An Arabian Tale: Biryani Goes West

This week, we return to one of our favorite dishes, but we’re not talking about it in India. Instead, we delve into why and how this flavorful mix of rice, spices, oil, and meat became so popular in the United Arab Emirates. We discuss the historical ties between the Arab world and South Asia, the prevalence of South Asians in the UAE, and the history of pearl diving and how these pieces fit into our biryani mystery. Finally, Faye reviews a play.

Angsty Biryani Conquests

In the third installment of our India series, we discuss how teenage angst fueled the creation of the Mughal Empire, why Babur hated India (for no valid reasons, Ria might add), and how Akbar brought shame to his ancestors by allowing Indian culture to corrupt him. Finally, we trace the cultural mixing that led to the evolution of biryani.