Cuisine of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is famous for its hot and spicy cuisine along with its 
rich cultural heritage. The cuisine of Andhra Pradesh includes both the 
original Andhra cuisine and the Hyderabadi cuisine, having a Mughlai 
influence. Out of these two cuisines, the former one is more hot and 
spicy. The traditional delicacies of Andhra are absolutely mouthwatering 
having a liberal use of spices. 
Every meal that is snacks, lunch, dinner, etc., have their own 
specialty. The eating habits are quite varied as there is a mixture of Hindu and 
Muslim styles of eating. The Andhra cuisine is mainly vegetarian and 
only in the coastal areas seafood is preferred. The staple food of Andhra 
Pradesh is Rice, which is served with sambar. It is also served with 
other lentil preparations along with vegetables.
== The Range of Traditional Andhra Cuisine ==
Traditionally, Andhra cuisine is eaten on a banana leaf by people 
sitting on mats or small raised wooden seats. A little water is sprinkled 
around the banana leaf, depicting that food can now be served. Rice is 
served along with a little ghee.'''''
Along with the rice a dry curry is served. This meal consists of nearly 
five types of dishes. But a typical Andhra meal is characterized by the 
famous hot pickles, chutneys, powders etc. Curd is served as a cooling 
element, that provides a respite from the hot spices.'''''
== The Delicacies ==
The main food of Andhra Pradesh is Pulihara, or tamarind rice along 
with green chillies adding spice to the cuisine. Green vegetables are 
cooked with various masalas (spices) that provide different flavors to the 
dish. Non-vegetarian dishes are also a part of traditional Andhra 
cuisine, spicy and hot. 
The pickles and chutneys are very popular and are an integral part of 
Andhra food. These can last for more than a year. There chutneys are 
made of almost every vegetable including Tomatoes and Brinjals. An 
aromatic green chutney called 'Gongoora' is a specialty of Andhra cuisine. 
The mango pickle called 'Avakkaya' is very popular. The famous south 
Indian Tiffin's Idli, Dosa are found in many restaurants, but the 
'Pesarattu' is more popular, having a filling of 'Upma'. 
The Andhra cuisine is dominated by vegetarian food but in the coastal 
areas seafood is preferred. Fish and Prawns are major seafood eaten 
here. They are mainly found with curry in sesame and coconut oils along 
with grounded pepper flavor and are eaten with rice.
== Light Bite ==
The range of snack is also quite good here. Some of the snacks that can 
be enjoyed here are onion 'Pakodas', 'Vadas', 'Murku' (roundels of rice 
flour that are deep fried), and 'Appadams'. Some of the desserts that 
are a part of this cuisine are, 'Putharekulu', 'Kakinada Kaja', 
'Bobbatlu', 'Booralu', and 'Bandhar Ladoo'. 
== The Famous Hyderabadi Cuisine ==
The highlight of the Andhra Pradesh cuisine is the Hyderabadi food. It 
is famous for its rich and aromatic nature. It's taste is very 
distinguishable having a liberal use of exotic spices and ghee. The Hyderabadi 
food uses fresh fruit instead of dried fruits. It is also famous for 
its non-vegetarian preparation and Lamb is the most widely used meat 
here.
Biryani, one of India's most popular foods, is a flavored rice with 
meat or vegetables. It is an important part of Hyderabadi cuisine.
thank you
== The Mughlai Delicacies ==
Hyderabadi cuisine is inspired by the Mughlai cuisine. This style of 
cooking is here since the Asaf Jahi period. Thus, the Hyderabadi cuisine 
is a perfect amalgamation of the typical Mughlai flavors with a blend 
of rich spices.
== Non-Vegetarian Food ==
The cuisine of Hyderabad is famous for its non-vegetarian preparations. 
These dishes have a royal touch, prepared with exotic spices and 
seasoning. The various types of Biryanis are the major attraction of this 
cuisine. It is a preparation of rice and meat, having rich spicy flavor. 
Another popular non-vegetarian dish is 'Kababs', which is meat pieces or 
minced meat cooked in many different styles such as 'Boti Jhammi', 
'Kalmi', 'Shikampur', 'Sheek', 'Lagan-ke-Kababs', 'Dum-ke-kababs'). 
'Kormas' is yet another preparation which is either meat or vegetables cooked 
in rich with creamy gravy and 'Lukhmi', a pastry.
The month of Ramzan is a special time, when a variety of exotic dishes 
are prepared. One of them is the 'Haleem', a pounded wheat and meat 
preparation. People who love home cooked food can taste Khichri, a rice 
and lentil preparation. Another specialty of this cuisine is 'Keema 
Methi' which is minced meat with fenugreek leaves.
Then there is another dish called 'Nahari', which is lamb trotters. 
Apart from these dishes, 'Rumali Roti' which is bread as thin as a 
handkerchief and 'Chakna', a spicy dish of meat are also quite popular. 
During the festival day of Id-ul-Fitr, it is traditional to serve 'Sheer 
Korma', the delicious 'Kheer', made with 'Sevian', dried fruits and dates.
== Vegetarian Food ==
The Hyderabadi cuisine also offers a lot of mouthwatering dishes for 
vegetarians. There is 'Bagara Baingan', a rich spicy preparation of 
brinjals and Mirch-ka-salan, a preparation of chillies in a creamy gravy. 
Apart from these, the 'Tomato Qoot' is an aromatic puree of tomato with 
flavorings and 'Shahi Dahi Vadas' which are lentil dumplings in Youghurt 
sauce.
Desserts The cuisine of Hyderabad is equally famous for its desserts. 
There is a good range of sweet dishes available here, one of them is the 
'Double-ka-Meetha', a bread and cashew nut pudding. Another popular 
sweet dish is the 'Qubani-ka-Meetha' which is a stewed apricot dessert. 
Then, the 'Ande-ka-Piyosi' made with eggs, almonds and purified butter, 
'Badam-ki-Jhab', a candy and 'Dil-e-Firdaus', a rich, milk-based sweet 
are the widely eaten desserts. Apart from these delectable desserts, 
one can also enjoy a wide variety of fruits like Mangoes, 'Anabshahi' 
grapes, custard apples, etc. After a wholesome Hyderabadi food, come to an 
end of your gastronomic journey with a 'Paan'.
Many small hotels and restaurants around the Charminar area offer 
authentic Hyderabadi dishes. 
== The Famous Chowki Dinner ==
The Chowki dinner of Andhra Pradesh is very famous. It is offered by 
the tourism department of the State. The typical Chowki dinner is served 
on a low table (Chowki) around which 8 people can sit. This is served 
in typical Nawabi style, where authentic Hyderabadi food is served 
course by course. Along with the exotic dinner, the majestic Deccan ambiance 
accompanied by traditional entertainment like Ghazals, add to the taste 
and enjoyment.
== External links ==
* Andhra Recipes
Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh
Category:South Indian Cuisine