Quick answer Taj Restaurant and Banquet at 247 S Bolingbrook Dr, Bolingbrook, IL serves Hyderabadi haleem as the Taj Haleem Special: wheat, lentils and mutton pounded to silk over hours, topped with fried onion, mint and lemon. The meat is certified Hand Zabiha Halal. Order a bowl at the restaurant, or order Mutton Haleem by the half or full tray for a party.
What is haleem?
Haleem is a thick, slow-cooked dish of wheat, lentils and meat, cooked so long that the grains and the meat break down into one smooth, rich porridge. It is one of the best-known dishes of Hyderabad, where it is a fixture of Ramadan evenings and celebrations, and it is loved across Indian and Pakistani kitchens.
Good haleem should be glossy and stretchy when you lift the spoon, with no separate bits of grain or meat left to find. The flavour is deep and savoury rather than fiery, with warmth from whole spices and brightness from the toppings.
How is haleem cooked?
Slowly. Our Taj Haleem Special starts with wheat, lentils and mutton, which are cooked and then pounded over hours until the texture turns to silk. There is no shortcut to that texture; it is why haleem sits on the Specials part of our menu, with the other pots that take all day.
Each bowl is finished the Hyderabadi way:
- Fried onion, for sweetness and crunch.
- Mint, to lift the richness.
- Lemon, squeezed over just before you eat.
Because it takes all day to make, it is worth calling ahead on (630) 808-1832 to check what is on today.
How do you eat haleem?
Squeeze the lemon over the top, stir the fried onion and mint through, and eat it with a spoon while it is hot. Many people like it on its own; others tear in a warm naan from the tandoor. Plain or butter naan keeps the focus on the haleem, and chilli naan adds heat for anyone who wants it.
A bowl of haleem is filling, so as a meal for one it needs little beside it. Finish with an Irani chai, the rich, creamy Hyderabadi-style tea on our menu.
Can I order haleem trays for a party?
Yes. Mutton Haleem is on our catering tray menu: a half tray is $110 and serves 8–10, and a full tray is $200 and serves 18–20. Trays can be ordered and paid for online on the catering page, either 50% now and 50% at pickup, or in full.
- Up to 25 guests: order at least 6 hours ahead.
- More than 25 guests: order a day ahead.
- Delivery is available within 50 miles of Bolingbrook, including Naperville, Plainfield, Romeoville, Joliet and Aurora.
Haleem sits well on a dawat table next to biryani, another mutton tray such as Dum ka Gosht or Mutton Dalcha, and Khatti Dal. For a party, plan haleem as one dish of several rather than the whole meal.
Is the haleem at Taj halal?
Yes. Every piece of meat at Taj, including the mutton in our haleem, is certified Hand Zabiha Halal and monitored by Halal Monitoring Services (HMS), a division of the Shariah Board of America.
Where can I get haleem near Bolingbrook?
At Taj, 247 S Bolingbrook Dr, Bolingbrook, IL 60440, about ten minutes off I-55 with parking at the door. We are open Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 11 am–10 pm; Friday and Saturday 11 am–11:30 pm; closed Monday. You can dine in, order online for pickup, or get delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats or Grubhub.
Haleem questions
What is haleem made of?
Is haleem spicy?
How much is a haleem tray at Taj?
Is haleem available every day at Taj?
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