Chicken biryani scores big over mughlai mutton

JAIPUR: Simple chicken biryani has taken over the authentic mughlai mutton delicacies in the eateries at walled city area this Ramzan in Jaipur. The rising price of meat, fuel, spices and health awareness has taken away the mughlai dishes from the taste buds forcing them to savour the chicken biryani which is available at Rs 100 per kilogram. It is considered enough one time meal for three people. The authentic Mughlai dish is prepared in at least 10 spices and takes longer to cook. A serving of 200 grams’ cooked mutton cost between Rs 200-400 per plate. The cost further increases, if added the meal with bread.
The last two years have seen a major shift in the food habit from mutton dishes to chicken in the Muslim dominated areas. Majority of the Muslim families comes from a low-income group and have been hit severely post demonetization. Biryani was not an alien dish but was never a popular dish in the eateries. The change in preference can be gauged from the fact that over 100 chicken biryani shops have come up in the last 2-3 years while the established eateries have increased the quantity to double. A residential-Paharganj with 50 biryani outlets has emerging 'Biryani House' in the city.
"Here the food is prepared round the clock during Ramzan meeting the demand," said Sameer Qureshi, a biryani seller busy handing out tokens to the buyers. Explaining the arithmetic, Qureshi said, “The price of one kg mutton is Rs 440 while chicken cost Rs 180 Kg. It takes less time which means saving on the fuel. The ingredients which are the most expensive part required in chicken biryani is almost 30% of what is required to cook mutton. The main component of rice is procured at Rs 40-50 per kilo. The profitably is dependent upon the volume." He has opened an eatery on a roadside and selling over 200 kg every day.
The takers for biryani over mutton dishes feel that it is handy to eat, packed and distributed. “Our food habits are such that we require meat every alternate day. One has to spend around Rs 600 to feed mutton dish to 4-6 family members whereas for chicken biryani it is done in Rs 200 for the family," said Abdul Qayyum, who works at a jewellery firm in Ramganj.