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REFERENCE

dum

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈdəm// dum Dialect Humorous

n. a type of slow-cooking where you seal a pot with dough to keep the steam and flavors inside. It is a traditional way to make very soft and tasty meat or rice dishes.

n. a traditional South Asian technique of slow-cooking in a heavy-bottomed, sealed vessel. The method relies on trapped steam to tenderise ingredients and infuse them with spices.


SIMPLE

The chef prepares the chicken biryani using the traditional dum method.

CONTEXTUAL

By sealing the pot with a ring of dough, the cook ensures the dum process keeps the moisture from escaping.

COMPLEX

The restaurant is famous for its authentic mutton curry, which is cooked on a low flame under dum for several hours to achieve a melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Origin

From Hindi दम (dam).

Usage

Often used in the phrase 'on dum' or as a modifier in dish names like 'Dum Aloo' or 'Dum Biryani'.

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