Would you believe that the erstwhile nawabs relished ‘pearls’ as a part of one of their most exotic preparations? If not, you would be amazed as we recount one of the most special recipes that evolved in the ancient kitchens of Lucknow- Shahi Moti Pulao. A decadent meal cooked during the reign of Nawabs and the Mughals around 400 years ago, this rice preparation was topped with white and glistening pearls made from egg yolk!
A dish deploying exceptional levels of intricacy and expertise!
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To make it an absolutely exquisite dish, the egg yolk was neatly derived from the eggs and mixed with edible silver. This solution was then poured through a syringe in a goat’s small intestine, which was thoroughly cleaned for the purpose. After this, the intestinal rope was tied at equal intervals, which led to the formation of small equal-sized ‘motis’ Deploying exceptional levels of intricacy and expertise, this delish dish was prepped in such a way that it cannot be replicated by amateurs!
Given the elasticity and lubrication of the intestine, it became the perfect cover for boiling yolk pearls. With an impeccable shine and texture, the adorned lustrous pearls were so captivating, that one thought of using them in ornaments. Later, when the pulao was prepared using the traditional ‘dum’ technique, the white pearls were complemented by green peas, making it an absolute delight for the eyes!
What is astounding about this ultimate palate pleaser, is the detail and duration that went into its making. Though finding a dish with an easy recipe is just too difficult while exploring the ancient Awadhi cuisine, this one’s difficulty level is unparalleled in many ways!
Knock Knock
While we all drool over biryani, did you know that 5 different varieties of pulao defined Lucknow’s culinary scene in the past? Not just this, a dive into the depths of Awadh’s culinary history shall help you uncover uncountable interesting and astonishing facts. So get hold of a food book and set out on a voyage of exploring the lost recipes of the region and you may just find something as interesting as the Shahi Moti Pulao!
