The dishes of Punjab are always bold and freshly made with grounded spices along with flavours that give a strong spicy taste. The dishes of Punjab, specially those made in winter, feel like a warm hug with their elegant and rich taste.
The history of Punjabi cuisine dates long back to the Indus Valley Civilization. It is also influenced by Mughal invaders, making it a perfect blend of richness and use of every resource cultivated. The food is very rich and made with aromatic spices. Also, it has a light, tingly feeling that makes the mind and body flutter. It is never enough for one to get over the deliciousness of every dish made in Punjab.
Punjabi dishes are heartily made out of lots of dried spices (khade masale) to enhance the taste, with lots of dairy products such as cream, curd and milk to balance the bitterness and enhance the richness. The Punjabi dishes are also made with traditional methods such as slow cooking, use of tandoor, and many more techniques to bring out the original taste every time.
If you want to explore more about what are the dishes that are made in Punjab to try out this winter then make sure you follow this article till its end.
1. Punjabi Chitt Curry: Punjabi Chitt Curry is made with lots of smashed ginger and garlic with tomato puree and onions. The speciality of the dish is that it is traditionally made with milk and can also be alternated with curd. To make the dish more buttery, lots of ghee or butter (homemade) is used instead of vegetable oil. It can be garnished with different kinds of herbs, such as mint and coriander. The dish is a true delight in winter times and it can be eaten with warm chapati and rice.
2. Sarso Ka Saag: Sarson ka saag is one of the most classic dishes originated from Punjab, which is hearty and healthy at the same time. If you are someone who is not a fan of greens, you will definitely love the balanced flavour in this dish because it does not feel like you are eating mustard greens but a creamy delight with lots of garlic punch and spices. You can pair Sarson ka saag with Makki di roti, or you can have rice or chapati with it as per your preference.
3. Panjiri:If you are craving something sweet in winter times, then make sure you eat this Punjabi dish because it is very flavorful and has the right amount of sweetness to it with lots of spices, which makes your body warm. Panjiri will make you feel close to your family with a warm, homely taste. There are lots of spices added to it, such as coriander, dry ginger powder, fennel seeds, and more.
4. Punjabi Shalgam Ka Bharta: If you are looking for a dish to try with winter vegetables in Punjabi cuisine, you can try Punjabi shalgam ka bharta with lots of spices and roasted shalgam, which is very creamy and tangy to taste with lots of garlic flavour and spices added to it such as coriander and turmeric making it a very hearty dish to eat with paratha or chapati. You can also add different kinds of dry fruits to make your bharta more royal.
5. Mutton Saagwala: If you are a big fan of meat and want to have a taste of uniqueness, then you must look out for mutton saagwala as it is a mutton dish prepared with lots of greens added to it such as spinach, mustard greens and many more. The greens are made into a paste before adding it to the meat giving it a rich creamy flavour. The meat is boiled, and the broth from greens is used for the gravy, making it a very flavourful treat.
6. Meetha Puda: If you are looking for something sweet and wholesome this winter, then make sure you try meetha puda. Wheat flour is used to make the batter, and it is served with lots of honey. One can also use different kinds of milk batter and brown sugar to make it more delicious. A sprinkle of cinnamon powder or hot honey and a side of sweet cream or jaggery chutney is perfect for the dish.
7. Makki Ki Raab: If you love corn and if you love to try out different drinks, then you will love makke ki raab which is prepared with buttermilk and corn mixed with various spices to make a savoury, sweet drink according to your preference. It is a very nutritional and tasty drink to devour after a long day at work or having a heavy brunch. One can also try adding different kinds of dry fruits to it as a garnish to make the drink more wholesome.
8. Kaali Gajar Di Kaanji: Another popular winter drink that you can find is Kaali Gajar di Kaanji. The drink is fermented with lots of black-carrot beetroot and spices to make it a sweet, savoury drink. It is very vibrant in colour and looks very pretty, too. One can also have it with boondi served on top of the drink. The drink is a great option after having lunch to clear out the heaviness of the meal.