India is a treasure trove of delicacies. And when the food is as glorious as the mountains, it’s a crime to stay away from it right? Pahadi dishes with humble vegetables and elaborate desserts are all about finger-licking food that exudes simplicity. The savory dishes are mainly dominated by lentils, potatoes, and pahadi vegetables; while the sweets are made using rice, sugar cane, jaggery, khoya, etc. But it’s the homemade ghee that does the real magic for most of their dishes. So here’s a list of 5 must-try Pahadi dishes that tell-tale of the mountains!
1. Chainsoo
Chainsoo is one of the most delightful Pahadi dishes and it’s made by using kali dal. If you ever dine with Pahari people, you will see them pair this dal with boiled rice or baadi. Chainsoo also has numerous health benefits and keeps you strong. It’s also a great source of protein for you. So for all the vegans, Chainsoo is a good option. The dish uses urad dal that’s roasted with a variety of spices. But garnishing it with pure ghee and chopped coriander is the key.
2. Anardana Chicken
Meat is cooked very differently in Pahadi dishes. So if you are bored of the regular tandoori chicken, here’s a unique dish for you. Anardana Chicken is heavily loaded with ghee and butter. But the most unique part of the dish is the way of marinating it. Ti brings the bronze color of the dish, the chicken is marinated with dry pomegranate seeds and chilies. Later a lot of mountain spices go into the dish as it gets cooked in low heat. Absolutely yummy!
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3. Singori
Singori or singodi is one of the famous Pahadi dishes. It’s a sweet dish and has a unique leafy addition to it. This dessert is wrapped in malu leaf that smells like condensed milk. Malu or Molu leaves are mostly found on mountain slopes, preferably on the slopes of Uttarakhand. The stuffing for the leaf has khoya, cardamom, sugar & grated coconut. Singori is the pride of Kumaon and if you are on a trip to Kumaon, then there’s no way you should miss out on this sweet dish.
4. Pahadi Aloo Palda
Pahadi dishes are mostly dominated by fresh veggies and this one’s a potato curry from the mountains. The dish is made of thick, smooth gravy with chunks of boiled potatoes in it. But the boiling is done along with a variety of spices, mostly cardamom and mustard oil. Yogurt is central to this dish and the curry tastes best when served with hot steamed rice. And if you decide to cook it at home, keep in mind, that this dish is prepared in medium flame throughout.
5. Bhang Ki Chutney
If you want to enhance the taste of Pahadi dishes, the bhang ki chutney on the side is the key to it. This chutney recipe is very popular among the Pahadis. It’s made from bhang seeds, mint leaves, and green chilies. And if you are having meat, the addition of this chutney is sure to create a spell on your taste buds. Preparing the chutney is totally simple and you can easily make this at your home. Just roast the bhang seeds and then grind them. Then add the green chilies, lemon juice, mint leaves, water, and salt and give them all another mix in the grinder. Your pahadi chutney is ready.
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