Punjabi cuisine is a culinary type originating in Punjab, a region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. The subcontinent was divided into two parts, one belonging to India and the other belonging to Pakistan. The most common type of desi food available at Devon Street restaurants and other overseas desi restaurants is Punjabi cuisine. People enjoy Punjabi food because of the different variations it offers in terms of ingredients, cooking techniques, and taste.
The local cuisine of Punjab is heavily influenced by the agriculture and farming lifestyle prevalent there. So the cuisines are rich in ingredients. Meat and vegetables are staples that form a major part of the local cuisine. Punjab is a major producer of wheat, rice, and dairy products. These products also form the staple diet of the Punjabi people.
There are many styles of cooking in Punjab. In the villages, many people still employ the traditional infrastructure for cooking purposes. This includes wood-fired and masonry ovens (stone or brick ovens). Modern methods include cooking on gas cookers. The Tandoori style of cooking involves the use of a tandoor (clay oven).
We have prepared a list of 7 Punjabi dishes that every Pakistani and desi food-lover will enjoy.
1. SARSON SAAG WITH MAKAI ROTI
This is a traditional Punjabi dish. Sarson Saag is a hearty stew with mustard leaves, ghee (clarified butter), green chilies, garlic, and salt as its ingredients. Makai Roti traditionally accompanies Sarson Saag which is a flatbread made using cornmeal or maize flour. Due to the slightly bitter taste of mustard greens, people also typically add spinach leaves to the dish. Winter season is the season of Sarson Saag as mustard crops thrive in winters and fresh mustard greens are readily available in the market. This dish is a wintry guilty pleasure of every household during winter.
2. MURGH CHOLAY
A staple in Punjabi cuisine, Murgh Cholay is a curry of chickpeas and chicken. Murgh Cholay uses various spices such as salt, red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, cumin, and many other spices. The main ingredients for the gravy are onions and tomatoes. Murgh Cholay can have more or less gravy depending upon the taste and preference. Any flatbread including naan-bread, roti-bread, paratha, or rice is a lovely accompaniment to Murgh Cholay. If you want to enjoy the epitome of desi food that is Murgh Cholay, visit Usmania Fine Dining. Pro tip: Don’t forget to order Naan, Paratha, or Tandoori Paratha along with Murgh Cholay for a complete regal meal.
3. PARATHA
Paratha is a type of flatbread. Prepared using whole wheat flour and ghee, Paratha can be eaten with anything. People usually take different kinds of Paratha at breakfast. You can easily make many kinds of Parathas. The famous ones are Aaloo Paratha (spicy mashed potato between layers of paratha), Daal Paratha (spicy lentil mixture between layers of paratha), and Keema paratha (mincemeat mixture in layers of paratha). You just need a cup of strong chai with any kind of paratha and you are good to go! You can try this magical combination at Usmania Fine Dining.
4. KADHI PAKORA
Another famous yet unique Punjabi dish. Kadhi is a spicy and tangy curry with gram flour and yogurt as its base. Pakoras are crispy fritters inside the Kadhi added towards the end. People all over Pakistan enjoy Kadhi Pakora with plain rice, especially during summer. There are many ways of making Kadhi Pakora and many variations exist in both Pakistan and India.
5. ACHAR
In every household, the grandmother or an older relative prepares Achar or pickles. Punjabis love spicy food and pickles are no exception. To go with the buttery food of Punjab, tangy pickles are the best way to cleanse your palate. Achars can be of many types and require different preparation techniques. So in a gist, you can have pickles of mango, carrot, cauliflower, turnip, etc. Or, you can also make an all-in-one Achar comprising of different vegetables and condiments. You can make both cooked and uncooked Achars. Every Pakistani table is incomplete if a bottle of Achar is not present at mealtimes.
6. DAAL MAKHNI
Daal Makhni is a specialty of Lahore which is the biggest city of Punjab. This delectable buttery Punjabi dish of lentils is a rich concoction of black lentils and red kidney beans. The thick gravy has butter and cream as its special ingredients, thus, giving it a very exceptional taste. Traditionally, it simmers for 2-3 hours over a low flame to get it to thicken as the flavors keep becoming deeper. People usually eat it with roti-bread, plain rice or on its own with a fresh green salad.
7. LASSI
A list of top Punjabi foods is incomplete without mentioning Lassi. A drink known far and wide, lassi is something Punjabi pride themselves on. Though it can be salty, the original lassi as it became famous, is sweet with a dollop of cream and butter. Originally, it was a blend of yogurt, sugar, and salt. Sometimes milk or water can also be added to make the consistency thin. Flavors including mango, rose, or strawberry are added these days to twist it. This robust drink is popular, especially during the summer season to beat the heat. Usmania Fine Dining serves many kinds of lassi including Matka Zafrani (saffron) Mango Lassi, Matka Zafrani (saffron) Sweet Lassi, Mango Lassi, Sweet Lassi, Plain Lassi, and Matka Lassi.
If you are ever thinking, “Where can I get the best Pakistani food near me?”, make sure to visit Usmania Fine Dining. We have a wide range of Pakistani and Indian food that a desi food enthusiast in you will love. We come under the best of Devon Street Restaurants and you will know why once you try our food. For further information or queries, please feel free to contact us at (773) 262 1900.
