Located in the North-Western part of the subcontinent, Punjab is bounded by the Indian States of Jammu and Kashmir in the north, Himachal Pradesh in the northeast, Haryana in the south and southeast and Rajasthan in the southwest and by the country of Pakistan to the west. Punjabi food with oodles of ghee not only satiates our hunger but also satisfies our hearts. Be it a roadside Dhaba or a high-end restaurant, Punjabi food is a lot more than just about the mix of spices, it’s about a life of variety and spices.
12 Delicious Foods to Eat in Punjab
1. Makki di Roti te Sarso ka Saag
A Punjabi classic, the yellow roti made with cornflour tastes best when served with Sarso ka Saag and a spoonful of Ghee. It can also be coupled with Gur or Jaggery to add to the taste of the dish. The saag is a mix of mustard greens with spices such as garam masala, ginger, and garlic. It is popular among the Punjabis during the winters.
2. Butter Chicken
The Land of Butter Chicken offers you the most lip-smacking chicken. This dish is made by marinating the chicken overnight and then the marinated chicken is roasted in a heavenly mixture of tomato puree, cream, and masala. It is popularly said in Punjab that the more the butter, the better is the gravy. To experience foodgasm at its best dig into the dish with your hands.
3. Tandoori Chicken
To get the real taste of life, you have got to taste the traditional Tandoori Chicken of Punjab. The thick gravy with the mouth-watering taste of the spices will surely make you lick your plate. Skinless legs and thighs are marinated in a tenderizing mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, and spices and in order to make the marinade, the meat is slashed to the bone in several places. Thus, the mix of spices and the beautifully marinated chicken is sure to take you on a roller coaster ride.
4. Dal Makhni
To spice up a boring day, the simplest and easiest way is the rich and rejuvenating taste of Dal Makhni. The desi white cream or Makhan dissolves perfectly in the dal giving it its authentic and rich taste which is sure to make you fall for the dal. The authentic taste of Dal Makhni can only be offered by the Punjabi’s.
5. Rajma Chaawal
A popular vegetarian dish among the Punjabi, Rajma consists of red kidney beans in a thick gravy of many Indian whole spices. Rajma Chawal whether ordered at a fancy restaurant or at a local Dhaba the magic of the dish remains the same. The dish tastes best with onion rings and curd.
6. Kadhi Chaawal
Another delicacy from the land of Five Rivers is the delectable Kadhi Chaawal. Kadhi is a curd based dish with onion fritters being an essential part of the dish. The sourer it is, the better it is. In order to, add the right amount of tanginess Kadhi Patta is also added to the dish. To savour the dish you need to try it with your bare hands.
7. Chole Bhature
This dish is available in every nook and corner of Punjab. Deeply fried bhature with mouth-smacking chole is among the most famous dishes of Punjab. It is said that the oilier the hands the better it is. The dish is traditionally served with onion and lemon and is bound to leave you full.
8. Amritsari Kulche
These Kulche’s aren’t the regular Kulche’s that are available everywhere. These Amritsari Kulche’s are a special Punjabi treat, they are stuffed with potato and tastes best with Hari Mirchi, Achaar and Curd. A perfect quick fix for hunger pangs this dish is not very heavy. These are found in abundance in Amritsar and contains less maida as compared to their counterparts in India.
9. Aloo ka Paratha
The most famous breakfast of every Punjabi this wholesome paratha stuffed with potato, onion, and spices is surely going to make you homesick with its homely rich taste. These parathas taste best with butter spread throughout and curd or pickle.
10. Paneer Tikka
The Punjabi’s are said to be unbeatable when it comes to non–vegetarian food but the same is true when it comes to vegetarian dishes that are made with a twist. Paneer tikka is made in the traditional tandoors giving it a smoky charcoal flavour. It is a perfect starter for a sumptuous Punjabi meal.
11. Gaajar ka Halwa
This mouth-watering dish is made with carrots and is best suited for those who have a sweet tooth. This dish is best had in winters and in Punjab because the ghee dripping from the dish adds the perfect flavour to the dish.
12. Lassi
A satisfying Punjabi meal is incomplete without a glass full of Lassi. Lassi is a famous refreshing drink among the Punjabi’s and is made by mixing milk and curd to add to the richness of the drink, dry fruits are added to it making it all the more wholesome.
A complete Punjabi meal will leave you with a burp that signifies the wholesomeness of the meal and the variety of tastes that just crossed your palate. You are sure to be truly satisfied with the food during your visit to Punjab because the variety of the dishes signifies the friendly and heartwarming nature of the Punjabi’s.
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