Dehradun, referred to as the love city, is also famous for its delicious and lovely food. This city is the capital of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand comprises Garhwal and Kumaon regions, which have different varieties of healthy and delicious foods. These foods include til ki chutney, bhang ki chutney, arsa, gulgula, kafuli, etc. Each of these foods has its importance and is different from others in taste and method of preparation.
1.Til Ki Chutney
It is the prime feast of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is made from safed Til, pudina lemon. It is very healthy and nutritious to suit the high energy needs of hilly and cold areas. Unique in winter, have tasty nature with Tor Ki Dal Bhaat or with Gahat ke paranthe. It can also be served with various snacks.
2.Thechwani
The way this dish is prepared can be judged by its name. The dish is made by crushing potato radish with a tadka of jakhiya seeds. Cumin powder, red chilies, chopped onions, and tomatoes make this dish delicious. It can be eaten with rice or chapatti.
3.Kandali Saag
A green leafy vegetable dish, this finger-licking dish is prepared by obtaining the fine pulp by boiling Kandali, which is further cooked on low flame. The look and taste of the dish enhance when garnished with tomato and butter. It might seem a little hard to prepare, but you can’t resist it once it’s ready. The leaves are locally known as ‘Bichhu Ghas’ since it has many spines.
4.Mandua Ki Roti
Mandua Ki Roti is a staple food in many parts of North India. Mandua Ki Roti refers to chapattis made from a cereal called Mandua. These chapattis are brown. Mandua Ki Roti is served in the main course and represents the culinary style of Uttarakhand.
5.Aloo Ke Gutke
This dish has made a special place in the hearts of Pahadis, who love devouring it with Pooris, Bhang Ki Chutney, and Kumaoni Raita. It is a traditional dish that requires simple ingredients, such as mustard oil, basic spices, and boiled potatoes. It takes significantly less time to make and is thus quite popular among the masses.
6.Bal Mithai
A trendy sweet dish, particularly in Kumaon, prepared from Khoya (condensed milk) and decorated with small white sugar balls. This sweet is prepared on different occasions. This is considered a signature sweet of Uttarakhand, very much in demand.
7.Bhatwani
One of the famous dishes of Uttarakhand, Bhatwani, can be cooked with or without gravy and is generally cooked using Bhat (a variety of soybean). It is a rich source of protein. Just fry these bhats in an iron kadhai with some oil gram flour, add spices, garlic, and water, and it’s ready to be served.
8.Jhangore Ki Kheer
Jhangora ki Kheer is a sweet dish made from Jhangora. It is pretty famous among people because of its rich texture and taste. It also has high nutritional value. The recipe is similar to Kheer with milk, Jhangora, and nuts.
9.Chainsoo
Chainsoo is a popular dish from Garhwal, and its main ingredient is Urad or Kali Dal (whole). It has high protein content along with other nutrients. To prepare this dish, roast the lentils and make a fine paste. Transfer the mixture into an iron pot, and stir it on the low flame until it’s ready to serve. This tastes like heaven with garlic and chili tadka.
10. Bhang Ki Chutney
Making our mouth water with its tangy tamarind taste, this famous sauce of Uttarakhand is Prepared with roasted Bhang seeds (Hemp Seeds), cumin seeds (Sauf) garlic leaves mixed with Lemon juice. When served with the traditional Pahadi items, it enhances their taste, and it is served on most occasions.
11. Urad Dal Ke Pakode
Urad Dal Pakoras are made every single time during a festival, wedding, or any important function. To make this dish, black lentils are soaked overnight, and a fine paste is made after straining water. Then chopped onions, coriander leaves, chilies, jeera powder, garam masala, and salt are added for taste. Small balls are prepared by applying water on the palms and then flattened and coated with sesame seeds. Deep fried in oil, it is ready to serve. Enjoy soft and spongy Pakoras with chutney or chai.
12.Arsa
It is a local sweet made from jaggery, rice, and mustard oil. It is served at
every pahadi wedding. For preparing this dish soak the rice for 3-4 hours. Tie
the rice into cloth after straining water from it. Grind the rice into fine
powder. Boil jaggery in water and prepare a thick syrup. Mix the powdered
rice with jaggery syrup. Prepare dough and make soft round balls. Deep fry
the balls in mustard oil and soak the extra oil using paper towels.
13. Kafuli
Made from spinach and fenugreek leaves (low in fat and cholesterol) and cooked in an iron kadhai, kafuli is complimented by hot steaming rice. Finely chopped boiled spinach is cooked with spice and curd and thickened with rice paste. The taste is further increased by slow-fire cooking. Salt and spices are added to improve its flavor. For preparing gravy, a paste is made out of rice or wheat, and then water is added for a liquid texture. Kafuli is rich in zinc, protein, fiber, and Vitamins A, C, E, and K.
14. Kumaoni Raita
It is prepared from curd, turmeric, grated cucumber, green chilies, and mustard seeds. The taste of spicy mustard lingers long on your tongue, whereas the goodness of curd and cucumber becomes an asset for your digestion system. Adding more flavor to the raita is the coriander garnishing. Lastly, sprinkle some turmeric, salt, and red chili powder and garnish it with coriander leaves.
15. Singudi
Singudi is the pride of Kumaon. This toothsome sweet is made from khoya (condensed milk), which is wrapped in molu leaf. The smell of molu leaf and the taste of condensed milk, having the aroma of cardamom and coconut, will make you crave more.
16. Phannu
Phannu is prepared by mixing different lentils (including the special Gahat) soaked in water overnight.It is a soupy dish that goes best with steaming white rice. It takes a little more time to cook, but its great taste makes all the time and effort worth it.
17. Dubuk
This mouth-watering dish is generally prepared from bhatt ki dal, gahat ki dal, or arhar ki dal. It is then converted into a fine paste and is cooked on low flame. Dubuk is served with plain white rice, Bhang ki Chutney, or Muli Thechwa (crushed radish). It is also beneficial for people suffering from stomach problems.
18. Gulgula
This tempting sweet is quite popular in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. This sweet local snack prepared in Garhwal is made of wheat flour, riped banana Jaggery.
19. Garhwal Ka Fannah
This aperitive dish will satiate both your eyes and stomach. Garhwal Ka Fannah is famous for its great taste, and therefore, it is served at almost every pahadi wedding.
20. Bhatt Ki Churdkani
Bhatt Ki Churdkani is a healthy dish prepared from black Bhatt blended with rice paste and flour. Having a high nutritional value, Bhatt Ki Churdkani can be served with steamed rice. The dish contains all the essential vitamins, proteins, and minerals, so it is very beneficial for people having a deficiency of these nutrients.
