A bit of a do.

If you're organising a bash (which there are a bloody lot of) over here, whether it be a wedding or a 'puberty function' (bad luck kids); you can either provide the food yourself or, more likely, get a caterer in. Whatever you decide, there is only ever going to be one thing on the menu: Biryani.

It is an item on an English curry house menu that I would certainly treat with respect, maybe even a little bit of admiration, but I am unlikely to order it. Bear in mind I am as indecisive as Eddie Howe (bitter football fan alert) so my selection technique is basically lucky dip. In the south of India, Biryani is revered as the king of rice dishes. Placed on a pedestal high above rice dishes with a mere 1 or 2 vegetables in it, Biryani is the stock favourite food of almost every Indian i've asked.

e.g. (anonymous conversation)
AJ: "What's your favourite food?"
Indian Child: "Ah, Biryani!!!"

In England, when we're talking about having spent a figure of money, some people may try to work out how many pints they could have got for that price. When I was bellyaching to Joel about how the lovely people at Halifax are taking away 400 rupees (almost £6) every time I get cash out, he quipped "oh my, you could buy Biryani for a week with that!". And he was right. With enough spare change left in your back pocket to buy a second Biryani on the 7th day. Thank you very much Howard Brown.

p.s. It is, it has to be said, a far nicer dish over here than when served in England.