Sheermal (Persian/Urdu: شیرمال, Hindi: शीरमल, Bengali: শিরমাল/শীরমাল), also spelled shirmal, is a saffron-flavored traditional flatbread eaten in Iran and the Indian subcontinent. The word sheermal is derived from the Persian words شیر (translit. sheer, Sanskrit Kshir) meaning milk, and مالیدن (translit. malidan) meaning to rub or to knead. In a literal translation, sheermal means milk-rubbed. It was introduced to North India by the Mughal emperors during the medieval period. It became a delicacy of Lucknow, Hyderabad and Aurangabad.[1] It is also part of the Awadhi cuisine[2] and is enjoyed in Bhopal and Pakistan.
 Sheermal served in Iran | |
| Alternative names | Shirmal |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Iran, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan |
| Region or state | Iran, Dhaka, Indian subcontinent |
| Main ingredients | Maida, Milk, Ghee, Saffron |
Preparation
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Shirmal is a mildly sweet naan made out of maida, leavened with yeast and baked in a tandoor or oven. Shirmal was traditionally made like roti. Today, shirmal is prepared like naan. The warm water in the recipe for naan roti was replaced with warm milk sweetened with sugar and flavored with saffron and cardamom.
In Iran, there are slight regional variations in the preparation of sheermal. As such, it is sometimes sold as a souvenir when travelling between the regions.
In India, especially in the city of Lucknow, shirmal is sometimes served with kababs, tikkia, or alongside nihari.
See also
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References
edit- ^ "A nawabi affair". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 October 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ "A slice of the Awadh exotica". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2014.