#Biryani Shop

[biryani-in-karachi]

Biryani Shops in Karachi

Biryani shops in Karachi have a unique charm, offering different styles, spices, and presentation. They are often modest, family-run spots, but their flavors are anything but simple. Some of the biryani shops in Karachi are known to keep secret recipes that have been passed down for generations, creating a one-of-a-kind taste that’s impossible to replicate. Many of these spots specialize in specific types of biryani, like chicken, beef, or seafood, making them experts in their chosen style.

[snn-foods]

SNN Non-Veg Masalas, Bringing Authentic Flavors to your Kitchen.!! . Visit our website: www.snnfoods.com/collections/blended-non-veg-spices

[rickanderson123]

Bite into Flavor: The Ultimate Guide to Biryani in Brampton

You know that warm, spicy, and comforting rice dish packed with flavors? It's kind of a big deal around here. And when it comes to the best biryani Brampton has to offer, there's one place that's an absolute must-try - Punjabi Meat Shop. Let me break it down for you.

The Chicken Biryani King

You want to know what makes Punjabi's chicken biryani so amazing? Two words: fresh and authentic. These guys don't mess around with shortcuts or bottled spice mixes. Nope, they use the real deal whole spices and herbs ground down into an insanely fragrant masala. 

Then you've got the chicken itself. They use juicy and tender pieces marinated in that heavenly spiced yogurt sauce until it's bursting with flavor. Well, they also sell raw chicken and mutton.  It all gets layered up with perfectly cooked basmati rice, saffron, nuts, and more before being steamed to biryani perfection. 

The result? An unreal aroma of their biryani Brampton will have your mouth watering as soon as you open the takeout container. Each bite is like a flavor explosion of savory and just straight-up deliciousness. It's no wonder this place has great sales!

What Makes Punjabi Meat Shop Unique?

There’s no doubt that Punjabi Meat Shop's biryani is amazing. But that's not all they have in their menu. Their butter chicken, for example, is mind-blowingly good. Tender tandoori chicken swimming in a rich, garlic-butter curry sauce is perfect. It is great dish for soaking up with fresh naan bread.

If you want to mix it up, their chicken samosa (samosas stuffed with chicken and other tasty ingredients) or seekh kebabs are awesome starts. And don't sleep on their mutton karahi or chicken curry either - both are legit comfort food winners.

So if you're going for a full-on biryani Brampton feast or just swinging by for a quick takeout fix, Punjabi Meat Shop is a no-brainer. It is perfect if you have those South Asian food cravings hit in Brampton. Simple dishes done right with real, quality ingredients - that's the name of the game here.  

Just be sure to order extra biryani Brampton because these leftovers are maybe even better the next day! You can thank me later when you're going back for seconds, thirds and...who's counting anyway?

[eltoncurtis]

Special Occasion Feasts: Planning Your Celebration with Indian Meat Shop Offerings

Planning a special occasion feast? Visit the local Indian meat shop to discover an assortment of high-quality meats. At Indian meat shops, you can make your celebrations tastier by the high-quality meats that are available.

What Sets Indian Meat Shop Offerings Apart?

When it comes to high-quality and fresh meat, Indian butchers are the best in the food industry. Meats have high quality as their best feature and are the main ingredient that makes any event or celebration special. The food items prepared are rooted in the traditions of India. The emphasis on how extraordinary they must be ensures that customers like their taste. If you’re in Brampton, don’t miss Punjabi Meat Shop. This shop offers quality mutton and chicken and it is a restaurant offering different Indian dishes.

Quality Meats for Memorable Meals

For any special event to be planned, the most crucial decision is the quality of the meat that will be cooked. The meat shop, Punjabi Meat Shop based in Brampton ensures that the meats provided are fresh and of high quality for customer satisfaction. This shop offers quality meat that gives assurance to make your meals in the best way. Whether you are making dinner for biryanis or looking for a flavorful family night, you can get your favorite dishes like butter chicken, mutton, and other non-veg dishes.

The best way to celebrate the richness and diversity of your cultural function is by purchasing pieces of meat from an Indian meat shop. They provide you with the chance to put Indian flavors in your meal and personalize it. Ultimately they make a unique experience for those attending.

How Can an Indian Meat Shop Simplify Your Special Occasion Prep?

Planning a celebration should be enjoyable, not stressful. For your next special occasion, consider turning to your local Indian meat shop to curate a feast that transcends the ordinary. The diverse range, quality offerings, culinary expertise, and cultural richness that these shops bring to the table ensure that your celebration is a gastronomic delight. Elevate your special moments with tantalizing flavors and premium meats from your trusted Indian meat shop.

[biryanibykilo]

Why Biryani By Kilo's Biryani Is Different From Other Biryani's?

INTRODUCTION Indulging in the world of biryanis, Biryani By Kilo stands as a beacon of excellence, offering a biryani experience that transcends the ordinary. In this blog, we delve into the distinctive features that set our biryani apart, from the meticulous preparation process to the infusion of regional flavors and a touch of culinary finesse. Freshly Made to Order: At Biryani By Kilo, we…

[onlinemasalacafe]

How to make Restaurant style Chicken Biryani at Home

Masala Café The core of the dish

Biryani is one of the favorite dishes of Southeast Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. This dish originally originated among the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent, especially during the Mughal dynasty. However, the biryani masala manufacturers in kolkata we are making today is slightly different from the original. This has changed over time depending on our priorities and our region.

 You can find Hyderabadi Biryani, Lucknow Biryani, Kolkata Biryani, Chettinad Biryani etc.They are slightly different from each other, but the core is the same. So Masala Café Biryani and Pulao Masala are perfect for any kind of biryani.

 Let's check out the delicious restaurant style chicken biryani recipe with sunrise biryani and pulav masala powder.

 Wash the basmati rice and soak it in water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Then chop the onion, ginger, garlic, tomato and chili and mix until smooth. Cook the rice until it is half cooked, then set it aside and let it cool.Now heat the pan and add oil or ghee or both as per your preference. Add the pasta and cook  for a few minutes. Then add the protein of your choice and cook  until the oil separates. If you use chicken, the cooking time will be shorter than red meat. Once the chicken or meat is ready, take a large pan and grease it  with ghee. Add half of the rice, then sprinkle with Masala Café Biryani Masala Powder in Kolkata and Pulao Masala and season with salt.Then serve the chicken and sprinkle again with Sunrise Biryani and Pulao Masala. Add the final layer by adding the rest of the rice, kewra water, cafe biryani masala and pulao masala rose water, salt and ghee. Pour in some water, cover  and cook over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Serve hot with raita or chaatni.

[punjabimeatshop]

The Art of Making Perfect Goat Biryani: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're a fan of delicious and succulent goat biryani, you're in for a treat. I'm here to share a step-by-step guide on how to craft the perfect goat biryani.

At Punjabi Meat Shop, we take immense pride in providing you with the finest cuts of goat meat and we want to help you create a mouthwatering biryani to match.

Here's a simple, concise guide to mastering this delightful dish.

1. Ingredients Matter

The foundation of any great biryani is quality ingredients. Start with our premium cut of goat meat – tender and full of flavor. You will also need fragrant Basmati rice and spices that include cumin, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, fresh herbs, ghee, and yogurt. Remember, the taste of your biryani begins with the ingredients you choose.

2. Marination Magic

For an irresistible biryani, marinate your goat meat. Now you can a bowl of yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala and a pinch of salt. Rub this mixture onto the meat and let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours. This step infuses the meat with exquisite flavors and makes it tender.

3. Layering Perfection

Layering is the secret to a biryani that's bursting with flavors. In a heavy-bottomed pot, use between layers of parboiled rice and the marinated goat meat. Finish with a layer of fried onions and mint leaves. Seal the pot with dough to trap the flavors.

4. Slow Cooking Magic

Now, for the pièce de résistance – the slow-cooking process. Place your sealed pot on low heat and let the biryani simmer to perfection. The slow cooking allows the flavors to meld and ensures that each grain of rice absorbs the rich, meaty goodness.

You've got the perfect goat biryani, courtesy of Punjabi Meat Shop

In just a few simple steps, you can create a goat biryani that's sure to impress your family and guests. So what are you waiting for? Head over to Punjabi Meat Shop and pick up the finest cuts of goat meat and try your hand at this delightful goat biryani recipe. You won't be disappointed. Enjoy your culinary journey and savor the delightful flavors of your homemade goat biryani.

[buffetlicious]

Had to make a trip to our office in Johor Bahru, Malaysia with my colleagues. Was invited to lunch with him and another colleague from the Malaysia office. He brought us to Awana Asian Kitchen which occupied two shop units. We walked pass the open dining area and straight to the air-conditioned section. My other colleague ordered the Nasi Beriani Ayam (RM12.80) or Chicken Biryani in English. The chicken is cooked rendang style with long grain basmati rice and served with pickled vegetables, papadam and curry gravy.

Asked my Malaysian colleague what he usually ordered here and he told me Nasi Ayam Penyet (RM12.80). The dish came with a fried whole chicken leg, tempeh, mushroom, bean curd and rice along with raw long bean sections, cucumber and cabbage plus sambal chilli. The chicken is fresh off the wok and is so tender and juicy with crispy savoury skin. I love everything on the bamboo serving dish except the raw and hard long beans.

[redbleedingrose]

I feel like Rhys makes some good ass hot chai.

Not like the chai’s from coffee shops if that makes sense, but the real authentic shit that you can make at home.

I’m craving some hot chai right now but I can’t make any because I used up the last of my ingredients last night and I don’t want to go to the store 😔😔

He’s also a great cook. Had to throw that in there.

He really does. Rhysand is a pro at making chai, the mother hen he is. Male is putting the cinnamon and cardamom into the chai with the cloves and it is just mwah, chefs kiss.

I can agree that he makes some bomb ass food, though he rarely does it. His mother def taught him how to make chicken biryani that is so spicy, your mouth waters every time you have it. And the beef nihari he makes??? Shut the fuck up its so fucking good. The spice, the beef literally falling apart in your mouth with the buttered naan that he made himself.

sigh, he is the best cook out of the two of you, and while you loathe to admit it, he makes the best chai in the WORLD.

Also don't even get me started on the fact that he hand feeds you your meals. You are his QUEEN, and you are not lifting a finger. Not even for fresh cooked palaou. His favorite part is when you use your teeth to scrap the flavor off his fingers. Def gets the slut in him going imo.

[ramcharantitties]

Rangrez

Chapter 3: Keen

Sita's note: Imagine lying to a police officer lol

When Akhtar brought Kainat home, the whole family stalled, thinking he got married. He already had this responsibility, how was he going to get married now? The breath of relief they exhaled upon clarification sent Akhtar in confusion and made Kainat smile to herself.

It was a sweet family of four people, the kind of family Kainat often dreamed of. A supportive mother, a loving sister and a present father. Somehow, somewhere, Kainat envied Akhtar. Kainat soon got to know that they have a mechanic shop. She promised that as much as she is welcomed home, she won't extend her stay for long.

The only person she didn't understand was Ram. He was serious, yet kind looking man. There were glimpse of hope yet burden in his eyes, and she was keen to know more. Besides, years of training has told her how to read the face of a man. Their first meeting, as she felt, was tolling on him. She didn't understand if he was an ally to the police- perhaps yes. Maybe he was an inside informer. Spies reigned the streets of Lahore- she couldn't be trusting of anyone, anywhere. Kainat felt closer to her goal of freedom after coming to Delhi. The underground and informal meetings, exchange of information and knowledge, planning revolts and revolutions- she wanted to be a part of all of it. And it wasn't possible from the back of her horse cart.

But Delhi was not as easy to fit in, just like this family. Kainat always spent most of her time alone in Shahi Mahal, and sometimes she sprawled upon Khwabgah, doing her art. She painted various murals, only for them to be covered with dust instead of praises. Kainat wondered if she could do all of that here. But this close knit family reminded her that sometimes the best moment comes from just spending time together. Rehana was occasionally kind, but never hated Kainat. Mallika for some reason, did.

The expressions that planted on Kainat's face were only readable to Ram. She felt lucky to be invited to this lunch, eating with everyone. Ram could see the gratefulness on her face. But that raised questions in his mind. Kainat sat next to Akhtar, across Ram. Picking up her spoon, she began to eat when Akhtar pulled it back. "Eat from your hands, that's more fulling" Ram stared at Kainat, who hesitated but followed Akhtar. The way she took small bites, her hands, her lips, everything was elegant about her. Ram's gaze was interrupted when he felt Akhtar tapping his knee and smiling to himself.

Kainat saw Akhtar almost everyday, but he never really asked or interrogated about her background. She often told her Lahore stories to his younger sister anyways although Kainat never saw Ram. She wanted to thank Akhtar and his family, so she took up the kitchen to make Chicken Biryani for them.

She sat away from them, watching and serving when needed. As they huddled around the huge plate, the graceful Kainat died inside. Ram and Akhtar devoured the dish twice the speed of everyone else. On one incident, Akhtar used both his hands to eat. "Akhtar bhaiya, eat from your right hand!" She remarked, when she felt Ram's hot gaze at her. "How does it matter, I'm gonna eat it anyways" Akhtar's reply took away Ram's attention. "You come and eat too" Akhtar looked at Kainat.

Everyone relaxed after the meal, and Ram saw Kainat cleaning the kitchen up, following her. "What was your name again?" Ram's velvety voice shocked Kainat, making her jump. She looked back to see Ram leaning against the door frame, his eyes fixated on her. She turned around to face him. "Kainat" she muttered. "And where do you come from, in Lahore?"

"Heer-" a realisation dawned on Kainat; what if he knew about her birthplace? "Heer?" Kainat saw Ram straining to hear more. "Near Heeramandi" she said, her breaths getting shorter. "And why did you come to Delhi?" Kainat thought hard- would it hurt to tell the truth? "My sister was going to sell me to someone, after our parents died. She wanted everything my father has written in his will for me. So I ran away" Kainat looked down, her hands fiddling. "Do you belong to any royalty or just a rich family?" The poor girl looked up at Ram again. "Rich family, my father's business boomed" she wondered if that's how children with fathers talk. "And how l-" "you ask too many questions" Kainat couldn't help but notice. "Even Akhtar bhaiya didn't ask as many" she smiled, looking at Ram's mouth agape. His expression turned to a sincere and serious one, as he moved closer to her, step by step.

"And that's why I have to." Ram's breath hit her, his voice audible to only them. Kainat's smile fell. They stared at each other for what seemed to be a long time, when they were interrupted by a voice outside. "Kainat, can you make tea for everyone?"

She moved almost immediately, turning around to pick up the pan and filled it with water. Kainat reached her hand out to pick up the steel box of tea leaves, only to find it empty. She could still feel Ram staring at her every move, but she said nothing. Ammi did say in the morning where the box of tea leaves is, but it was too up for Kainat. She tried to pick it up, but her fingers slid it back on the shelf. Kainat could feel a presence around her, closer than where Ram was. She turned around to see Ram picking up the box. He breathed down Kainat's neck, his fingers barely grazing the box. "Maybe I should move" she began to escape the close space, only to be stopped by Ram's denial. "No, I got it" he said, handing the box to her now.

Kainat muttered a small thanks, and put two spoons of leaves in the boiling water, when she felt Ram's lips almost touching her ear. "If I found that you're lying, there'd be repercussions". A chill went down her spine, but before she could turn and see him- the kitchen was empty.

______________________________________

Tagging: @jkdaddy01 @ramayantika @definitelyhim @starlight-1010 @panikk-attackkk @vijayasena @lilliebeingdelulu @multifandom-boss-bitch @yehsahihai

[biryani-in-karachi]

Top 10 Biryani Spots in Karachi: A Food Lover’s Guide

Karachi is a city that breathes biryani. As one of the most iconic dishes in Pakistani cuisine, biryani is more than just a meal here; it’s a beloved tradition. Whether you’re a local foodie, a traveler, or new to the city, finding the best biryani in Karachi is a must to truly experience its culinary culture. Known for its spices, tender meat, and aromatic rice, Karachi’s biryani is a delicious adventure that draws food lovers from all walks of life. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the top spots for biryani in Karachi.

The Love for Biryani in Karachi

Karachi’s food culture is vibrant, and biryani stands at its heart. With origins tracing back to the Mughal era, biryani has evolved over centuries to become a staple that Karachiites can’t get enough of. The best biryani in Karachi features layers of spiced meat, fragrant rice, and just the right kick of heat. This beloved dish is often enjoyed on all occasions, from family gatherings to casual outings, and each place has its unique spin on this classic.

Types of Biryani You Can Find in Karachi

Biryani comes in various types in Karachi, and each has its own distinct taste. Here are a few popular variations you’re likely to encounter:

Classic Karachi Biryani: Known for its intense spices and aroma, the classic Karachi biryani is usually made with beef or chicken and incorporates a unique combination of spices that give it a bold flavor.

Bombay Biryani: This type includes potatoes along with meat, and has a slightly sweeter taste due to the use of dried plums. The addition of potatoes makes it a favorite for many Karachiites.

Mutton Biryani: For those who love mutton, this biryani is rich and flavorful, with tender mutton pieces that blend perfectly with the spices.

Sindhi Biryani: This version is typically spicier, often featuring green chilies, and is packed with bold flavors. It’s a fiery delight for those who enjoy their biryani with a bit of extra heat.

Seafood Biryani: Unique to Karachi, seafood biryani uses prawns or fish, which adds a coastal twist to this traditional dish, making it a refreshing alternative for seafood lovers.

What to Look for in the Best Biryani in Karachi

Finding the best biryani in Karachi depends on a few essential qualities that define this iconic dish. Here are the elements to consider:

1. Quality of Rice

Good biryani starts with quality rice, ideally long-grain basmati that cooks to a light, fluffy texture. The rice should be separate, yet perfectly seasoned and aromatic.

2. Tenderness of Meat

The meat in biryani should be tender, succulent, and fully cooked. Whether it’s chicken, beef, mutton, or seafood, the meat should easily pull apart with a fork, absorbing the spices in each layer.

3. Balance of Spices

Karachi biryani is known for its complex spice profile. The best biryani spots maintain a balanced blend that’s neither too overpowering nor too bland, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.

4. Aroma

The aroma is often what draws people to biryani. A good biryani has an irresistible smell due to the saffron, cardamom, and other spices that blend during the cooking process.

5. Fresh Garnishes

A touch of fresh garnishes, like fried onions, green chilies, coriander, and sometimes a boiled egg, add the final layer of flavor and texture. These small details often make a big difference in the overall biryani experience.

Why Karachi’s Biryani Shops Stand Out

Biryani Shops in Karachi

Biryani shops in Karachi have a unique charm, offering different styles, spices, and presentation. They are often modest, family-run spots, but their flavors are anything but simple. Some of the biryani shops in Karachi are known to keep secret recipes that have been passed down for generations, creating a one-of-a-kind taste that’s impossible to replicate. Many of these spots specialize in specific types of biryani, like chicken, beef, or seafood, making them experts in their chosen style.

Buffet in Karachi

For those who love variety, buffets in Karachi often feature biryani as one of their main dishes, allowing diners to enjoy it alongside other Pakistani dishes. Buffets are a great option for anyone who wants to sample biryani along with various other foods, making it easy to appreciate how it pairs with traditional sides like raita, salad, and naan.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Biryani Spot

To ensure you’re getting the best biryani in Karachi, here are some tips:

Look for Recommendations: Karachiites are passionate about biryani, and local recommendations are often the best way to discover authentic spots. Locals can guide you toward hidden gems or famous spots with a longstanding reputation.

Check for Freshness: The best biryani spots in Karachi prepare their food fresh every day. A good biryani shop won’t serve leftover biryani from the day before, as freshness plays a big role in the flavor.

Observe the Crowds: A busy biryani spot is often a good indicator of quality. If a restaurant consistently has a large crowd, it’s usually a sign that they’re serving some of the best biryani around.

Try Different Styles: Each biryani spot in Karachi has its own style, and trying different types can give you a deeper appreciation of the variations that exist within this iconic dish.

Watch for Seasonal Specials: Some places offer seasonal varieties of biryani, like seafood biryani, which may only be available at certain times of the year.

Making the Most of Your Biryani Experience

Biryani is best enjoyed with the right accompaniments, which add to the overall flavor. Here are a few traditional pairings that enhance the experience of eating biryani:

Raita: A yogurt-based condiment with cucumbers and spices, raita cools down the heat from the spices and adds a refreshing element.

Salad: Simple salads made with onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers add a crunchy contrast to the soft, fluffy biryani.

Shami Kebabs: Many Karachi biryani spots serve shami kebabs on the side, adding a layer of texture and flavor that complements the biryani.

Green Chutney: A spicy green chutney made with mint and green chilies can enhance the flavors of biryani, especially for those who enjoy extra spice.

[snn-foods]

"Simplify Cooking: One Masala, Many Recipes - SNN Garam masala"

https://snnfoods.com/collections/blended-veg-spices/products/premium-garam-masala

[possibilistfanfiction]

fuck dude i spent the past two days reading the entirety of girls against god and catching up on we lived happily during the war and i s2g it’s the most i’ve cried in YEARS what the fuck bea’s trans niece?? it all must mean so much to bea?? what the FUCK oh my god i am so emotional i have so many feeling ily tysm for your service 🥹 (also BIG fan of footy au. big big fan. you are incredible) THANK YOU

[bea's niece! love her! here u go]

//

you’re thrilled that your parents have decided to spend a few days away in ojai at some winery aunt bea recommended, because as much as you love them, unlimited and mostly unsupervised time with your aunts is pretty much the best thing in the world.

they’d planned to take you to a cool, nice dinner at this trendy place asaad had seen on tiktok, which honestly sounded fun. plus, it’s mexican food, which is basically your favorite other than your nani’s lamb biryani. and it had seemed exciting and fun but then you had looked through your entire suitcase and didn’t love any of the tops you packed, and you want to do your makeup but you’re not that good at it yet, and usually your mama helps you, and —

you sniffle and take a calming breath, wipe the tears from under your eyes. it’s okay, you tell yourself. you can ask for help. your aunts love you, and your big brother loves you, and sometimes, of course, he teases you but not about this. never about this. if you felt bad enough you didn’t want to go out, no one would be mad at you.

you take another big breath and then put on one of aunt bea’s old t-shirts she’d accidentally left in london last year and then had laughed and told you to keep it. you walk down the stairs to your aunts’ bedroom. asaad and aunt bea are tending to the herb garden outside, and you’re not surprised to see aunt ava seemingly emptying a quarter of their closet onto their big bed. you linger in the doorway, your heart caught a little in your throat, but then aunt ava looks up and stills, then offers you a smile that always feels warm, and calm, and you don’t ever wonder why aunt bea fell in love with them.

‘what’s up, kiddo?’

you take a second to compose yourself because you really don’t want to cry; you’ve spent enough time around the both of them that you know aunt ava understands how to be patient and let you arrive at what you need to say in your own time. ‘my mama usually helps with my makeup.’

‘ah,’ aunt ava says, already excited. ‘what’s the vibe your feeling? also, what are you wearing? i can’t decide.’ she gestures to the bed with her cane. ‘as you can see.’

it gets you to laugh, a knot in your chest loosening. ‘um, maybe i can borrow one of your crops? my camo cargo pants, i think, and my new cdg converse.’

‘ooh,’ ava says, ‘love. and yes, of course you can borrow anything you want. i’m still mad you’re big enough they fit you, but i’ll forgive you. growing up is better than the alternative.’

you frown at that but aunt ava doesn’t seem bothered, or sad or upset.

‘hmm. morbid. my bad.’

‘you good?’

‘i’m awesome.’ she smiles and gestures for you to actually come into the room. her hair falls in easy waves past her shoulders, longer than when you’d last seen her for eid, and it’s easy to hug her tightly, to settle into her gentle embrace, to smell the detergent that reminds you of aunt bea, and aunt ava’s subtle light perfume, and the lavender lotion you get to use every time you’re here. you know he understands, in a different way than aunt bea but in a way that matters too, that flows like water and makes you feel like you’re lifting your face to the sun, what it feels like to be bigger than what the world expects of you and your body.

your parents are the best; they’d gotten you hormone blockers immediately when you asked, and your mama and auntie had taken you shopping for pretty bras in the fanciest shops in london last month, and your dad practices your drag routines with you after football practice.

but still: people who feel it, people who know — your family, in the deepest way. you pray five times a day, in thanks, usually. blessings, you know, even now.

‘the vibe is, like, i don’t know. subtle but glitter?’

aunt ava squeezes you. ‘incredible. i’m obsessed already. maybe a glitter eyeliner?’

you relax: aunt ava loves you.

‘do you have your makeup here? i have, like, enough fun shit — uh, stuff — to cover us for any look you want, but obviously not foundation or concealer for you. but if you don’t have any, we can send your aunt and brother.’ she laughs. ‘asaad can be your skin tone match.’

'i have some makeup.' you let yourself take a deep breath, because aunt ava is happy; she wants to do makeup with you, and let you borrow clothes, and go out to a cool restaurant. it's not a duty, or because you're family — when your aunts get to help you be yourself, it makes them happy. 'but it's mostly boring.'

'the basics are very important, though.' she smiles. 'well, go grab any of yours that you want to use, then come meet me back down here. you can look through mine and use any you want. and i'm the prettiest person i know, so i can help.'

'number one?'

'way too like beatrice,' she says, 'mean. for no reason! but i'll humor you.' ava bites their bottom lip in contemplation. 'well, i met janelle monae last year. and shangela comes into my bar often.'

'you live a wild life,' you say, and aunt ava laughs. 'so, third?'

'yeah,' she confirms. 'well, fourth, maybe.'

'who's third on the list, then?'

'you, of course.'

it makes you blush, but you turn quickly so aunt ava can't really see. you know she knows, but, like, it's fine. whatever. maybe she's the prettiest person you've ever seen and she's kind and funny and smart and owns her own bar, but she's also your aunt, who you've watched throw up in a bush after she drank too much champagne at brunch one time, and she always falls asleep on aunt bea's shoulder when you go to a movie. there's no reason to be embarrassed, and there's also no reason, you remind yourself, to not want to feel pretty.

you get your setting spray and foundation and concealer and their respective brushes, and then aunt ava shows you through a lot of makeup. you don't think you'll ever want to own this much makeup in your entire life, and it's kind of funny because aunt ava doesn't really wear much most days, but she just — she loves it. she loves sharing with you, and explaining why she got stuff that doesn't really make sense, and eventually you pick out a gold eyeliner to use. aunt ava makes sure not to cover your freckles completely when she helps with your foundation, and then, when you try to do the eyeliner yourself and mess it up, she hands you a makeup wipe without any judgement or impatience.

you finish with some mascara, and you sit and talk and listen to music in the background while aunt ava does her own makeup. she lets you pick out any crop you want, and she decides, after a fair amount of deliberation, on a sundress that you know is aunt bea's favorite on her. gay, you think, and then say aloud because you're sure aunt ava will appreciate it. and she does: she laughs, and aunt bea kisses her after she knocks on the doorframe and then smiles softly when she sees the two of you.

'you both look amazing,' she says. 'asaad has already freshened up, so i just need to change, and then we can go. i'm confident it we leave in ten minutes, we'll make our reservation time.'

'what if we left in twelve minutes?' aunt ava asks.

aunt bea just ignores her and walks to their closet and lightly closes the door, which seems to delight aunt ava. she snorts.

'love her.'

'you guys are weird.'

'just wait until you have a partner or partners. if you're doing it right, which i'm sure you eventually will, because you're the best, it's all just the best kind of weird.'

they're right, you know. you get to be surrounded by all kinds of love and you've always gotten to see it every day. but still, when aunt bea walks out in tailored slacks and loafers and a loose linen button up with intricate stitching, a little mascara on her face, her hair with a few strands of silver in it now, less than your dad's but mostly the same — you can breathe in another way. you have the careful way your mama helps you wash your hair every week when you told her you wanted to grow it out, and how she always takes you with her to get your threading done together; you have your dad's genuine joy whenever he takes you to women's football matches, and the way he cries at shows with queer storylines that end happily; you have your brother and the way he always, always, makes sure his group of friends never misgenders you — ever since you came out, none of them have treated you any differently at all; you have aunt ava, whose identities are as big and open and exuberant as she is.

and you have your aunt beatrice, you smiles sincerely and, of course, notices your eyeliner. she taught you how to shave your legs when you were too nervous to ask your mama, for whatever reason that seemed confusing at the time in your head. she plays tennis with you and she's never mean but she also never lets you win; if you ever beat her one day, it will be on your own merit. you're pretty sure she could literally kill someone twice her size with one hand, but she has never been anything but gentle toward you, your entire life.

she tucks a pair of sunglasses in the V of her shirt and puts on one of her fancy watches with a thick band. she smiles at you. 'ready to go?'

'mhm. i'm hungry.'

she kisses aunt ava's temple and then puts a gentle hand to the small of your back, ushers you out of their room and to the foyer where asaad is waiting on the couch. it's still warm and sunny and gorgeous. aunt bea makes sure the front door is locked and then takes one last look in the mirror. this smile is all for herself, one you've had so many times, one that, on her, lights you up from the inside. she fluffs her hair and then nods, and you get it, unspoken: she must like who she sees looking back at her.

when she sits on your bed later that night, after you've all eaten more than your fair share and aunt ava had done a lot of moaning over some shishito peppers, after she'd driven everyone home and you had all changed into pajamas and watched half of a movie while she and aunt ava had a glass of wine — you curl into her hip and put your head on her lap.

you want to thank her — for being who she is, for being part of your family, for loving you — and everyone she cares for — in this quiet, stoic, unrelentingly gentle way. but you're sleepy, and you don't want to cry. she runs a gentle hand up and down your spine.

'did you have a good day?'

'yeah, aunt bea.' you think of the beach and aunt ava's laugh and your brother's gentle insistence that he hold every door open for the three of you; how good the food was and how you'd seen bella ramsey at a table and asaad had blushed so hard you had laughed. you think of the quiet way aunt bea had gotten aunt ava her medications in the morning at breakfast, a kiss to the top of her head. a long, long life together. a home, with you included, in any way you want. 'i had the best day.'

[andmaybegayer]

Last Monday of the Week 2023-10-16

Another year older. Stealing the Untitled Wednesday Library Series format from Morrak for an open Reading section and then we'll get to the normal post.

Reading:

Untitled Monday Wednesday Library Entry No. 0

Do you like a recipe book? Do you like an unbearably comprehensive and frequently incorrect recipe book? Well boy do I have an item for you:

It's Indian Delights, the de facto standard book of South African Indian cooking. Assembled in the 60's by the Durban Women's Cultural Group and in print ever since then.

The How

A birthday gift from my parents, who sent it from South Africa.

There are apparently places that carry this book outside of South Africa but I do not know what those are.

The Text

Dubious, but useful despite this. It was written in the 60's by a bunch of people who had never and would never again write a recipe book. You may note from the frontmatter that while it has had sixteen impressions since its first publication in 1961, there has only ever been a single revision of the book. There are numerous errors, omissions, and flaws. Recipes may list ingredients that are not used, call for ingredients in the method not given before, begin preparing components and never use them, or outright lie about the quantities of ingredients you need. A challenging exercise.

Any given individual's copy of this book is full of little pen notes, slips of paper, and scratched out experiments. I have a blank canvas.

It is absolutely stuffed to the brim with recipes from the then-almost-century of South African development on South Asian cuisine. It is intended as a one-stop-shop for cooking from a diaspora of extremely wide origins.

South African Indians arrived in South Africa as indentured labour for British sugar farms and could just as easily be from the relatively cold and mountainous North Indian regions or the low, rainy, hot coastal areas of South India. As a result you've had almost a hundred years of adapting to the locally available ingredients, intermarriages across wide geographic origins, and failing memories. There are frequently many duplicates of any given recipe, each with some unique variation of note.

It is also extremely dated. It still lives in an era where "adding an elachi (cardamom) pod to your rice" is a luxurious choice that requires financial considerations, and where meat was still expensive. It also has a delightful section on mass cooking, such as the above "Biryani for 100 people" which has an additional note on the ingredients for a "Biryani for 800 people" on the opposite leaf. These things come up sometimes, although the largest biryani I've ever been involved in was for about 60 people.

It is not really for beginners but it does have a lot of introductory matter, in part because it has to contend with the mishmash of languages and loanwords that exist. You don't know if the reader uses the hindi word for cumin, or the tamil word for cumin, or makes a formal distinction between roti and chapati. As a result, there are extensive opening tables of translations.

The Object

Big, blocky hardcover recipe book. Cheap but hardwearing coated pages. I have seen these in every imaginable state of disrepair, unfortunately I do not have a photo on hand of my mother's which is completely beat to hell.

I mentioned that there have not been many updates, and this continues to the outside. Not a single impression has, for example, corrected the misalignment of the spine and the cover that means it stands out on any book storage system.

Some damage to the cover from the rigours of air travel. It'll recover, or rather, it'll get beat up in ways that make that negligible.

The photography is antiquated, having been taken by a photographer who was certainly good but was operating a) with 1961 camera technology, b) 1961 photographic sensibilities, and c) no real experience in food photography. As a result the images can look somewhat alien if you're familiar with more modern food photograpy. Colours are not accurate, framing is flat, and composition is often packed.

In addition to the colour glamour plates, there are black and white instructional photos, which are much more timeless.

The Why, Though?

Indian Delights is a very important cultural reference for the South African Indian population, and it's a pretty standard leaving home/getting married/leaving home and getting married gift. I've bought a copy for many friends and now this one is mine.

Will I actually use this much? Certainly not that often. My mother and her sisters learned to cook from this book, so it is the root of my personal culinary tradition. That means I already know a lot of what can be distilled from this for day-to-day recipes. Where it is handy is for more technical dishes, which require some guidance, or as an ingredient reference for something new you want to try.

In particular Diwali is coming up and while both my mother and I are staunch atheists, we will also take any excuse to make a ton of sweets for friends. If you are in Prague in the week of the 12th of November you can probably hit me up for something.

Listening: Acheney is a shockingly talented synth designer for the niche softsynth tracker sunvox, available now on windows, mac, linux, windows CE, android, and iOS. I was tooling around with their Guitar synths and decided to check out their music, which is a couple albums of very high concept EDM inspired ambient and/or noise stuff. Here's Euler Characteristic Zero

Watching: @humansbgone is an animated sci-fi series about intelligent giant arthropods and their attempts to deal with invasions of pesky little humans

Big spec-bio focus with a lot of end notes on the arthropods in question.

Playing: Played the Trans Siberian Railway Simulator demo, which I recorded and put up here, with crap audio because it's authentic to what I had lying around after I forgot my headphones at work.

Also: the digital version of the D&D themed agent placement game Lord of Waterdeep with my family, which works quite well. It's weird to have the game handling the admin of moving points around and automatically deducting resources, but it does make the game go very quickly, even if your parents are still figuring out the interface.

Making: Big cooking experiment with a slow roast lamb shank. Came out very well. Lamb shank definitely one of the more animal parts of an animal you can cook. Smells intensely of lanolin and other hair smells. Real greasy. Big honkin' bone. Smooth and fine but sturdy musculature. This thing used to be a very specific part of something alive and that thing lived the kind of life that develops the very particular smells of the insides of a sheep that are very close to the outside of a sheep. You will find some wool fibers in your pan from where the follicles reach down close to the bone and sinew.

Tools and Equipment: Easyeffects is the successor to PulseEffects and is a very complete set of audio tuning and manipulation tools for Linux. You can use it to process incoming and outgoing audio with basically any plugin you care to imagine.

[biryanibykilo]

Low-Fat and High-Protein Chicken Biryani Recipes

Introduction Chicken Biryani, a cherished gem in Indian cuisine, is celebrated for its rich flavors and aromatic spices. In response to the rising wave of health-consciousness, there’s a growing interest in giving this classic dish a nutritious makeover. In this blog post, we’ll explore the art of crafting a Chicken Biryani that maintains its tantalizing taste while being lower in fat and higher…

[carforride]

Top 10 Reasons to Rent a Car in Lucknow for Your Next Trip

Lucknow, the cultural hub of Uttar Pradesh, is a city of rich heritage, culinary delights, and vibrant markets. Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace. Here are the key reasons to opt for car rental services in Lucknow:

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