28th november,2014 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine www.ricepluss.com Vol 4,Issue XI

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter

28th November, 2014

Today’s News Headlines…  MAY SAGOT D'YAN | If rice production is so high, why do prices keep rising? Experts explain  Vast opportunities exist in exports of rice, fruits to Iran  Experts call for floating-rice preservation despite low yield  Pak, Iran agriculture trade can be increased  DOJ urged to fast-track smuggling cases  MAY SAGOT D'YAN | If rice production is so high, why do prices keep rising? Experts explain  Kakinada anchorage port to become rice export hub  Telangana decentralises levy rice procurement  Ep 4 - Egg and Shrimp Fried Rice  Honrr rice  Taj Biryani puts love in every grain of rice

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine News Detail...

Vast opportunities exist in exports of rice, fruits to Iran November 28, 2014 RECORDER REPORT

Pakistani agricultural commodities especially rice, kinnow, potato and mango are in high demand in Iranian markets thus offering huge potential to increase exports of these commodities manifold between the two neighbouring countries. The Punjab government is taking many steps for enhancing the bilateral trade especially export of agricultural commodities to Iran which include steps to save these commodities from pests and different diseases in line with the international standards. This was disclosed by the Punjab Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed while addressing 'Rice Exporters Conference' held here on Thursday. The conference was also participated by a 14member Iranian trade delegation and Iranian Consul General to Lahore Agha Bani Asadi.

The Iranian delegation includes Iranian members of the parliament Dr Fatahi, Dr Abidi and Dr Tameeni, rice importers and agricultural experts while conference was also attended by the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) members including Pir Nazam Hussain Shah. Rice Research Institute (RRI) Kala Shah Kaku Director Dr Akhtar, Dr Ashfaq and Deputy Food Commissioner Dr Waseem also participated in the conference. The Punjab Minister said both Iran and Pakistan were enjoying brotherly relations and also gave importance to increasing bilateral trade. He said that Iranian agricultural experts were welcomed in the fields and orchards of

Punjab province to explore the potential of enhancing trade of agricultural commodities.

Dr Farrukh Javed stressed the need for installing quarantine set-up at Pak-Iran border to allow agricultural commodities import and export after proper inspection according to hygiene principles.

He said only healthy citizen could play their role in the development and progress of the country and bringing agricultural production in line with principles of health we could not only meet food requirements but also promote a healthy society. Iranian Consul General Agha Bani Asadi speaking on this occasion said that he is advocate of strong and durable relations with Pakistan and trade of agricultural commodities could play an important role in strengthening brotherhood bond between the two nations.

Members of the Iranian Parliament speaking on this occasion expressed their pleasure on visiting Lahore and said they enjoyed Pakistani hospitality a lot. Iranian delegation is on a three-day visit to Pakistan during which they met government representatives, exporters and also visited different rice mills and allied industrial wings.

Experts call for floatingrice preservation despite low yield VietNamNet Bridge – Experts believe that restoring and developing deepwater rice needs to be done urgently to conserve genetic resources and biodiversity, and adapt to climate change.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

The average floating rice yield is just 100 kilos per 1,300 square meters, while the profits are modest, just VND500,000600,000 after six months of farming.However, scientists say the floating rice should be developed because it can help create flood storage space, ease the pressure on dykes, cope with climate change, return the habitat to a wide variety of freshwater fish, and prevent floods and salinity intrusion.

Dr. Le Cong Quyen from the An Giang University said he could see the high biodiversity in the number of plant and fish species found in deepwater rice fields.Quyen said 49 plant and 35 fish species have been recognized, including rare and valuable ones in the fields.Dang Thi Thanh Quynh from the An Giang Universityâ€&#x;s Rural Development Center said if growing alternate deepwater rice and non-rice crops (cassava, for example), farmers would get relatively high profits. Farmers can also benefit from aquatic creatures, because fish like gathering in deepwater rice fields.

Dr. Nguyen Van Kien from An Giang University said deepwater rice production generated very durable straw needed to grow plants. The straw can cover farming soil for six to seven months, while the straw from other high-yield rice varieties lasts only two or three months.Kien also believes that deepwater rice can help farmers improve their incomes. The fields could be attractive to tourists as deepwater rice is grown in the flooding season for at least a month,

attracting fish species.Trang Thi My Duyen, who is conducting a survey on tourism potential in deepwater rice areas, said 90 percent of 100 Vietnamese and foreign tourists visiting An Giang province said they had never experienced agro-tourism and 92 percent said they were willing to take tours of this kind.Ninety-one percent of the polled tourists said they would book tours to visit deepwater rice areas and taste local food.

Dr. Duong Van Chin, director of the Dinh Thanh Agriculture Research Center, an arm of the An Giang Plant Protection JSC, noted that tours can be organized in the flooding season and rice harvesting season to attract foreign travelers.“Foreign travelers will find it interesting to harvest, husk and then cook rice for their lunch,� Chin said.In Tri Ton district in Kien Giang province, a 200hectare deepwater rice conservation area is planned in 2015-2016, while local authorities hope to have a stable deepwater rice production area of 500 hectares by 2030.

Kim Chi floating rice variety, mekong delta, rice crop

Pak, Iran agriculture trade can be increased Dated: 2014-11-28 ____________________________________ ____ LAHORE: Agriculture trade between Pakistan and Iran can be increased considerably. This was stated by Dr. Farrukh Javed Minister for Agriculture Punjab during a meeting with Iranian delegation of Importers during their visit to Lahore. The Iranian delegation took keen interest in the import of rice from Pakistan. The Minister said that Pakistan and Iran are brotherly Islamic countries and both countries

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine attached high important to the agriculture trade. The Minister stated that the Pakistan is taking necessary steps to protect its agriculture produce from pest according to international standards.

The minister expressed these views at Rice Exporters Conference held at a private hotel in Lahore today. In this conference, 14 members and Iranian Council General, Agha Bani Asadi participated. Iranian delegation consisted of Parliamentarians, Rice Importers and Agriculture Experts. While addressing a conference Dr. Farrukh Javed told that a quartile set up should be installed at the boundary of Iran and Pakistan, so that quality of agriculture imports and exports should be checked. The agriculture trade could play important role in cementing relations between both the countries. The Iranian delegation expressed their keen interest in the agricultural commodities to be imported from Pakistan. The delegation met exporters of agricultural commodities and visited rice mills and other sectors of the industry.

DOJ urged to fast-track smuggling cases ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 11/28/2014 9:24 PM | Updated as of 11/28/2014 9:24 PM MANILA Bureau of Customs Commissioner John Sevilla lamented the slow resolution of smuggling-related cases that have been filed at the Department of Justice (DOJ).In an interview on Thursday, Sevilla told reporters that while he understands the complexities of the cases filed before the DOJ, he is hoping that prosecutors handling these cases would find

a way to fast-track their proceedings.Sevilla cited the case of Chronic Plastics, which took the DOJ nine months to resolve.In February, the BOC filed a case against Chronic Plastics owner Adelfa Eduardo, and Customs brokers Leonora Flores and Sherjun Saldon for the importation of hazardous waste materials from Canada.

The DOJ on Thursday released its resolution on the case which held Chronic Plastics liable for violation of Republic Act 6969, or the Act to Control Toxic Substances and Hazardous Nuclear Wastes, as well as violation of Sections 3601 and 3602 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) for the unlawful importation of the materials.Chronic Plastics will also be held liable for submitting spurious documents covering the said shipments.

"We filed the case against Chronic [last] February and now it's already November, so it took nine months. Sana naman mas mabilis sa nine months pero nasa kasama namin sa DOJ ito," de Lima said."Siyempre sa amin gusto naming mas mabilis. Huwag kalimutan hindi lang ito legal issue madami nasaktan," Sevilla added.ecords from the BOC showed that 184 smuggling-related cases have been filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ), 132 cases of which are pending preliminary investigation at the DOJ.Thirty-eight of these cases have been elevated or filed as cases before the courts.

Meanwhile, smuggling charges were also filed against seven officials of Starcraft International Trading Corporation, and 12 customs brokers, in connection with the importation of 45,000 metric tons of rice amounting to at least P1.8 billion last year without the required import permit.Charged were Starcraft president Jeffrey Daradal; board directors Eugene Pioquinto, Aveleo Godoy, Anna Orqueta, Brendel Daradal and

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Jessie Bantula; and company representative Hanlie Solema.The Customs brokers were identified as Denise Kathryn Rosaroso, John Kevin Cisneros, Emilio Chio, Eduardo Borje III, Rosemarie Arciaga, Gerarld Villarosa, Jennifer Ann Reyes, Elbert Lusterio, Dianne Re Dizon-Tapia, Laila Silvestre, Francis Rudolph Forneste and Kenneth Quial.The Starcraft officials were charged with multiple counts of violation Section 3601 of the Tarriff Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) and Section 29 of Presidential Decree No. 4, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1485, which states that only the National Food Authority can import rice and private entities who wish to do the same must secure a permit from the agency.

import rice without securing a permit following the expiration of quantitative restrictions on rice imports to the country under the World Trade Organization in 2012.However, the Philippine government stressed that under its laws only the NFA can import rice and companies intending to do the same must secure an import permit from the agency.

MAY SAGOT D'YAN | If rice production is so high, why do prices keep rising? Experts explain By: Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com November 28, 2014 8:50 AM

The respondents are facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and P50,000 fine for each count of violation of Section 3601 of the TCCP while each count of violating PD. No. 4 is levied a penalty of as much as four years imprisonment and a fine of P8,000.The charges stemmed from rice importations of Starcraft totaling over 45,000 metric tons, worth around P1.8 billion, that were shipped to Manila, Cebu and Davao from Vietnam, Thailand, China and Singapore between from June to November 2013.The BOC noted that based on the NFA records, the company was only allowed to import 1,176 metric tons through Manila."This means that the company exceeded its minimum access volume from NFA by over 3,700 percent," Sevilla said.It can be recalled that most of Starcraft's rice imports were seized by the BOC by virtue of alert orders issued for lack of the required permits from the NFA. The company, however, questioned the legality of the seizure of their shipments before the court, insisting that rice importers can

InterAksyon.com means BUSINESS

MANILA, Philippines -- Since the Department of Agriculture launched the Food Staple Sufficiency Program to boost local rice production to meet 100 percent of domestic requirements by 2013, the country‟s rice self-sufficiency has risen from 88 percent in 2011 to 93 percent this year, according to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).Yet, despite this, prices have still surged from P32 per kilo in 2012 to P43 this month even with international prices of rice remaining “relatively stable,” and a slight decrease in per capita rice consumption -- from 119 kilos in 2008-2009 to 114 kilos in 2012 -- according to PhilRice.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine There are reasons for this, which researchers and academics from PhilRice and the University of the Philippines Los Baños enumerated at a forum organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology at the La Breza Hotel in Quezon City Thursday.Rice is the staple food of 80 percent of the 100 million Filipinos, according to a study done by UP Los Baños College of Economics and Management dean Dr. Isabelita Pabuayon and associate professor Dr. Agham Cuevas. The Philippines‟ consumption per person per year is lower than other countries in Southeast Asia (228 kilos for Myanmar, 215 kilos for Vietnam, and 140 kilos for Thailand), but higher than the global average of 65 kilos.

Here, rice is used for food, animal feed, and processing.The grain is grown by 2.4 million farmers on average farm sizes of 1.14 hectares, earning a net farm income of P22,000 per hectare per cropping season.Middlemen between the farmers and the consumers incur marketing costs, as they take care of transportation, storage, processing, packaging, and retailing, among others. These costs, added to the profit they need to make, affect prices, Pabuayon said.The Philippines also imports rice, though this has decreased over the past three years -- from one million metric tons in 2011 to 365,000 metric tons in 2013. This year, however, the country was forced to import 1.4 million metric tons, she said.Global rice prices increase at about four percent annually.

In 2008, during the rice crisis triggered by demand rising faster than the supply, global rice prices hit $700 per metric ton, finally settling at $523 in 2010-2014, Pabuayon said.High income growth and increasing population affected demand, while weather disturbances and dwindling stocks affected supply, in 2008. The price increase was also

tied to increased prices of wheat, corn, and oil. But the more influential factor, she said, was government policy among key players like the Philippines, which is among the top ten importers and producers in the world.In 2008, a panic-stricken Philippine government agreed to pay higher than the prevailing world prices and contracted huge amounts for import. In turn, suppliers decreased the volume they brought to the world market, leading to an even bigger increase in prices.

Pabuayon doubted that current global prices can be lowered to pre-12008 levels, which hovered around $300 per metric ton from 1980 to 2007.In the Philippines, where rice prices are around 50 percent higher than world prices, there has been a six percent increase in rice prices annually from 1990 to last year.Pabuayon said there is a link between Philippine prices and the stocks kept by the National Food Authority (NFA). “(W)e probably did not import sufficient amounts to enable us to maintain our price level,” she said, noting that NFA stocks have been declining since August 2011.PhilRice senior rice research specialist Dr. Flordeliza Bordey explained that the stocks NFA maintains can be used two ways: as a buffer stock the government can give out as aid during calamities, and as an instrument to stabilize rice prices when the threat of increases looms.Used for the latter purpose, it prevents the private sector from arbitrarily jacking up rice prices because the NFA will be ready to unload its stocks into the market as soon as prices get too high.

The greater the stocks held by the government, the more stable the prices, said Bordey.A government inter-agency planning committee makes sure the country has enough rice to last through the lean months from July to September. The committee then recommends a certain volume of imports to the NFA just in case there is a

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine shortfall.However, this recommendation is not always heeded, noted Bordey. In July last year, for example, the imported stocks were just good for 20 days instead of three months.

When the number of days the stocks last decrease, it is no surprise that rice prices increase, she said. The Food Staple Sufficiency Program prescribes a certain amount to be imported should a shortfall occur, but the government imported less than what was required because of the “political nature of importation,” according to Bordey.“Every time NFA announces that it will be importing, it seems to be seen as the end of the world. People complain, „Can‟t we feed our citizens ourselves?‟ It is as though importing rice is such a grave sin,” she said.The issue became even more charged when President Benigno Aquino III declared rice sufficiency as one of his major policy directions.

“We cannot really target self-sufficiency and low prices at the same time. You have to choose one (or the other). The key to this balancing act is the priorities really of our government. Right now it seems we are at the self-sufficient but high-price phase,” Bordey remarked. PhilRice executive director Eufemio Rasco cautioned against importing, however, given that in essence, the Philippines was importing labor as well, despite the unemployment in the country itself.He also countered the popular belief that the Philippines was “kulelat” (doing badly) compared to its rice-producing neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam.“If we are so good, why are we importing? The answer is in mathematics. ”Thailand and Vietnam have larger areas of land for cultivation and smaller populations, and have river deltas that serve as natural irrigation.The archipelagic nature of the Philippines, weather, transportation, and infrastructure are other factors.“It‟s a

miracle that we achieved 96 percent rice sufficiency,” Rasco said, referring to the number Pabuayon gave for last year‟s performance.“We are good, but they have natural endowments we don‟t,” he added.Rasco also stressed that the issue really revolved around the rice farmers.Even in the best of times, they do not earn enough. Alternative sources of income for them should be looked into, he said. http://www.interaksyon.com/business/1000 90/may-sagot-dyan--if-rice-production-isso-high-why-do-prices-keep-rising-expertsexplain

Kakinada anchorage port to become rice export hub K. N. MURALI SANKARGovernment has changed the levy policy, providing opportunity to improve exports. East Godavari district alone produces 20-25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy every year and the West Godavari contributes more or less an equal quantum.

The Anchorage Port in Kakinada has the potential to become rice export zone, provided the government focuses on developing infrastructure and facilities in the port, besides relaxing some norms pertaining to the exports.As the East and West Godavari districts are known for paddy procurement and record yields every year, the surplus paddy is being exported to foreign countries through the anchorage port.

Following the lifting of ban on rice exports in September 2011, there is a steady increase in rice exports and the exporters are focusing more on the African countries.In 2012-13, 26.73 lakh metric tonnes of rice

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine had been exported from the port. However, the year 2013-14 witnessed a drop in the export activity due to Samaikyandhra movement that lasted for over three months.

The exports were to the tune of 22.67 lakh metric tonnes during the year.

Now, the government has changed the levy policy, providing an opportunity to improve the exports. Till the last crop season, the rice millers used to allocate 75 per cent of the rice purchased to the government towards the levy and sell the remaining 25 per cent in the open market that includes the exporters.

As per the revised policy, the levy is only 25 per cent and the remaining 75 per cent of the stocks can be sold in the open market. “This policy is going to be a boon for rice exports over a period of time. Moreover, it is going to be a win-win for both the farmer and the miller,” observes B.V. Krishna Rao, managing director of Pattabhi Agro Foods, one of the largest exporters of non-Basmathi rice from southern India.East Godavari district alone produces 20-25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy every year and the West Godavari contributes more or less an equal quantum.

Till now, the farmers are used to cultivate levy-oriented varieties such as „Common‟ and „Grade A‟ and the millers too encouraged the same, as they can clear a major chunk of stocks towards the levy.

“Now, the farmers can focus on cultivating superfine variety of rice, which has a greater demand in the European market. By opting for these varieties, the farmers can earn more without increasing the investment and the millers and exporters too can get their margins,” explains Mr. Krishna Rao.Echoing similar opinion, progressive farmer Kovvuri Trinadh Reddy says the government should come out with a clear

policy on the levy and create awareness among farmers about the new cultivable varieties. “The farmer will get benefited only when the government ensures hasslefree export of rice,” he says.

Keywords: Kakinada Port, Rice Exports, Hub for activity, http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/kakinadaanchorage-port-to-become-rice-export-hub/article6640655.ece

Telangana decentralises levy rice procurement K V KURMANATH HYDERABAD, NOVEMBER 28: The Telangana Government has decentralised procurement of levy rice in the nine districts of the State (excluding Hyderabad). This helps save a lot of money spent on transportation of the commodity from FCI facilities to the Civil Supplies offices and then to the fair price shops.This will also help the consumers in a particular district to get the rice produced in that district under the Public Distribution System.

The move was initiated during the unified Andhra Pradesh in the financial year 201213 when the Government decentralised the procurement in three districts of Karimnagar, Nalgonda and Warangal. It later added Medak to the list.“We have taken a decision for the current financial year to add the remaining five districts of Mahbubnagar, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Khammam and Rangareddy,” C Partha Sarathi, Commissioner (Civil Supplies) and Ex-Officio Secretary to Government, said here in a statement on Friday.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Under the decentralised procurement, the entire raw rice will be sold by the rice millers to the State Civil Supplies Corporation under mill levy (the mandatory sale to the government). In addition, the Department would mill the paddy procured by it directly from the farmers in the respective districts.The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will procure boiled rice under levy for PDS deliveries in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

sliced spring onion, to garnish 1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok over high heat. Fry spring onion for 1 minute or until soft. Add remaining oil, garlic, half of the chilli, garlic salt and sauces and cook for further minute. Add the shrimp and stir through. Add eggs and stir quickly to scramble then add rice and toss well to incorporate ingredients.

3. Serve garnished with remaining chilli and spring onion.

(This article was published on November 28, 2014)

MASTER CHEFF AUSTRALIA

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/telangan a-centralises-levy-rice-procurement/article6643713.ece

Honrr rice Ep 4 - Egg and Shrimp Fried Rice P 4 Georgia Hughes Egg and Shrimp Fried Rice Serves 4

3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 spring onions, finely sliced 2 garlic cloves 1 long red chilli, finely chopped 2 teaspoons garlic salt 3 teaspoons abalone sauce 1/3 cup soy sauce 2/3 cup shrimp 2 eggs 4 cups cooked basmati rice

By Ober Khok Friday, November 28, 2014 BOILED rice is the most important item on the table. Without rice, a meal is incomplete and the stomach doesn‟t seem to feel full.

Cebuanos have a phrase for that: “Nangita gyod og kan-on.”

Not surprisingly, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Cebu City recently held a rice-cooking contest, obviously with rice as the basic ingredient prepared in various ways. This was to mark November as the Rice Awareness Month, belatedly I learned, from GMA-7‟s morning show Buena Mano Balita.

The news on GMA-7 did not explain the details about the celebration, but maybe what people have to know about rice is that it should not be wasted. I‟ve been to many town fiestas where people scoop mounds of

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine rice into their plate, only to eat only half of it.

Another thing to know about rice is that it has a lot of varieties coming from the Philippines as well as from other countries.

Arborio rice is synonymous with Italy.

Japan grows koshihikari while India produces basmati. Cambodia (bonla pdao), Indonesia (rajalele) and Africa (ofada) grow rice closely linked to its nation.

Our country has a lot of varieties from dinorado, sampaguita to wagwag and the ever-popular dessert rice, the pilit or malagkit. The country also has heirloom rice, which is grown by the Ifugaos. The chong-ak, a rust red rice planted starting December to February, is very special. It is served during weddings and family reunions. The Ifugao ominio rice looks black, but it is really deep purple and can be used to replace pilit when making rice cakes.

So it honors rice when people view it as gold. When you think about the hard work that goes into growing a field of rice, you begin to see why it needs better treatment.

At least in the Philippines, much of the technology is still manual, with the old carabao pulling the plow pushed by a farmer who is ankle-deep in muddy black earth.

Add the scorching sun and you have a picture of hard labor for little incom.

Since I‟m basing what I‟m saying on stock knowledge, you don‟t have to believe me 100 percent. But do join me in giving DA a pat on the back for setting aside the eleventh month for rice.

At this eleventh hour, let me share an appetizer that uses rice flour and cucumbers.

The recipe for the steamed stuffed cucumber is from “Asian Dishes,” a 63-page cookbook that not only has many recipes for vegetables and meatless dishes, but also explains spices, sauces and rice.

Ingredients: 500 g cucumbers; 375 g canned water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped; 2 1/2 tbsp glutinous rice flour; sesame oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 1 small carrot, peeled and finely diced; 4 black dried mushrooms, soaked, drained and finely chopped; 3/4 cup water; and 1 1/2 tsp cornflour. Adjust seasoning to taste if you like.

Procedure: Thinly peel cucumbers and cut into one centimeter thick slices. Scoop out seeds with a teaspoon leaving a base layer.

Place cucumber shells in boiling water for one minute. Rinse in cold water, drain and dust inside with a little cornflour.

In a bowl, place finely diced water chestnuts, glutinous rice flour, sesame oil and half the salt and sugar. Add carrot and mushrooms and mix well. Pile high into the cucumber circles. Place circles on a plate and set on steaming rack over hot water in a wok. Cover and steam for 15 to 20 minutes.

Place a drop of sesame oil, the remaining salt and sugar and the water into a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Blend the cornflour with a little water, add to the saucepan and stir until liquid boils and thickens. Cool to warm. Spoon over each steamed cucumber ring to glaze. Allow to cool. Serve at room temperature.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Before making a big batch, make a test sample first because this finger food has an unusual taste. You can tweak the elements, for example replacing half of the required flour with boiled glutinous rice. That‟s the magic of cooking. The more you experiment, the more you find ways to make the raw ingredients taste better.

elements of this diverse dish at Taj Biryani House to offer his interpretation of the what makes a good briyani meal.Iqbal, who is from Slim River, Perak, said his deep affection for the dish is rooted back to his childhood.

“When I was about seven years old, my late

Source :Sira-sira Store

father used to take me to Bilal or Kassim restaurant in Jalan Masjid India in Kuala

Taj Biryani puts love in every grain of rice

Lumpur for briyani. He would drive all the

BY MELIZARANI T. SELVA

am able to travel to Qatar, Dubai and

way from Perak just to eat briyani.“Now I various parts of India to try their briyani whether it is in the Middle Eastern, North Indian or South Indian style, I will mark these travel destinations just to sample the briyani.”

Iqbal, a former food and beverage manager at a hotel, decided to channel his experience and expertise into his long-time dream of

Briyani connoisseur only uses ingredients and cooking utensils from India for the dish.

starting a briyani restaurant.“I finally found a cook who makes it just right during my

GOING in search of good briyani and trying

trip to Hyderabad, last year. “Unlike the

to find the best in town can be quite

Middle Eastern version or the Calcutta

challenging.

version of briyani, the Hyderabadi dum style has gravy and is not dry which is how most Fortunat

Malaysians enjoy their rice,” said Iqbal.

ely, briyani

Under the culinary expertise of briyani

connoiss

specialist

eur and

specialist Pavan Singh from Delhi and South

restaurat

Indian curry specialist Muthukrishnan, Taj

eur Iqbal Gani has brought together the best

Biryani House serves 50 dishes, including

Rehman

Sharieff,

tandoor

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine the signature Hyderabadi Dum Biryani in

cubes of chicken

four styles — chicken, mutton, fish and

cooked

prawn.Iqbal‟s love for the rice dish is clearly

in cashewnut

evident in every spoon of the mutton

gravy.The

briyani, made from the finest quality long

interesting tandoor

grain basmati rice and succulent mutton

dish has to be the

cubes.

baked salmon cubes in a dish called Machili

Taj Biryani's Machili Cashew Tikka is a dish of clay oven skewers of baked salmon cubes. - Photos P. NATHAN/The Star (From left) Biryani specialist Rehman Sharieff, tandoor specialist Pavan Singh and South

most

Indian

curry

specialist

Muthukrishnan.

Cashew Tikka, with tender meat skewers atop a salad accompaniment.

Vegetarian kebabs tandoor broccoli and cauliflower (front) and reshmi kebab chicken cashew skewers (back).

Vegetarians will not feel left out from the generous tandoor menu with vegetarian

Mutton biryani, made in the Hyderabadi style with cubes of succulent mutton pieces.Garnished with raisins, the curried briyani rice is an explosion of flavours, making the chicken in the dish an equal star of the spread.“Although, it can be quite costly, I do not compromise on quality. I have made sure that all the cooking utensils and ingredients are imported from India,” Iqbal said, addin

kebabs or skewers of spiced broccoli and

g that the tandoor clay oven and dum briyani

TAJ BIRYANI HOUSE, B-09-01, Jalan

pot were also specially chosen by the cooks

19/1, Section 19, 3 Two Square, Petaling

to ensure the dishes were cooked to

Jaya. (Tel: 03-7932 2525). Business hours:

perfection.Some of the North Indian courses

7am to 10pm, daily.

that are sure to excite the taste buds are the

This is the writer’s personal observation

clay oven baked chicken skewers or Murgh

and is not an endorsement by StarMetro

cauliflower, which complements the roti and Dal

Tadka

(yellow

lentils

curry).The

restaurant‟s Gajar ka Halwa, a pudding made from finely grated carrots cooked in condensed

milk

and

seasoned

with

cardamom, is a great way to end your meal.The Petaling Jaya restaurant is the first branch in Malaysia with two other eateries in Kuala Belait, Brunei and Usman Road, Chennai.

Tandoor while Reshmi Kebab is boneless

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