Sunday 1 November 2015

Travel for the love of food: 21 must have dishes from Indian states

India is a diverse country and has many different cultures and each state expresses its tradition through its cuisine. It is a delight to try different cuisines and these dishes give my husband a big reason to travel around the states to fulfill his “gastronomical” call and for me another reason to just travel J

Here we bring you some local & authentic must have dishes indigenous to various Indian States.

1. Jammu & Kashmir: Rogan Josh

It is a spicy aromatic lamb dish which has a Persian origin. Experience the taste of soft mutton being cooked in various herbs and spices. It is one of the signature recipes of Kashmiri cuisine.

Imgae Source: Wikipedia


2.  Himachal Pradesh: Sidu

One of the most loved dishes in Himachal Pradesh; Sidu is like bread made from wheat flour where the dough is kneaded with yeast and the dough is kept for 4-5 hours before it is prepared. It can be eaten with Ghee (Clarified Butter), Dal (Lentil) or with Hari Chutney (Mint sauce).

Image Source: Fashion.Mithilaconnect


3. Punjab: Makki  di Roti with Sarson ka Saag

Made from Sarson(Mustard) leaves and spices, this dish is popular in Punjab province of India and Pakistan. Served with Makke (Unraised Corn) Roti with a topping of butter and a glass of Lassi (Sweet Buttermilk), this icon dish is a very heartening meal.

Image Source: Wikipedia

4. Haryana: Bajre ki Khichri

Besides the vegetables, the staple food for Harayana is Bajre ki Khichri (Salty Millet Porridge). Eaten with pure ghee/pickle/chutney/lassi/pappd/curd, the dish looks simple but is delicious.

Image Source: Feminiya

5. Uttar Pradesh: Kebabs

The state is divided into three regions so is the food. The people here are fond of savouring different flavours of food. The most popular genre of food is Mughlai and Awadh and the mouth watering Kebabs takes away the numero uno position. Kebabs are made by grilling skewers of marinated mutton/chicken/fish/paneer etc, my favourite being Shami Kabab!

Image Source: Wikipedia

6. Rajasthan: Dal Baati Churma

Rajasthani food is incomplete without the mention of this cuisine. The dish compromises of Dal (Lentils) and Baati (Hard wheat rolls). Baatis can be baked in gas tandoor or electric oven, irrespective of the technique needs to be dipped in ghee along with Dal (mixture of 4-5 lentils) and Churma( mixed with Jaggery). No Rajasthani festival or wedding is complete without this dish.

Image Source: Wikipedia

7. Gujarat: Thepla & Khandvi

A very filling meal with few calories! Thepla is a healthy flatbread made with gram flour, wheat flour and spices. This can be munched anytime of the day and has a long shell life. Khandvi is a yellowish tightly rolled bite-size pieces primarily made from gram flour and curd with tempering of sesame, mustard seeds and topping of green chillies, sprinkled coconut.

Image Source: Wikipedia

8. Madhya Pradesh: Bhutte ka Kees

This sumptuous dish is made from Bhutta (Corn) and Milk. Corn is cooked with spices and simmered in milk which makes an unusual vegetable dish.

Image Source: Rediff

9. Uttaranchal: Aaloo ke Gutke & Kappa

Aaloo ke Gutke is a popular snack made with potatoes cooked with spices and read chilles. Kappa is a Kumani preparation of mainly Palak (Spinach) or any other green vegetable with a paste of rice. The dish can be served with Chappatis, Pickle and Dal (Lentil).

Image Source: The Alternative


10. Maharashtra: Puran Poli

It is a buttery flatbread stuffed with Gur ( Jaggery),  Chana Dal (Yellow gram lentil), Plain flour, Cardamom and Ghee (Clarified butter). It is made in all major festivals and is a special delicacy for Marathi people.

Image Source: Wikipedia


11. Bihar: Litti Chokha

Litti Chokha is a traditional dish mainly eaten in Bihar and Jharkhand. Litti is made of Wheat (Flour) and Sattu (Powered Lentil) and spices, baked in oven or tandoor and Chokha is Baigan ( Eggplant) mixed with Tomatoes and other spices. Litti can also be served with Chicken/ Mutton recipes.

Image Source: Wikipedia


12. Andhra Pradesh: Gongura Pachadi

Gongura Pachadi is signature Andhra chutney, a mouth watering blend of fresh ground gongura (Sorrel) leaves spiced with red and green chillies. Taste best with hot steamed rice and onion.

Image Source: Youtube

13. Goa: Vindaloo & Bibinca

Vindaloo is the oldest hottest dish in the Indian food history made with red chillies and vinegar. Combine it with Bibinca that is essentially a layered pudding dessert that tastes of the tropics. The traditional Bibinca is made of 16 layers and is so soft that it melts in the mouth.

Image Source: Wikipedia


14. Karnataka: Bisi Bele Bhaat

It is one of the most popular rice-lentil-vegetable dish from Karnataka cuisine. It is also known as Bisi bele huliyanna which means “hot lentil sour rice”. It is served piping hot with ghee, pappad and cool raita.

Image Source: amc.in


15. Kerala: Aviyal (Avial)

A thick mixture of coconut, curd and vegetables, seasoned with coconut oil and curry leaves. It occupies an important place in Kerala cuisine and is a must for Onam Sadya.

Image Source: flavorsofindia


16. Tamil Nadu: Kadugu Yerra

It is an incredible curry made with prawns cooked in a spicy tomato sauce with potatoes, coconut milk, vinegar, fenugreek and mustard paste. Kadugu in Tamil means mustard and Yerra means shrimp/prawn. It has a rich texture like French sauces.

Image Source: preoccupied


17. Odisha: Fish Orly & Chhena Poda

The signature dish for the state of Odisha, Fish Orly is lightly seasoned fish dipped in flour and egg based batter and then deep fried. Serve with tatar sauce for more taste. Chhena Poda is a cheese dessert made of well kneaded home cottage cheese (Chhena), sugar, raisins and cashew nuts and baked till it turns brown.

Image Source: Bawarchi


18. West Bengal: Bhapa Ilish

A Bengali speciality, Bhapa Ilish is Hilsa steeped in a pungent mustard sauce and green chillies steamed to perfection with a liberal dousing of mustard oil.

Image Source: OutlookIndia


19. Sikkim: Phagshapa

It is a lightly flavoured not too spicy dish that is best served with steamed rice. It is made with strips of pork-fat strewed with radishes, turnips and dried chillies.

Image Source: Indiamarks


20. Assam: Masoor Tenga

Masoor Tenga or Tangy fish curry is prepared with Tenga in which the key ingredient is a souring agent like lemon, tomatoes, kajinemu (elongated lemon) or thekera (dried mangosteen).

Image Source: Recontalk


21. India’s Capital – Delhi (Union Territory): Butter Chicken (Makhani Chicken)

Delhi is the birthplace of Makhani Chicken that is loved all across. It was developed by Moti Mahal Restaurant. It can be made mild or spicy and has a base of rich tomato gravy.

Image Source: Wikipedia


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