Hyderabad, Jan. 6 -- It is no surprise that food is more than sustenance in Hyderabad; it is more like a celebration of flavors, culture, and history. And at the heart of this celebration lies Dum Pukht, a cooking technique that is synonymous with the city's most revered dishes. From the fragrant flavors of biryani to the richness of dum ka kheema, this age-old technique is what sets apart the Hyderabadi food experience.

Sealing a heavy-bottomed pot with dough and allowing the ingredients to cook in their own steam might sound simple, but the result is a real masterpiece. In fact, even vegetarian delights like bagara baingan owe their flavors and tender textures to this meticulous process.

More than just a method, dum pukht reflects Hyd...