Interesting Story of Tunday Kebab !

There is a story behind origin of every dishes. Here is an interesting story behind the famous Lucknow dish, Tunday kebab.

Not sure about the authenticity of this story , however, it is related to Nawab of Oudh. Tunday Kebab was originated in 17th century.The then Nawab was old and started losing his tooth as age caught up with him. So he was not able to have his favorite dishes.That made the foodie Nawab very much sad he was not able to enjoy his favorite Kebabs.

That time, Kebabs were not so soft as we get now. So it was really hard for him to chew the Kebabs in those days. He tried a lot to chew with his toothless gum. However, he was not willing to give up on his favorite food.Brave Nawab found an idea! He decided to conduct a cooking contest.

As he was an expert in food, he was very careful about each and every ingredients in the dishes. He finds immediately, if there any small difference in the smell or texture of each dish. So he informed everyone that he will be the judge for this contest.This was the proclamation : Whoever is able to make soft Kebab that he would be able to enjoy without compromising its flavors, would get the royal patronage henceforth!

Thus, chefs from different parts of the country reached to participate in the contest. Finally, Chef Haji Murad Ali was the only one who won the contest. He minced meat and made it so soft that it melted in the mouth without chewing. Nawab enjoyed the Kebab and announced Haji Murad Ali as winner. That's how Tunday Kabab was originated.

Chef Ali lost one of his arms after he fell of the roof. Nawab used Ali's this disability to name the dish. Tunde is an urdu word meaning "without an arm", hence the name Tunday Kabab.

At the end of 17th Century Haji Murat Ali started a shop to sell Tunday Kababs.About 160 spices and condiments were used to prepare this Kabab.The recipe is a family secret and is passed to their next generations.