"Dum" which literally means slow cooking and maturing the main ingredient with aromatic spices, is a very ancient and traditional method of cooking, predominantly large joints of meat are cooked enclosed with aromatic spices and masala over slow heat to retain the juices and also allowing the meat to thoroughly absorb the flavor and aroma released from the whole spices. Thick-bottomed vessels are called handi's and lagan, which are usually cooked on live charcoal or wood fire which also gives a smokey flavor in the final dish. Meats or biryanis are cooked in this particular method in which the vessel is covered with dough casing or covered with a lid which is sealed with dough thus not allowing the air to escape. Dum cooking is popular in Mughlai And Awadhi cuisine.