The Twin Cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, especially the
main and old areas have Irani Cafés and Restaurants at every Crossroad and on
every Street. The most popular item available and sold in thousands at every
Irani Café is Irani Chai, which is Irani Tea. It is available from well before
sunrise to midnight. I wrote about the popularity of Irani Chai earlier, which
you may read by clicking on the following link:
"Irani Chai" is
a Cup of Life! for Lakhs of people! in Hyderabad.
Along with Tea; a number of snacks are available at these Cafés.
‘Tea Biscuits’ like Osmania biscuits, Tie biscuits and Salt biscuits are
available at all times. Starting from dawn to about 8:30AM Lukhmi is available.
Lukhmi; as available at all Irani Cafés is a thick and huge triangular, flat
Bhatura / Puri sort of a soft snack made from Maida (Refined flour), with a
very little stuffing of potato curry. Lukhmi’s irregular three sides measure
from 7 to 9 inches! You can get an idea of Lukhmi’s large size by comparing it
with the size of the tiny Samosa, in the above pictures.
After 8:30 AM, Irani Samosas also known as Tikki Samosas are
available at all these Cafés. These Samosas are made by some private persons as
a cottage enterprise at some central locations and supplied to Irani Cafés. The
Samosa wrapping is with Atta (Wheat flour) and Maida (Refined flour). The
stuffing is of Onion, cooked with Coriander leaves, Green Chillies, Chilli
powder, Chaat masala, Cumin powder and Beaten rice (Poha). Samosas are
available at these Cafés till evening; or until stocks last.
For Hyderabadis away from home and missing Irani Samosas, and those who cannot come down to Hyderabad to taste this favourite snack of Hyderabad; here is the ‘Video recipe’ from my favourite Chef, Sanjay Thumma:
నిజంగా నా నోరు ఊరుతుంది
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