A breakfast to warm winter in Kashmir
| Srinagar, Kashmir
鈥� A local, slice-of-life story from a Monitor correspondent.
As the car winds through the old city, I worry that I鈥檒l miss breakfast. Harissa, Kashmir鈥檚 winter delicacy, is for early risers. The pur茅ed lamb with rice and spices is only served in a few areas of the city and usually only until 7 a.m. Thankfully, Kaka鈥檚 Caf茅 and House of Breakfast is still open.
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Manzoor Ahmed, the owner, says his family has been running the tiny restaurant for more than 600 years. Now considered a master, Mr. Ahmed has spent three decades catering to his early-morning customers. Sitting on a stone platform, he reaches chest deep into a huge clay pot in the floor where the lamb has been cooking for hours. His grease-stained hand scoops out a steaming helping of harissa with a silver ladle.
It doesn鈥檛 look appetizing, but the aroma is enticing and the taste amazing. Locals say it鈥檚 perfect for frigid winter mornings. I find it to be true, too.
