Somewhere between Malaysia, India, Singapore and New Zealand, I seem to have collected quite a few photographs of briyani.
Beautiful scenery? Yes.
Temples? Plenty.
But apparently, I also needed photographic evidence of lunch. 😂
I love briyani. Whenever I get the chance to try it somewhere different, I’m interested.
Ask me where I’ve had the best one, though, and I’ll struggle.
Chennai alone has given me some very good plates. Just when I think I’ve found a favourite, I remember another meal.
I may need to eat them again before making a decision. For accuracy, of course. 😂
It’s Everything Together
Someone asked me what makes a briyani good.
The rice? The spices? The aroma?
For me, it’s everything.
The smell when the food arrives. Looking at the plate and deciding where that first mouthful is coming from. Then finally tasting it.
That first bite.
There’s a little happiness in it that I find difficult to describe. You’ve been looking forward to the meal, and suddenly it tastes exactly as good as you hoped.
Sometimes all the words you have are:
“Wah… this is good.”
Then you take another bite. 😂
I don’t know how to describe every spice or explain exactly what the cook has done. But I know the pleasure of eating something I really enjoy.
Good briyani gives me that.
A Few Plates Worth Remembering
Looking through these photographs, there’s briyani served on banana leaves, in a metal bowl with little dishes alongside it, and packed in a takeaway container.
Different presentations. Different meals. All worthy of a place in my gallery.
Although writing about them while looking at the pictures has created a small problem.
I’m hungry now. 😂
I still can’t give you one winner across all the places I’ve tried.
But I can tell you why I keep ordering it.
I’m looking forward to that first bite again. 🍛❤️
Simply lovely.
Just here.
— Thana, Beyond The Horizon 🌅
