How to crack the Kakori code

Bad day at the dentist or not, we suggest you stop by Kakori House to savour their melt-in-your-mouth piece de resistance, the Kakori Kebab; even the remaining entr ufffdes on their menu spell culinary opulence, Nawabi style

Bad day at the dentist or not, we suggest you stop by Kakori House to savour their melt-in-your-mouth piece de resistance, the Kakori Kebab; even the remaining entrees on their menu spell culinary opulence, Nawabi style

It's easy to miss Kakori House along the bustling LJ Road, opposite Mahim's Paradise Cinema. Tucked inside a building on a busy sidewalk, its saffron yellow signboard plays saviour as we headed into this tiny, compact eatery that calls itself the guardians of the authentic Kakori Kebab.
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Seizing the opportunity, we ordered the Kakori Kebab (Rs 160, overpriced for 3 pieces?) and Makai Seekh Kebabs (Rs 110) while we tried to bide time by reading about the Kakori Conspiracy and its role in Indian history, in fine print on the paper napkins.



The minimalist interiors and open kitchen didn't help as we watched our manna take shape and form. The legend behind the Kakori is intriguing. A Lucknowi nawab lost all his teeth so he ordered his chefs to prepare a kebab that could be swallowed easily.
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Using finely minced meat, the chefs passed the litmus test with the Kakori. Thus was born, what Awadhi chefs dubbed, the king of kebabs. Clearly, Kakori House creator Ishtiyaque Qureshi's labor of love didn't disappoint.

The vegetarian counterpart made from juicy corn and stuffed into a vegetarian seekh, though tasty, was sidelined amidst the chart topping Kakori.
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Though the spice quotient soon had us scurrying for our soft drinks. Still savouring the Kakori, we took our attendants reccos for the mains Dum Murg Masala Biryani (Rs 170) and the Warqi Paratha (Rs 30) with Lahori Paneer (Rs 150).

The Warqi Paratha, an in-house specialty is a soft paratha made using saffron and milk and is cooked on a special tawa.

The rich, natural yellow outer layer was inviting enough to forget the Biryani, as its aroma vied for our undivided attention.

The Lahori Paneer, a thick kadhai preparation with onions and capsicum complimented the Paratha. We braced ourselves for the last leg.
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Awadhi cuisine prides itself in the virtues of slow cooking and the Biryani, made of marinated chicken chunks, tossed with green herbs and garam masala encapsulated it through every grain of Basmati rice and beyond.

We couldn't have left without lacing our palate with the rice and milk preparation, Zaafrani Malai Phirni (Rs 65). Served in a kulhad, its saffron interlude delicately cajoled our overstuffed selves for an encore. Common sense prevailed, thankfully.u00a0

At: 10A, Shiv Sagar Co-Op Society, opposite Paradise Cinema, LJ Road, Mahim. Call: 65229211/ 65129211. Also at 5, Dunhill Apartments, 26 Waroda Road, Bandra (W).
Kakori House didn't know we were there. The GUIDE reviews and pays anonymously for its meals
Watch video of how to make the Kakori Kebab

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