Visiting Haryana will introduce you to some of the most authentic dishes the state boasts of. The food of Haryana emerges from the culture of the land and is marked by attributes like simplicity, wholesomeness, and freshness. The rural culture of the state makes the cuisine of Haryana explicitly uncomplicated. In this article, we will learn about the cuisine of Haryana in detail and some of the most renowned Haryana foods you must try. Read on:
Haryana Cuisine: An Overview
Haryana, also called the cattle state, ranks second in terms of milk production in India. Every household in the state follows the tradition of making butter and ghee at home and using these ingredients generously in every meal.
- Also, the people of the state prefer fresh ingredients for cooking their daily dishes.
- Lentils, pulses, and rice are widely cultivated in the state. Therefore, rice and rotis or Indian flatbreads made from various grains are staple food items in the state.
- A simple cooking process and minimal use of spices are two other distinct features of Haryana cuisine.
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Main Course Traditional Foods of Haryana
1. Singri Ki Sabzi
Ker Singri is a special kind of sabzi growing amply in the states of Haryana and Rajasthan. In Haryana, a very tasty sabzi is made from this bean. The beans are soaked overnight in water. The next day, the beans are cooked with various spices, berries, and dry mango powder. Some also prefer adding yogurt to this sabzi to improve its taste.
2. Hara Dhania Choliya
This traditional dish makes use of chickpeas or green chana as its key ingredient. Various types of green chanas are combined with seasonal vegetables and spices to make this tasty dish. Generous amounts of diced tomatoes and onions along with spices like turmeric powder and red chili powder, coriander powders are used in this delicious recipe best enjoyed with rice or rotis.
3. Mixed Dal
This is a healthy and tasty lentil-based dish. This Dal makes use of a variety of lentils and is, therefore, absolutely rich in proteins. Several spices and generous quantities of ghee are used in this mixed Dal recipe to give it a rich texture. The lentils are first boiled and then mashed to give the dish an ideal consistency and texture. People of Haryana enjoy this mixed Dal with steamed rice or plain rotis.
4. Besan Masala Roti
This roti or flatbread recipe involves the use of a combination of gram flour or besan and wheat flour or aata. Various spices like coriander powder, dry mango powder, cumin powder, and green chili paste are added to the dough used to prepare these besan masala rotis. The people of the state consume these rotis with sabzi, dal, or raita.
5. Bajra Khichdi
In Indian cuisine, khichdis hold a special place of importance. But, this authentic khichdi recipe of Haryana sets itself apart. In this khichdi, rice is not used. Instead of rice, this khichdi uses bajra or pearl millet in combination with moong dal. The bajra is soaked in water overnight. The next day, this delicious khichdi is prepared and enjoyed steaming hot with pickles and papads.
6. Bajra Aloo Roti
In Haryana, Bajara is the staple grain widely consumed in the winter months. This is just like any other Bajre Ki Roti with the only difference being in the use of mashed potatoes and spices in the filling. Even onion may be used in the filling. These rotis are served with raita or butter.
7. Kadhi Pakora
This famous dish consists of a unique combination of kadhi and fried fritters, commonly known as pakodas, dipped in the kadhi. The kadhi is made out of Yogurt and gram flour or besan. The thick gravy formed by combining yogurt and besan has a palate-tantalizing taste and the fritters dipped in the kadhi taste heavenly.
8. Methi Gajar
Methi Gajar is a spicy dish with a twist of sweetness to it. Methi greens and diced gajar are used in this recipe, which also involves the use of several spices and Garam Masala. A pinch of sugar is used in the dish to give it its authentic taste. This sabzi is usually relished with rotis or rice.
9. Rajma Chawal
Are you looking for a complete meal that’s both healthy and simple to prepare? Then Rajma Chawal of Haryana is the one for you. It is prepared using the protein-rich kidney beans which need to be soaked in water the previous night. The next morning, the beans are cooked with many spices, yogurt, and dollops of ghee. The delicious kidney beans curry is then savoured with steamed rice and salad.
10. Kachri Ki Sabzi
Chopped kachris are used in this delicious and most authentic dish of Haryana. Spices like red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and mustard seeds are used in this simple dish which may be cooked in just 15 minutes.
11. Bathua Raita
This is a refreshing Yogurt-based recipe making use of the chopped leaves of Bathua saag or chenopodium leaves. These leaves are high in antioxidants and vital vitamins. Spices like salt, cumin powder, and red chili powder are added to the yogurt mix to prepare this raita. This raita is served with meals in every Haryana household.
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Snacks & Chutneys of Haryana
12. Dahi Vada
Dahi vadas are famous all-over Northern India but the Haryanvi version of dahi vadas is simply irresistible due to their perfect fusion of sweetness and spiciness. The vadas are nothing but pakodas dipped in yogurt sauce. The dish is served cold with a combination of sweet, sour, and hot chutneys. Spices like chaat masala, red chili powder, roasted cumin powder, and sev are used to garnish the dish and add to its taste.
13. Tamatar Chutney
The spicy, sweet, and tangy taste of this chutney makes it a hot favourite of many. This chutney is prepared using tomatoes, onions, and garlic and pairs well with jeera rice, plain paranthas, and aaloo paranthas. In most of the dhabas of Haryana, you will be able to savour this chutney.
14. Kachri Chutney
This delicious chutney is made from wild cucumbers known by the name of kachri. Kachris resemble tiny watermelons in look and are locally grown in the state. The use of curd, red chilies, and garlic gives this chutney a spicy and tangy flavour and taste.
Desserts of Haryana
15. Malpua
This famous dessert is known to all. In Haryana, malpuas are made during every festival. These fluffy sweet pancakes are soft and fluffy, are fried in ghee, glazed with sugar syrup, garnished with chopped pistachios, and served with rabri, a sweet dish made from condensed milk.
16. Alsi Ki Pinni
You need not be a cuisine expert to prepare this dish. Flax seeds and wheat flour are the two main ingredients in this dish. The other ingredients are sugar, dry fruits, and a generous amount of ghee. You need to cook all the ingredients together, and when the mixture is dry, you need to remove it from the flame and let it cool. Then you can roll the mixture into small laddoos. That makes the famous Aisi ki Pinni.
17. Bhura Roti Ghee
In every Haryani household, this simple sweet dish is prepared often. This delicacy is prepared from leftover rotis, ghee, and bhura or powdered sugar. This humble sweet dish is usually served at the end of meals.
18. Meethe Chawal
Meethe Chawal is a renowned sweet dish in Haryana served mainly during special occasions or weddings. Basmati rice is mainly used in this recipe and basmati rice, we all know, is widely produced in the state. The rice needs to be soaked for a few hours after which the rice needs to be drained of moisture thoroughly to give it the desired fluffiness. Lots of ghee, sugar, saffron, and cardamom powder are used in this dish to give it a rich aroma and delectable colour. Often, meethe chawal is served as an after-meal sweet dish to the guests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which Are The Most Common Beverages Of Haryana?
Ans. Lassi, Thandai, and Chaas or buttermilk are the most common beverages used in the state.
Q2. Why Curd Or Yogurt Is Used In Most Haryani Recipes?
Ans. Curd or Yogurt is widely used in most of the dishes of Haryana. The use of curd offers the typical tangy twist to the dishes of Haryana and plays an important role in defending the body against the heat of an arid region.
Q3. What Are The Common Spices Used In Haryana Cuisine?
Ans. The most common spices used in the cuisine of Haryana include red chili powder, dry mango powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, mustard and cumin seeds, whole red chilies, and garlic cloves.
The Takeaway
So, now you know what the major foods of Haryana are. The simple way of life of the people of the state reflects in their cuisine. The food varieties in the state range from spicy masala rotis to healthy sabzis and mouth-watering desserts. If you are a true foodie, you will understand what it means to experience the various foods of Haryana. Spiciness and tanginess are the two major elements defining the food of Haryana. Therefore, next time you visit the state do not miss any of these recipes!