Explore Micro Cuisines Of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, referred to as the ‘Heart of India’ because of its location at the centre, is known for its diverse culinary landscape. It is surrounded by many Indian states which influence its regional food. One way to get acquainted with its culinary heritage is to understand micro cuisines and what they encompass.

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This unique journey will help you dive deeper into dishes and ingredients that shine in a particular region. It will also widen your understanding of the past and make you a pro in regional cuisines. By exploring the micro cuisines of Madhya Pradesh, you can know which part of the state you should explore to satisfy the cravings of your foodie personality.

Bundelkhand Cuisine

If there is a region where you will find a variety of delicacies cooked with lentils and millets in India, it is this part of Madhya Pradesh. Bundelkhand cuisine spans districts like Chhatarpur, Sagar, and Tikamgarh. A few delicacies that are a must-have for gastronomes include baigan ki lonje, Bundeli gosht, chakki ki shaak, and aloo bharta.

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Mahakaushal Cuisine

In the cities like Mandla, Jabalpur, and Balaghat, you will find varieties of rice and fish dishes. Since these regions are close to the Narmada River, they have access to fresh green leafy vegetables as well. The dishes here are rich in ingredients and flavours. So if you are looking for recommendations, don’t skip relishing sabudana khichdi, mahua, roti ke ladoo, and a spiced version of biryani served with raita.

Malwa Cuisine

If your itinerary includes exploring Indore, Ratlam, and Ujjain, you can make sure to try treats originating from the Malwa cuisine. The food in this region is spicier than others but also rich in taste because of the ingredients used like gram flour, maize, and wheat. Whether you are craving poha or dal bafla, the famous restaurants in these cities must be on your itinerary. Other delights include chaat, garbha, and bhutte ke kees.

Nimar Cuisine

In the Southwestern region of Madhya Pradesh, which encompasses cities like Khargone, Khandwa, and Barwani. In this region, most dishes boast tangy flavours and are prepared with fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices. They have a simple recipe but it promises to satisfy your hunger. A few dishes that you should not miss out on include dahi bhalle, kadaknath chicken curry, nimadi bhaat, and mawa jalebi.

Baghelkhand Cuisine

In the areas like Satna, Rewa, and Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, you can explore Baghelkhand cuisine. The locals here know how nutritious millets are and have been using them to create mouth-watering delicacies for ages. Local grains and seasonal vegetables take the flavours of these dishes up a notch. If you are confused about where to start your expedition, begin by relishing gulab jamun ki sabzi, kodo ki khichdi, chana samosa, and samosa.