One of the most common images on the postcards from the mountains includes a hand holding a plate of noodles stretching out with snow-capped mountains on the top. Now imagine the temple of Kedarnath or snow-capped mountains in the backdrop and you enjoying vegetarian delicacies from Uttaranchal cuisine with delight.
If you are planning the Char Dham Yatra this year, it is a must that you explore the pahadi cuisine. Chef Pawan Bisht, an independent food consultant and expert on Uttaranchal cuisine, says, “The hills and atmosphere of Uttarakhand are not polluted, therefore, the produce here is healthy, organic, and nutritious. You can find one-of-a-kind herbs and greens.” He describes the cuisine of hills as “simply heaven.”
While you embark on the holy pilgrimage, note these dishes. A taste of these vegetarian delicacies will help you experience gastronomic heaven.
Bhaddu Ki Dal
Image Credit: Chef Pawan Bisht/ Instagram
The dish is named after the vessel in which it is prepared. He adds, “Bhaddu is a heavy bottom and narrow neck pot made of alloy.” He says that if a person tastes this delight once, they can never forget its taste. Urad dal and rajma are cooked together in a blend of whole spices like bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and more. After adding spices to the tomato gravy, dal and rajma are cooked in bhaddu for at least 20 minutes and garnished with fresh cream to add richness. He says that elders believe it used to be the ‘shaan’ of every ‘rasoi’ (kitchen) in Uttarakhand.
Gaderi
Image Credit: Chef Pawan Bisht/ Instagram
Gaderi is a delish prepared using taro root. Chef Pawan Bisht says, “Gaderi, pinalu, arabi, ghuiya, hathikan (elephant ear), saru, chembu are a few different names by which taro plant from the colocasia family is known.” The dish has a texture similar to potato sabzi but boasts a slightly sweet flavour. He adds, “To work with gaderi is to pick ones that look firm and have a distinct earthy aroma. Washing is a priority post which needs to be boiled before peeling and tossing in mustard oil.”
Thechwani
Image Credit: Chef Pawan Bisht/ Instagram
Thechwani is a unique way of preparing vegetables in Uttarakhand. Chef Bisht breaks down the word to explain that ‘thech’ refers to crushing vegetables on sil (batan) with the help of battan (una) into small chunks, and ‘wani’ means curry. He adds, “No knife or any cutting gear is used in the preparation of this dish.” The amalgamation of potato and radish makes this dish nutritious and fulfilling. Cooked in local spices and iron kadhai, thechwani is a rich source of fibre and acts as an immunity booster.
Bedu Ki Sabzi
Image Credit: Chef Pawan Bisht/ Instagram
This dish is prepared using Himalayan wild figs and is referred to by other names like junglee anjeer, timla fruit, bedu, and khemri. Chef Pawan Bisht shares that bedu is often found in forests and people call it a ‘celestial fruit’ because it possesses ample benefits for health, including regulating blood pressure, improving the digestive system, and helping you keep the bladder and urinary tract healthy. Raw figs are used to make this delightful vegetarian dish. Non-vegetarians going on Char Dham Yatra find this dish oddly comforting because of its meaty texture and finger-licking good taste.
Patode
Image Credit: Chef Pawan Bisht/ Instagram
Patode is a dish prepared using potaode or colocasia leaf. Chef Bisht says, “Crispy fritters are perfect picks for snack time.” These leaves are also used while making kadhi at home. However, to prepare the fritters, the leaves can either be steamed, shallow fried, or even deep fried. He adds, “These are good sources of iron, vitamins B, C, and A, and calcium.” You can have these with locally prepared chutney, and your evenings will be sorted.
Punarnava
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Chef Pawan Bisht calls it a lost recipe. Prepared using green vegetables, punarnava refers to ‘something that renews and replenishes the body.’ The expert shares that this dish is mentioned in Ayurved for its medicinal properties. Prepared using unwanted and uncultivated greens, Chef Bisht explains that the recipe is almost lost due to fast-paced life and globalization. If you find an eatery serving this delicacy, you must order it.
Bhatt ki Churkani
Image Credit: Chef Pawan Bisht/ Instagram
Bhatt ki churkani is a popular vegetarian delicacy prepared in Uttarakhand using black soybeans. This dish has many names, including bhatt ke dubke, bhatt ki chutney, or bhatiya. The highly nutritious pulse is considered for people struggling to manage cholesterol and constipation. One of the best aspects of this dish is it is free from fat and considered a rich source of protein. Chef Bisht says, “It is an excellent substitute for meat and meat-based products.”