Rightly called the ‘cuisine of the kings’, you can trace back the roots of the Mughlai cuisine to the Mughal Empire whose rulers were passionate about the foods they treated themselves to. Mughlai cuisine is a cuisine that is predominantly non-vegetarian but makes room for even the vegetarians. All the dishes on the menu card of an authentic Mughlai restaurant are delicacies, which are relished by millions not only in India but also around the world. 
What is it that makes our taste buds yearn so much for the Mughlai cuisine? Well, in my opinion it is the richness in terms of flavors, aroma, and color that the countless yummy dishes of this cuisine have to offer. The generous use of some of the most enthralling food ingredients such as saffron, rose petals, scores of aromatic spices and condiments, dry fruits, lavish use of butter or ghee, fresh cream, curds to name a few is the most fascinating part of this cuisine. Therefore, if you are on a diet or a person who is finicky about calories you consume, then Mughlai cuisine is not the food for you.
How do you plan to begin your royal dining experience? The starters are one of the most lip-smacking culinary wonders called kebabs. These are grilled food items made from either chicken or mutton or even from fish and prawns for those who love seafood. Thus, you can begin your meal by ordering any of the delicious starters like Tandoori Chicken, Tangdi Kebab, Shami Kebab, Seekh Kebab, Reshmi Kebab, Nargisi Kebab, Boti Kebab, Gulati Kebab, Kathi Kebab, Mutton Chops, Tandoori Fish, Tandoori Prawns and many more. Vegetarians need not feel left out as there are vegetarian alternatives as well and you can go in for starters made from paneer and vegetables.
Moving on to the main course, you have numerous rich, thick curries to feast on. The curries are cooked with generous amounts of butter, curd, fresh cream and flavored with ginger-garlic and other yummy food ingredients and some even consist of croquets or “koftas” made from either chicken, mutton, paneer or vegetables instead of whole meats and vegetables. Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, Chicken Dopyaaza, Chicken White, Dal Gosht, Dabba Gosht, Mutton Salli Boti, Kheema Masala, Raan Masala, Rogan Josh, Prawn Tikka Masala, Paneer Tikka Masala, Paneer Makhani, Navratan Korma are some of the famous curries Mughlai cuisine has to offer.
The best way to savor these curries is eating them with piping hot breads preferably topped with butter or ghee. These include Naan, Kulcha, Paratha, Missi Roti, Rumali Roti and Khasta Roti. If you are not a fan of curries and bread, then you can try the yummy rice dishes such as various kinds of Biryani and Pulao cooked to perfection with the best of spices and meats or vegetables. To finish of this royal meal in a royal way you can feast on rich desserts such as Shahi Tukda, Phirni, various kinds of Halwa, Rabri, Rasmalai, Sevian, Kulfi etc.
Once a prerogative of only the royals, today everyone irrespective of his/her status relishes the Mughlai cuisine. So, go ahead and pamper your taste buds with this royal gastronomy.
Image: Tarladalal
Via: Amazingindia, Geocities, Indiadiets
