Lucknow Chicken Korma

WHAT a surprise the Indian city of Lucknow was.

Even though it is famous for its Awadhi food, sophisticated culture, gastronomic etiquette and Chickan embroidery, it’s not really on the main tourist trail despite its fascinating history and memorable monuments. We spent three days there and loved it. The city was founded by the Nawads who came from Persia at the invitation of the Mogul king Mohammed Shah in 1725.

I only knew one person in Lucknow, a lady called Vijay Khan whom I’d met briefly in Udaipur a couple of years ago and had promised to visit if I ever came to that city. She’d invited us to dinner at her home and a trip to their house in the country the following day. Well, it turns out that she is the wife of the Raja of Mahmudabad no less.