Luqmi | Lukhmi is much loved party appetizer, street food, wedding food and iftar snack from the land of Nizams and Pearls, Hyderabad. Luqmi is a typical odd shaped savory samosa, where the outer covering is made of all purpose flour and the stuffing is made with spicy and savory mince (lamb | goat) meat.
Glimpse of Hyderabad Wedding
Years back I still remember when I was in school, I happened to attend a Hyderabadi wedding…which happened to be my mom’s cousins….my mama’s….and it was for the first time I am attending a Hyderabadi wedding…I was very much excited and I can see my mom more exited than me to attend four day wedding fare….meeting all her cousins, friends and relatives….though we had attended Hyderabadi weddings before….this one is special because we are going to stay there for four days all for Mehendi , Haldi, Shaadi (Wedding) and Valima (Reception). Mehendi and Haldi are much like Sangeet in North Indian weddings…Pre wedding ceremony….mehendi, henna – Indian Tattoo is applied on bridal hands and feet and also applied by all the relatives present at home by each other or by trained tattoo designers…In Haldi, scented turmeric paste is applied on bride’s and groom’s face, hands and feet for the glow….though these are small rituals, when celebrated with family and friends they turn out to be huge celebrations….In the end weddings are all about Fun, Food, Family and Friends….togetherness, love and bonding….
COLLAGE COURTESY: PINTEREST
Hyderabadi Wedding Food
Hyderabadi weddings are known for its bling, glitz and lavish food. Custom made zardossi dresses, stone studded bangles, pearl jewelry, beautiful decor, never ending rich and royal dishes. The richness of the royal Nizams is still seen in the Muslim weddings of Hyderabad. This was the first time I am going to indulge in a five course lavish wedding meal and most of these names were new to me
From the fading memories all I could recall are luqmi, shimakpuri kabab, fish cutlets, sheermal, rumali roti, dum ka murgh, kache ghost ke biryani, mirchi ka salan, dahi ki chuntey, falooda, gil-e-firdaus (a bottle gourd dessert), qubani ka meetha (dessert with apricots) and double ka meetha. Hmm…I think I am missing some names here but right now these are I could recall. Everything tasted just wonderful. In the end came silver leaf draped paan (beetle leaf stuffed with saunf, gulkand, coconut, fruit preserve etc.,). The paan was like cherry on top. I bet if you have food at any of the Hyderabadi Muslim wedding you will never forget the taste and hospitality of the people.
Ramadan at Mom’s House
After many years….I celebrated Ramadan at my mom’s place….whole through the fasting period I was at mom’s place…..My mom loves making many different Iftaar recipes and we love devouring them. Going through the memory lane and was talking about weddings one fine day, I got struck with food menu and luqmi kept on coming to my mind….I asked my mom whether she could make it for the readers of my blog….with no delay she said ‘YES’….
What is Luqmi | Lukhmi?
Luqmi is a typical odd shaped samosa, mostly served as a starter in Hyderabad Weddings. Spicy and tangy minced meat (qeemaa | kheema | keema) filling is covered in soft and chewy outer cover which is made by combining all purpose flour, whole wheat flour and semolina. The filling has got everything that Indian taste buds crave for…it is simple, spicy, tangy and yummy. The outer cover is crisp, soft and chewy. We relished these hot luqmi’s with sliced onions, and lemon wedges along with dates and refreshing sharbat-e-roohafza.
I had guest posted this Luqmi recipe during Ramadan on Yvonne’s My Halal Kitchen and now re-posting it on my blog for you all lovely people visiting this space….
Luqmi | Lukhmi Recipe
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INGREDIENTS:
FOR FILLING:
- ¼ kg. Keema | Minced lamb (goat) meat
- 1 Onion, finely sliced
- ½ tbsp. Ginger-Garlic paste
- 1 tbsp. Red Chili powder
- ¼ tbsp. Turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp. Lemon juice
- 1 Green chili, finely chopped
- Salt, as per taste
- 2 tbsp. Coriander leaves, finely chopped
- Oil
FOR LUQMI:
- 1 cup All-purpose Flour | Maida + ½ cup for dusting
- 1 tbsp. whole Wheat flour
- 3 tbsp. fine Semolina
- Salt
- 1 tbsp. vegetable Oil
- Water
How to make Luqmi at home
Preparing Chicken Filling for Luqmi
- Mix keema with ginger-garlic paste, chopped green chili red chili powder, turmeric powder and salt. Leave for ½ hour covering with cling.
- Heat oil in a pan and fry onions. When onions turn translucent, add the above marinated keema and fry for 2-3 minutes on a high flame.
- Cook on low flame by covering the pan with a lid. Stir in between and cook till keema is completely soft and tender. Remove from flame and add chopped coriander leaves. Set aside.
- Add lemon juice just to this mixture just before you start filling.
How to prepare outer crust for Luqmi
- In a mixing bowl, add all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, semolina, salt and oil. Knead to form a soft dough by adding water.
- Cover with cling and leave for 30 minutes. Before you start to make luqmi, knead the dough for 5 minutes.
- Pinch a lemon size ball from the dough and roll into thin circle by dusting with flour.
- Now using sharp kitchen knife make 2-3 cuts (as shown in the picture above) and start to add filling.
- Grease the corner of the luqmi by wetting your forefinger.
- Bring the ends together (as shown in the picture above). This gives you a nice triangle. You can alternatively cut the luqmi into squares too. Gently press the edges of the luqmi with your fingers.
- Heat enough oil for deep frying in a heavy bottom cooking vessel and slowly drop down the luqmi’s one after the other.
- Fry on low flame by turning on all sides till luqmi turn golden brown on all sides. Carefully remove on wire mesh strainer or kitchen tissue. Serve hot.
- Add love to make this ‘luqmi’ taste ‘YUMMY’.
Tips to make Perfect Luqmi
- Alternatively you can crimp the edges of luqmi with fork.
- You can even knead the dough with luke warm milk.
- You can even make the minced meat filling ahead and store in the freezer in a zip lock bag.
- Whenever you are using the filling, just thaw the stuffing in microwave or by leaving it on kitchen counter for 1-2 hours.
For Vegetarian | Vegan Version of Luqmi:
You can substitute minced meat with ‘soya keema’, which give the recipe a tasty vegan touch. Cooking process for soya keema is same as above….
Sebeena Loyd says
delicious
Rafeeda AR says
we also make something similar… the luqmi looks absolutely delicious… the description of the hydrebadi wedding makes it sound really exciting… 🙂
Sapana Behl says
I would love to make it with soya keema ! lovely post …
Priti S says
Looks just yum with lovely pics Lubna
Veena Theagarajan says
nice pics.. lovely luqmi recipe Lubna
Jehanne says
i love your narration on the weddings, can imagine how festive it must be! Your mom's cooking is delicious Lubna.
lubna says
Yum yum…was looking for luqmi recipe since long time. Will make it soon and let you know.Lubna
srikars kitchen says
nice clicks…delicious..
Vimitha Anand says
Looks so yum. will try soon
Hamaree Rasoi says
Simply yummy and mouthwatering luqmi. Also thanks for posting the vibrant pics of weddings.Deepa
Shama Nagarajan says
yummy yummy….
divya says
looks absolutely delicious… nice clicks..
Hasna Hamza Layin says
nd v call ths ada.. those hyderabadi wedding menu made me drool nd wanted to try all those yummyy dishes…especially the desserts!! love double ka meetha alwaysOngoing Event-Back 2 School
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I've never heard of luqmi before, but it does look delicious 🙂
CHITRA says
Loved reading the write up..Will try with soya kheema 🙂 looks yum
Priya Suresh says
Am missing our Indian weddings here, wat a virtual and eye pleasing clicks..Luqmi looks wonderful, an addictive snacks..
Familycook says
The bride looks gorgeous Lubna and the luqmis perfect!
Preetha Soumyan says
Hi this is the first time i came across your blog.. looks filled with delicious recipes.. and though i haven't heard about this dish…. we also have a similar snack in Kerala named' kozhiyada'..
Ambreen (Simply Sweet n Savory) says
Beautiful writeup and delicious looking snack!
Ruxana Gafoor says
beautiful post with those lovely clicks and a yummy snack 🙂
Monisha Walia says
Photos are awesome.