Enjoy Baisakhi 2023 With 9 Luscious Foods

Enjoy Baisakhi 2023 With 9 Luscious Foods
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Baisakhi is a festival that is celebrated with great fervour in the northern state of Punjab. This colourful and vibrant festival is celebrated on the first day of ‘Baisakh’, which marks the beginning of the harvest season for Rabi crops.

It is a day of thanksgiving for the farming community who celebrates the successful harvest of their crops.

When it comes to Indian celebrations, food is an integral part of the festivities.

Punjabi cuisine is known for its rich and robust flavours, and the festival is an opportunity to indulge in some delicious and mouth-watering dishes.

1. Punjabi Dahi Kadhi

Punjabi-Dahi-Kadhi

This delicious and flavourful curry is made using yoghurt and a range of spices. It is topped with pakoras made using fenugreek and onion, which add a delightful crunch to the dish.

The curry is tangy and a bit spicy, making it the perfect companion to some steamed rice or rotis.

Ingredients:

For the kadhi:

  • 1 cup sour yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
  • 2-3 dried red chilies
  • 10-12 curry leaves

For the pakoras:

  • 1 cup gram flour (besan)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
  • Water (as required)
  • Oil (for deep frying)

For the tempering:

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 2-3 dried red chilies
  • 10-12 curry leaves

Instructions:

  1. Mix yogurt, gram flour, water, salt, and turmeric powder in a bowl.
  2. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, dried red chilies, and curry leaves. Saute for a minute.
  3. Add the yogurt mixture and bring to a boil, then simmer for 25-30 mins.
  4. Make pakora batter with gram flour, spices, onions, and coriander leaves.
  5. Deep fry small balls of batter until golden brown.
  6. Add the pakoras to the kadhi and simmer for 5-10 mins.
  7. Heat oil in a small pan and add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, dried red chilies, and curry leaves. Saute for a minute.
  8. Pour the tempering over the kadhi and serve hot with rice or roti.

2. Meethe Chawal

meethechawal

Zarda Pulao also known as Meethe Chawal, is a delicious rice dish that is loaded with saffron, milk, and rich dry fruits. 

It can be consumed as a savoury or a dessert, and there are many variations of preparing it. The end result, however, is always Delicious.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup ghee
  • 1/2 cup dry fruits (almonds, cashews, raisins)
  • 2-3 green cardamom pods
  • 1/4 teaspoon saffron strands

Instructions:

  1. Rinse rice until water runs clear and soak in water for 30 minutes.
  2. Boil 2 cups of water, add rice and salt, cook until done, then drain excess water.
  3. Heat ghee, sauté mixed dry fruits for a minute.
  4. Add sugar and 1/2 cup water, stir until sugar dissolves and bring to a boil.
  5. Add cardamom pods and saffron strands, mix well.
  6. Reduce heat, add cooked rice, mix gently until coated with syrup.
  7. Cook Coverd on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. Once fully cooked, turn off heat and let rest for a few minutes.
  9. Transfer to serving dish and Garnish with more dry fruits and serve hot or cold.

3. Chole Bhature

cholebhature

No Punjabi celebration is complete without Chole Bhature. This Punjabi dish comprises spicy and flavourful chickpeas served with deep-fried, refined flour bhaturas. 

While it may not be the healthiest option, it is totally worth indulging in for the delicious flavours and textures.

Ingredients for Chole:

  • 2 cups chickpeas (chole), soaked overnight
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 2-3 green chilies, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Water as required

Ingredients for Bhature:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
  • 1/4 cup semolina (sooji)
  • 1/4 cup yogurt (dahi)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • Oil for frying
  • Water as required
  • Instructions 

Chole:

  • Drain and wash chickpeas.
  • Sauté cumin seeds, onions, ginger-garlic paste, and green chilies in a cooker.
  • Add tomatoes and spices to it 
  • Add chickpeas, baking soda, salt, and water.
  • Pressure cook for 5-6 whistles.
  • Adjust consistency, salt, and spices.
  • Simmer the flame for 5-7 minutes.

Bhature:

  • Mix all purpose flour with water in a bowl and mix some salt, sugar, and baking powder.
  • Add yogurt and knead with water.
  • Rest for 2-3 hours.
  • Roll dough portions into oval or round shapes.
  • Fry in hot oil until golden brown.
  • Drain excess oil on a paper towel.

Serve hot with chole.

4. Gudwali Kheer

Gudwali-Kheer

A meal is incomplete without something sweet, and Gudwali Kheer is the perfect dessert to round off your Baisakhi feast. 

This rice and milk kheer is sweetened with jaggery instead of sugar, giving it a unique flavour profile. It is also loaded with rich dry fruits, which add to its deliciousness.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup Basmati Rice
  • 1 liter full fat Milk
  • 1/2 cup Jaggery (grated)
  • 1 tsp Cardamom Powder
  • 1 tbsp Ghee
  • 10-12 Cashew Nuts
  • 10-12 Raisins

Instructions:

  1. Soak 1/2 cup Basmati Rice for 20-30 minutes.
  2. Fry 10-12 Cashew Nuts and 10-12 Raisins in 1 tbsp Ghee.
  3. Add Basmati Rice and fry for 2-3 minutes after draining.
  4. Add 1 liter of full-fat milk and cook until the rice is fully cooked and the milk has thickened.
  5. Add 1/2 cup grated Jaggery and cook until fully dissolved and kheer thickens.
  6. Mix 1 tsp Cardamom Powder.
  7. Serve chilled or warm.

5. Sarson ka Saag

sarsonkasaag

Sarson ka Saag is a traditional Punjabi dish that is a must-try during Baisakhi celebrations. This nutritious and flavourful dish is made using mustard greens, spinach, and a range of spices. 

It is usually served with hot, buttered makki roti, which is a type of cornbread. The dish is not only delicious but also very healthy, making it a popular choice among health-conscious foodies.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch of mustard greens (sarson)
  • 1 bunch of spinach leaves (palak)
  • 1 bunch of fenugreek leaves (methi)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 3-4 green chilies, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

Instructions:

  1. Clean and chop the mustard greens, spinach leaves and fenugreek leaves.
  2. Pressure cook the greens with water for 4-5 whistles and blend the mixture.
  3. Saute cumin seeds, onions and green chilies in ghee until onions are translucent.
  4. Add ginger, garlic paste and sauté well.
  5. Add chopped tomatoes and sauté until mushy.
  6. Add spices and sauté for a minute.
  7. Add the blended greens mixture and cook on medium flame for 10-15 minutes.
  8. Serve hot with makki di roti and butter.

6. Bharwa Makki ki Roti

bharvamakkikiroti

Bharwa Makki ki Roti is a unique and delicious dish that is popular in the northern state of Punjab, especially during the winter season. 

It is a stuffed cornbread that is made using maize flour and stuffed with a spicy potato filling.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups makki ka atta (cornmeal)
  • 1 cup boiled and mashed potatoes
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 green chilies, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Ghee (clarified butter) for frying

Instructions:

  1. Mix makki atta (corn meal), salt, and water to make a soft dough.
  2. Mix boiled mashed potatoes, chopped onions, spices, and salt for the filling.
  3. Divide dough into balls and stuff each with filling.
  4. Roll out each ball into a flatbread.
  5. Cook on a griddle until lightly browned.
  6. Apply ghee to the surface of the cooked flatbread.
  7. Serve hot with curry or chutney.

7. Butter Chicken

Butterchicken

People all around the world enjoy butter chicken, a classic North Indian meal. 

It is a rich and creamy dish made with marinated chicken pieces that are cooked in a tomato-based gravy, which is flavoured with a range of spices.

Ingredients:

  • 500 grams boneless chicken
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Marinate chicken in spices and yogurt for 30 minutes.
  2. Cook chicken in butter until lightly browned.
  3. Cook tomato puree with butter and add cream, sugar, and salt.
  4. Add chicken to tomato cream sauce and cook until done.
  5. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with bread or rice.

8. Paneer Tikka

Paneer-Tikka

Paneer tikka is a popular vegetarian appetizer from North Indian cuisine. 

It is made using paneer, which is a type of Indian cheese, that is marinated in a flavourful mixture of yoghurt and spices and then grilled or baked to perfection.

Ingredients:

  • 250 grams paneer, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion, cut into cubes
  • 1 capsicum, cut into cubes
  • Lemon wedges and chaat masala for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt.
  2. Add paneer cubes to the yogurt mixture and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Heat a grill or preheat oven to 200°C. Thread the marinated paneer, onion, and capsicum alternately onto skewers. 
  4. Brush oil over the skewers and grill or bake for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the paneer and vegetables are lightly charred.
  5. Garnish with lemon wedges and sprinkle chaat masala on top.

8. Gulgule

Gulgule

Also known as Meetha Pua, is a popular Indian sweet snack that is made with wheat flour, sugar, fennel seeds, and cardamom powder.

It is usually prepared during festivals or special occasions, and it is especially popular in North India.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup semolina
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Oil for frying

Instructions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, semolina, sugar, baking powder, and cardamom powder.
  2. Add milk and vegetable oil, and mix well to form a smooth batter. The batter should be thick and not too runny.
  3. On medium flame heat a pan.
  4. Drop small spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until they turn golden brown on both sides.
  5. Remove the fried Gulgule using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
  6. Serve the Gulgule warm or at room temperature.

Baisakhi is a time to celebrate, and food is an integral part of these celebrations.  Apart from these dishes, there are several other Punjabi delicacies that you can try during Baisakhi celebrations. 

Whether you are celebrating with family or friends, these delicious dishes are sure to add to the festive spirit. 

So, this Baisakhi, indulge in some mouth-watering Punjabi cuisine and make the most of this vibrant and colourful festival.

Enjoy!

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