The culinary scene of Delhi is slowly reviving post-covid. As the city slowly opens, restaurants are giving exciting food experiences that will make you appreciate the city's rich culture! One of such experiences is being organized by The Lodhi, New Delhi. The event is called the "Culinary Chronicles of Old Delhi". It is a unique culinary experience curated by Chef Osama Jalali. The 10-day long pop-up features time-honoured delicacies and legendary preparations from Old Delhi.
Chef Osama Jalali is a seasoned food writer and historian who also dons the hat of a Chef. He was born and brought up in the by-lanes of Purani Dilli. He has carefully curated a special menu to honour his roots with the finesse they deserve. He has a family culinary legacy as he works with his mother Ms Nazish Jalali and his wife Ms Nazia Khan. His family is known to specialize in creating regional food festivals across the globe.
The special menu that is being served during the pop-up has been inspired by Mughlai cuisine and the dishes have been prepared to provide authentic and delicate flavours to age-old recipes. The menu is filled with dishes like kebabs, kofte, korma, keema and more, with each giving tough competition to the other in taste! I had the honour of trying the delicious menu and I have shortlisted 5 dishes that I believe you must try from this special menu.
Here are my Top 5 recommendations from Chef Osama Jalali's Menu:
Mushroom ki Galouti:
Very rarely would you find a galouti kebab made of mushroom, and when I found it, I was in awe! The mushroom galouti was so creamy and soft! Each bite would melt in your mouth as well as leave an indelible taste on your tongue, making you want more. One might say, it tastes yummier than the popular mutton galouti kebab.
Lagan ki boti
Tender pieces of marinated mutton that are just delicious. It is not too spicy and too bland, it has the right amount of flavour bathed in the mutton. Even though this appetizer is not boneless, the pieces of mutton are so well cut that the mutton comes right off the bone. The bone adds a rich and elegant flavour.
Dilli Nihari
This main course mutton dish is just the perfect dish to have with a nice and fluffy roti. The bone pieces of mutton were so tender and soft that made they were easy to eat. The mutton was bathed in tangy and sweet gravy that is just mouthwatering. It is truly a divine dish that would make mutton lovers feel like heaven.
Shahi Tukra
While we all know and love shahi tukra, the chef's rendition of the same dish is just exquisite! The fried sweet bread is generally soaked in milk, but this version of the delicious dessert was covered in thick and creamy rabri.
Khamiri
A leavened baked flatbread, Khamiri is believed to have originated in the Mughal era and was a staple amongst the people. Mostly found in the streets of Old Delhi, Khamiris make an exceptional combination with non-vegetarian dishes. It paired excellently with the dilli nihari as its soft and fluffy texture enhanced the flavours of the meat.