View source for Sheermal

{{Short description|Saffron-flavoured traditional flatbread}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name             =  Sheermal
| image            =  Sheermal_bread_made_in_Iran.jpg
| caption          =  Sheermal served in Iran
| alternate_name   =  Shirmal
| country          =[[Iran]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Afghanistan]]
| region            = [[Iran]], [[Indian subcontinent]]
| creator          = 
| course           = 
| served           = 
| main_ingredient  = [[Maida flour|Maida]], [[Milk]], [[Ghee]], [[Saffron]]
| variations       = 
| calories         = 
| other            = 
}}
'''Sheermal''' ([[Persian language|Persian]]/[[Urdu]]: {{nq|شیرمال}}, {{langx|hi|शीरमल}},:, also spelled '''shirmal''', is a [[saffron]]-flavored traditional [[flatbread]] eaten in [[Iran]] and the [[Indian subcontinent]]. The word sheermal is derived from the Persian words شیر ([[transliterated|translit.]] sheer, Sanskrit Kshir) meaning milk, and مالیدن ([[transliterated|translit.]] malidan) meaning to rub or to knead. In a literal translation, sheermal means milk-rubbed. It was introduced to [[North India]] by the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperors during the [[medieval India|medieval period]]. It became a delicacy of [[Awadhi cuisine|Lucknow]], [[Hyderabadi cuisine|Hyderabad]] and [[Hyderabadi cuisine|Aurangabad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/29/stories/2003052900410300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023041532/http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/29/stories/2003052900410300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 October 2010|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=A nawabi affair|access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref> It is also part of the [[Awadhi cuisine]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/07/21/stories/2007072152370400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105230624/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/07/21/stories/2007072152370400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=A slice of the Awadh exotica|access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref> and is enjoyed in [[Bhopal]] and [[Pakistan]].

==Preparation==
[[File:Sheermal Lucknow.JPG|thumb|left|Sheermal served at [[Lucknow]], India.]]
Shirmal is a mildly sweet [[naan]] made out of [[maida flour|maida]], leavened with yeast and baked in a [[tandoor]] or oven. Shirmal was traditionally made like [[roti]]. Today, shirmal is prepared like naan. The warm water in the recipe for [[naan]] roti was replaced with warm [[milk]] sweetened with [[sugar]] and flavored with [[saffron]] and [[cardamom]]. 

In Iran, there are slight regional variations in the preparation of sheermal. As such, it is sometimes sold as a souvenir when travelling between the regions.

In India, especially in the city of [[Lucknow]], shirmal is sometimes served with kababs, [[Aloo tikki|tikkia]], or alongside [[nihari]].

==See also==
{{cookbook}}
* [[List of Indian breads]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Indian bread}}
{{Pakistani bread}}
{{Iranian bread}}
{{Flatbreads}}

[[Category:Indian breads]]
[[Category:Pakistani breads]]
[[Category:Iranian breads]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Mughlai cuisine]]
[[bn:শিরমাল]]