

Source: holiday-planning

6. Nainital, Uttarakhand

Aiming for the sky is one thing but here is one place where skies come down to you.

Source: treklocations

7. Kufri, Himachal Pradesh

Snow-capped mountains in the backdrop of peaceful forests, is a sight to behold.

Source: aegindia

8. Sar Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh

If the sky is your limit and snow is your thing, tick mark this place on your trekking wishlist right away!

Source: Niladri Adhikary

9. Munsiyari, Uttarakhand

Trust this little, largely unknown hill town to provide you with a trek full of amazing sceneries and interesting flora and fauna.

Source: uttarakhandwadiyan

10. Leh, Ladakh

Untouched, sparsely populated and a hidden gem. Beauty exists here in it's raw and purest form.

Source: onthegotours

11. Guwahati, Assam

Dark and misty skies coupled with chilly winter evenings is just the beginning of the beauty of the North East.

Source: makemytrip

12. Gondola, Gulmarg

Ever wondered, what 'being on cloud 9' means? Yeah, that's right!

Source: Adrian Fisk

13. Agra, Uttar Pradesh

50 hues of classic winter beauty!

Source: Prasit Chansareekom

14. Chadar Trek, Ladakh

This tricky trek on a frozen lake is a scene straight out of the movie 'The Dark Knight Rises'!

Source: drashtikon

15. Pahalgam, Kashmir

This snow laden path, this ride and this scenic beauty in India. Simply put, breathtaking. 

Source: travelguideonline

Travelling is anyway awesome. Winters make it even more fun! Head to these super 'cool' destinations of India and fall in love with your country even more!