When one thinks about food from Bihar, the two terms that come to mind are Litti and Chokha. Indeed, Litti Chokha is a true jewel of Bihari cooking, and its popularity has spread throughout India due to its strong flavour. This meal is as delicious as the abundance of eggplant, potato, tomato and other types of mashes that are offered with it because the Littis are grilled over coal after being bathed in ghee and stuffed with a spicy sattu filling.
As the general Lok Sabha Election has started in Bihar on 19th April, the state has once again become the talk of the town. So, when talking about Bihar, omitting its traditionally delectable cuisine would simply not be right. So, here are some of the most popular Bihari dishes that you can enjoy.
Balushahi
Balushahi, a delicious sweet delight from Bihari cuisine that was just granted a GI Tag, is adored for its mouthwatering flavour and texture. The dough for these flaky, deep-fried pastries is created with ghee and all-purpose flour, and it is soaked in sweet syrup. The end product is a delicious treat with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior and a crispy ext. The rich, decadent flavour of balushahi makes it a popular dish during festivals and festivities, bringing a touch of sweetness to Bihari culinary traditions.
Sattu Paratha
Bihari cuisine's popular mainstay, Sattu Paratha, exemplifies the area's inventive cooking techniques and health-conscious mindset. The recipe for this filling flatbread is to load whole wheat dough with roasted chickpea flour (sattu), which has been combined with herbs and spices. It takes on a savoury, earthy flavour and a crispy, golden crust when cooked on a griddle with ghee. Sattu paratha is a well-liked alternative among the locals and a satisfying, wholesome choice for those looking for a genuine Bihari culinary experience because of its high nutritional content and delicious taste.
Thekua
A popular Bihari dessert called thekua is made particularly for festivals and celebrations. The dough for these crispy, deep-fried treats is created by kneading wheat flour, ghee, and jaggery and shaping it into little discs or elaborate patterns. Thekua is ready to eat once it has become golden. Its flavour is remarkable because of its strong scent, unique sweetness, and subtle cardamom and fennel undertones. Thekua is also a joy to travel with because it keeps fresh for days.
Kadhi Badi
Kadhi Badi, the Bihari take on kadhi pakoda, is a tasty meal that is typically served over hot rice. Soft, fried gram flour dumplings, shaped like round bullets or badis, are dipped in a tart yoghurt curry flavoured with cumin, asafoetida, and fenugreek seeds. The rich curry is absorbed by the badi, resulting in a delectable balance of creaminess and sourness. This hearty and filling meal offers a lovely experience that honours the essence of Bihari culinary history. It is the ideal balance of simplicity and taste.
Kesar Peda
Peda is an authentic Indian dessert. Cardamom powder, sugar, khoya, kesar (saffron), and milk are boiled together for a while. It is formed into little spherical pedas after it has the consistency of dough. There are also some lovely patterns on certain pedas. Bihar has a rich history of peda in its culinary traditions. The pedas of Deoghar, which is in modern-day Jharkhand, are highly beloved by the locals. Purchase some peda from any neighbourhood Bihar store, or, for an even greater experience, find some Devghar peda and eat it. You'll grow to love them as well.
Chana Ghugni
Bihari street dish Chana Ghugni is available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian varieties. Aromatic spices like cumin, mustard seeds, and ginger are combined with white chickpeas, or chana, to create a spicy and sour curry. A zesty and fresh garnish of chopped onions, green chillies, and coriander leaves is added to the meal. To increase the protein content of this meal, a lot of people also add scrambled eggs and chicken or mutton keema.
Malpua
Though you have probably had this sweet dish elsewhere in India, the thickness and flavour of Bihari Malpua make it unique. A mixture of flour, milk, and sugar is used to make these sweet pancakes, which are deep-fried till golden and crispy. The sugar syrup is poured over the hot malpuas, giving them a delicious sweetness. Malpua, adorned with chopped almonds and occasionally drizzled with rabri, is a delicious dish that captivates the senses with its richness and joyous pleasure.