Haleem; that elusive dish that makes a much decorated appearance every year only during Ramzan time. Well, after seeing all the posts about Pista House haleem, I had had enough of wondering how their product tasted like so I set out to buy a pack of it. I decided to try out the dish from a few places including Pista house to make a comparison. There will be another part to this series soon.
It was mentioned in an older poster ad that they were making and distributing haleem from Al Malick wedding hall in Triplicane opposite Walajah big mosque. But when I arrived there the watchman told me they have shifted this year to MS Mahal, which is near Amir Mahal, Royapettah. So off I went to get there on time before it ran out. They also sell from 8 other locations in Chennai.
While going over to MS Mahal, I had to cross the Walajah big mosque so decided to enquire about the haleem being sold there as well. It didn't look like there was any sales going on but on the left you will find a banner advertising Haleem Express right at the entrance to the big mosque.
Pista House was much more recognizable with a huge banner across it. Can't be missed.
The Haleem express product was packed in a normal microwave safe container with transparent top. Cost was only 60 bucks.
Pista house haleem's packing looked solid with the sealed container. But some of the oil/ghee had seeped out into the plastic bag when I reached home, so take care to handle it carefully. It is not leak proof.
HE has mutton samosas which are available in the nearby shops around the Mosque.
On enquiring, Pista house haleem is made in Chennai but the staff and materials have been brought in from Hyderabad! Whereas HE haleem is apparently made in house completely.
Got home as soon as I could. Opened both up with the intention of tasting both of them and checking how it compared.
Color: Pista house haleem is brownish green almost a khaki color with plenty of ghee/oil floating while Haleem express was just lighter yellowish green in color.
Pista House (PH) haleem's texture and look was perfect. Looked really gooey and rich. But there was no fried onions. Instead there was coriander leaves which went well with it. Haleem express' (HE) was more lumpy and nor perfect by any means. It was much less ghee laden than Pista house and had far lesser mutton. There were whole spices in PH like a whole cinnamon stick. And of course, the bones they are famous for including! Got two bones and some bone fragments. HE haleem was a bit porridgy and the top had become a bit solid after a while (got dry) but there were no bones. I am not against bones in haleem if it enhances taste.
Tastewise, Pista House was slightly bland with the flavor of mutton being strong. Occasionally there was more spice taste coming through near the spice bits. HE's had a nice spice flavor to it but the lack of much mutton and poor texture sort of ruined it. However, for the price of just rs 60 it is a decent choice if you're new to haleem. Regarding Pista House, I did not feel its spicing was perfect, personal opinion of course. I would have preferred bit more flavor and spice in it but for the texture n' meat alone you can give it a try. You may very well love it.
Location
It was mentioned in an older poster ad that they were making and distributing haleem from Al Malick wedding hall in Triplicane opposite Walajah big mosque. But when I arrived there the watchman told me they have shifted this year to MS Mahal, which is near Amir Mahal, Royapettah. So off I went to get there on time before it ran out. They also sell from 8 other locations in Chennai.
While going over to MS Mahal, I had to cross the Walajah big mosque so decided to enquire about the haleem being sold there as well. It didn't look like there was any sales going on but on the left you will find a banner advertising Haleem Express right at the entrance to the big mosque.
Haleem express at the entrance to Big Mosque
Pista House was much more recognizable with a huge banner across it. Can't be missed.
Haleem is prepared right here at Triplicane for Pista house!
Packing
Pista house haleem's packing looked solid with the sealed container. But some of the oil/ghee had seeped out into the plastic bag when I reached home, so take care to handle it carefully. It is not leak proof.
Extras available
Pista house also sells individual packs (400 ml) for rs 160 and family packs for rs 750 if I'm not mistaken. There is also small packs of Kubaani ka meeta (made from apricots) and Double ka meeta (a bread pudding soaked in spiced milk) being sold there for 40 bucks each. Since, I hadn't tried Double ka meeta before got a packet of that along with the individual haleem pack. Total cost: 200 bucks.HE has mutton samosas which are available in the nearby shops around the Mosque.
Making
On enquiring, Pista house haleem is made in Chennai but the staff and materials have been brought in from Hyderabad! Whereas HE haleem is apparently made in house completely.
Opening it up!
Double ka meetha - 40 bucks in a small Dabba - tasted nice, mostly sugary tasting with bread. Very oily feel though. Can't complain.
Got home as soon as I could. Opened both up with the intention of tasting both of them and checking how it compared.
Color: Pista house haleem is brownish green almost a khaki color with plenty of ghee/oil floating while Haleem express was just lighter yellowish green in color.
Texture:
This is probably the crucial part of a good haleem. I'm far from an expert on this since I've had haleem only from five places till now. But in my personal view, the best tasting haleem is quite viscous and there are no visible lumps on the surface when a spoonful is spread. This means everything is really cooked through and smashed to oblivion! Also, a spoonful of it will feel neither liquid nor solid and although it looks like porridge won't feel like any other dish you've eaten. The strands of mutton give it a wholly different mouthfeel. Have I confused you enough? :D
Both of em side by side. The infamous bones in PH. I feel they need to put a disclaimer that it contains bone/bone fragments for safety.
Pista House (PH) haleem's texture and look was perfect. Looked really gooey and rich. But there was no fried onions. Instead there was coriander leaves which went well with it. Haleem express' (HE) was more lumpy and nor perfect by any means. It was much less ghee laden than Pista house and had far lesser mutton. There were whole spices in PH like a whole cinnamon stick. And of course, the bones they are famous for including! Got two bones and some bone fragments. HE haleem was a bit porridgy and the top had become a bit solid after a while (got dry) but there were no bones. I am not against bones in haleem if it enhances taste.
Tastewise, Pista House was slightly bland with the flavor of mutton being strong. Occasionally there was more spice taste coming through near the spice bits. HE's had a nice spice flavor to it but the lack of much mutton and poor texture sort of ruined it. However, for the price of just rs 60 it is a decent choice if you're new to haleem. Regarding Pista House, I did not feel its spicing was perfect, personal opinion of course. I would have preferred bit more flavor and spice in it but for the texture n' meat alone you can give it a try. You may very well love it.
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