Haleem (Arabic: حلیم‎, Urdu: حلیم‎, Turkish: Haleem, Persian: هَلیم‎, Bengali: হালিম, Hindi: हलीम ) is stew popular in the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent. Although the dish varies from region to region, it always includes wheat, barley, lentils and meat. Popular variations include keşkek in Anatolia, Iran, the Caucasus region and northern Iraq; harissa in the Arab world and Armenia; khichra in Pakistan and India; and Hyderabadi haleem in Telangana State, India. Haleem is made of wheat, barley, meat (usually beef or mutton, but sometimes chicken or minced meat), lentils and spices, sometimes rice is also used. This dish is slow cooked for seven to eight hours, which results in a paste-like consistency, blending the flavors of spices, meat, barley and wheat. The origin of Haleem lies in the popular Arabian dish known as Harisah (also written as Harees, Hareesa). According to Shoaib Daniyal, writing in the The Sunday Guardian, the first written recipe of Harisah dates back to the 10th century, when Arab scribe Abu Muhammad al-Muzaffar ibn Sayyar compiled a cookbook of dishes popular with the "kings and caliphs and lords and leaders" of Baghdad. “The version described in his Kitab Al-Tabikh (Book of Recipes), the world’s oldest surviving Arabic cookbook, is strikingly similar to the one people in the Middle East eat to this day” it reported. Harisah was introduced by Arab soldiers of the Hyderabad Nizam's army to the city.[2][3][4] Today, Harisah is still available in the Arab quarter of Hyderabad, an area called Barkas, where the dish is called Haris.[2] Later on, the people of Hyderabad modified it to suit their palate thus creating modern Haleem.[3] Haleem is sold as a snack food in bazaars throughout the year. It is also a special dish prepared throughout the world during the Ramadan and Muharram months of the Muslim Hijri calendar, particularly among Pakistanis and Indian Muslims.[citation needed] In India, Haleem prepared in Hyderabad during the Ramadan month, is transported all over the world through a special courier service. Haleem is traditionally cooked in large, wood-fired cauldrons.[5] Haleem is also very popular in Bangladesh, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, when it is a staple dish.[citation needed] In Pakistan, Haleem is available all year round, as well as in most Pakistani restaurants around the world. Haleem is sold as a snack food in Pakistani bazaars throughout the year.[citation needed]Haleem has become a popular dish in the city of Hyderabad, Telangana, in India. Originally an Arabic dish, haleem was introduced to the region during the Mughal period by foreign migrants.[citation needed] Both mitthi (sweet) and khari (salted) variants are served, commonly for breakfast; likewise it is a popular dish to serve ending the fast during Ramadan. A derivative in which dried fruits and vegetables are used, is also prepared during Ramadan. It is also served as a traditional starter at Muslim weddings and other celebrations A traditional Haleem is made by firstly soaking wheat, barley and gram lentil overnight. A spicy meat gravy called Korma is prepared until the meat becomes tender. The wheat, barley and gram are boiled in salt water until they are tender. The cooked wheat, barley and lentils are then mixed with the meat (Beef or Mutton or Chicken) gravy and blended with a heavy hand mixer to obtain a paste-like consistency. The cooking procedure takes about 6 hours to be completed. However, Haleem preparation varies in different regions.[citation needed]

• published: 02 Jul 2015
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