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When it comes to the culinary past, Uttar Pradesh, like any other Indian state, has a rich history. Different communities that reside here practice different cooking styles and prepare a variety of foods. However, one thing common among them is the love for rice and rice-based delights.
Video Credit: Chef Kunal Kapur/ YouTube
The grains are cultivated in at least 70 (if not more) districts of Uttar Pradesh, making it a staple food of locals. If you think about it, rice is a staple food across India. However, if you are planning to explore Uttar Pradesh, here are a few rice-based dishes that you must savour for an enriching gastronomic experience.
Tehri
Whether winter or summer, tehri is the most popular dish consumed in Uttar Pradesh. Before even people were introduced to the concept of biryani, veg or non-veg, locals in the state have discovered this one-pot recipe that needs no time and minimal effort to prepare. One crucial tip is to use seasonal vegetables to prepare this dish. After sauteing your favourite vegetables, add rice, and pressure-cook ingredients for 2 whistles. Your dish will be ready.
Awadhi Biryani
Awadhi or Lucknowi biryani is a delicacy savoured across Uttar Pradesh. The secret to acing its recipe lies in slowly cooking the mutton or chicken in a blend of spices until it tenderises. The beauty of this dish is every bite of it is a melange of unique flavours. After cooking the meat, vegetables, and rice separately, they are layered in a large handi and sealed. After 20 minutes of cooking on slow flame, the dish is served with lip-smacking raita.
Matar Pulao
After tehri, matar pulao is a common dish prepared across households in Uttar Pradesh, especially in winter when peas are available in abundance. It is a simple recipe that you can pair with any leftover dal or gravy. You can also serve it with freshly prepared mix-veg or boondi raita. After sauteing peas in cumin and grated ginger, pressure cook them with soaked rice. The cooking time of this recipe is no more than 15 minutes.
Khichdi
Most people will make you believe that khichdi is a dish for patients, but it is a wholesome and nutritious meal consumed in Uttar Pradesh throughout the year. Moong dal khichdi is the most common that you will see being prepared in households, but in some places, arhar dal khichdi is also preferred. Rice and lentils are soaked together and cooked in a pressure cooker. Temper it with ghee, cumin seeds, red chilli powder, and hing before serving.
Meethe Chawal
Prepare on Basant Panchami, meethe chawal are savoured Uttar Pradesh across many regions. Usually prepared with jaggery or sugar, the long-grain rice boasts mild flavours of spices. Some even add saffron of the colour and dry fruits for richness. If you have a sweet tooth, you will love this wholesome dish.
Tahri
Just like tehri, non-veg lovers can indulge in tahri, which is prepared using meat. It is also a one-pot meal in which rice grains are cooked with meat. To ensure everything is cooked to perfection, use boneless and small pieces of meat. Saute the ingredients in some spices before you add soaked rice to the mix. If you cook in a pressure cooker, the dish will be ready in just a couple of whistles and you can enjoy it with chilled raita on the side.
Gur Chawal
Gur chawal is a comfort food in Uttar Pradesh. As the name suggests, grains are cooked in ghee, jaggery, and cardamom. The sweet dish is usually prepared in the winter season but no one can stop you from making it in summer or monsoon. It is one of those rice-based delights that leave you feeling nostalgic with the familiar aroma and taste.
