Punjabi cuisine is the most authentic and classic cuisine of our Indian traditions. Without a doubt, this renowned Punjabi cuisine is responsible for the expanding global appeal of Indian foods. It is famous because of its earthy, spicy, and exotic flavors. The prominent use of tandoor in Punjabi cuisine gives them a smoky and aromatic taste. From bread to sweet dishes, Punjabi food is gaining everybody’s hearts. So, let’s see easy Punjabi food recipes for beginners.
1.Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is a classic authentic Punjabi dish. It is also known as chicken makhani or murgh makhani because of its aromatic, and buttery gravy. Hung card, butter, boneless chicken, tomato puree, ginger-garlic paste, dried fenugreek leaves, garam masala, and other ingredients are combined to make this recipe. Butter chicken can be served with tandoori naan, plain basmati rice, roti, etc. You can also mix cashews or almonds and heavy cream to get a thick rich gravy.
2.Aloo Paratha
Aloo paratha is a famous stuffed Indian bread with a filling of spicy potato mixture known as ‘’aloo chokha’. This aloo chokha includes spices such as Kashmiri red chili powder, garam masala, chaat masala, ajwain, dried fenugreek leaves, and other ingredients. You can also add onions in aloo stuffing to make it more delicious. People enjoy aloo partha with curd, green chutney, and tomato soup.
3.Rajma
Rajma is a spicy and delicious Punjabi curry dish made with kidney beans, garlic cloves, butter, ginger, cumin seeds, kasuri methi, asafoetida(hing), chopped onions and tomatoes, etc. Rajma is considered a good source of protein for those who have weak heart problems. It can be served with rice or roti as a main-course healthy vegetarian meal.
4.Chole Masala
Chole masala is one of the classic Punjabi dishes which is popular because of its spicy taste. It is frequently paired with bhatura or rice. Chickpeas, cinnamon, cardamom, finely chopped onions and tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, and other ingredients are combined to make this recipe.
5.Lassi
Lassi is a sweet and creamy Indian beverage. It consists of plain yogurt, water, and ice cubes. Lassi comes in a variety of flavors, including mint flavor lassi, mango lassi, Punjabi sweet rose lassi, chocolate lassi, and so on. You can add rooh afza, saffron, falooda, and almonds to make it more flavorful and tasty.
6.Sarson Ka Saag
Sarson ka sang is a unique authentic Punjabi curry dish. It includes mustard greens (sarson), bathua leaves, spinach leaves, chopped radish leaves, chopped onions, tomatoes, red chili powder, and other ingredients. Sarson ka sang is considered one of the healthiest recipes because of its vitamins like B1, B3, and other sources of proteins.
7.Makki Ki Roti
Makki ki roti is a famous Indian flatbread made with corn meal or maize flour, carom seeds, and hot water. It is popular among Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and many other States of India. Makki ki roti is often served with sarson ka saag, palak saag, chane ka saag, etc.
8.Paneer Tikka
Paneer tikka is a delicious appetizer for parties and any other events. Paneer tikka is made by migrating small chunks of paneer, and also adding vegetables like onions and capsicums into a mixture of thick hung curd with spices such as red chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder, chaat masala, garam masala, etc. It is roasted in an air fryer and oven, but if you use tandoor then, it will give an exotic and smoky flavor to the paneer tikka. It should be served hot with coriander chutney or mint chutney to get a tasty flavor.
9.Dal Makhani
Dal makhani is a popular Punjabi dish made with whole black lentils, red kidney bean, unsalted butter, onions, tomato puree, heavy cream, and spices like kasuri methi, red chili powder, bay leaf, cardamoms, and other ingredients. It is paired with basmati rice, tandoori naan, butter naan, roti, or chapati, while serving dal makhani you can adorn it with coriander leaves, butter, or cream. In some parts of Punjab, it is traditionally prepared on coal or wood for long hours to get a smoky flavor.
10.Baigan Bharta
If you like eggplant (baingan) then, you can try this yummy recipe. Baingan bharta is a classic Punjabi dish consisting of roasted baingan, onions, garlic, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, and herbs. You can roast or grill baingan on a stovetop, tandoor, or air fryer. Baingan bharta is a super delicious recipe famous in many states of India including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and many other states with different names.
11.Lahsuni Palak Chawal
Lahsuni palak chawal, also known as garlic spinach rice is a quick and easy rice dish to make at home. It has a vibrant and spicy flavor. Spinach puree, steamed rice, chopped onions, tomatoes and garlic, ginger-green chili paste, etc are mixed to make this delicious recipe. Lahsuni palak chawal is specially made during the winter season.
12. Bread Pakora
Bread pakora is a deep-fried quick appetizer for any occasion. It is an easy recipe for beginners who wants to try something yummy and savory. Bread slices, oil, potatoes, curry leaves, a pinch of asafoetida, green chilies, and herbs are combined to make this recipe. Bread pakora is mostly enjoyed with green coriander chutney or ketchup as a breakfast or evening meal.
13.Gajar Ka Halwa
This traditional sweet and yummy dessert recipe originated in Punjab. Gajar ka halwa is mostly preferred during the winter season. It is easy to make a recipe because of ingredients like grated carrots, whole milk, sugar, ghee, raisins, and some chopped cashews and almonds. Gajar ka halwa is very popular in north India during festivals or for some special occasions.
14.Aloo Matar
Aloo Matar is one of the simplest spicy and most flavorful recipes for beginners. It is mainly originated in Punjab. Potatoes, peas, chopped onions and tomatoes, ginger, garlic, heavy cream, and spices like red chili powder, asafoetida, turmeric powder, garam masala, etc. Are used to make this recipe of aloo matar. Aloo matar can be made in two ways one is in a gravy base and another one is a dry roasted base. It should be served with roti, plain rice, or poori.
15.Wadi Chawal
This Punjabi-style delicious rice recipe is better for beginners who want something simple to make at home. Wadi chawal is made with basmati rice, crushed urad dal wadi, bay leaf, green chilies, cloves, cinnamon, cumin seeds, cardamom, garam masala, and other ingredients. In Amritsar, it is also called as wadiyan wala chawal. Wadi chawal is considered one of the healthiest meals for the whole family.
16.Paneer Bhurji
Paneer bhurji is a classic and easy-to-make recipe for beginners. It is made with cottage cheese, onions, tomatoes, fresh cream, ginger-garlic paste, capsicum, butter, and other ingredients. Paneer bhurji should be adorned with freshly chopped coriander leaves and served hot with paratha or roti. You can squeeze some lemon juice on it.
17.Bhindi Masala
Bhindi masala is a delicious and healthiest vegetarian recipe with a blend of flavorful spices. Bhindi masala is easy to make as it requires a few ingredients such as lady fingers, chopped onions, tomatoes, cumin seeds, silt green chili, red chili powder, ginger-garlic paste, etc. Bhindi masala goes well with roti or paratha.
18.Amritsari Fish Fry
Amritsari fish fry is a super easy-to-make fish appetizer in Punjabi cuisine. It is a delicious and unique combination of fish with flavorful spices and herbs such as chaat masala, red chili powder, kasuri methi, turmeric, etc. Amritsari fish is not only famous as street food in Amritsar, but it also serves as a side dish in restaurants.
19.Amritsari Kulcha
Amritsari kulcha is a famous traditional leavened flat Indian bread found in Punjab. Its dough is prepared with maida, butter, baking powder, sugar, salt, and water as required and then stuffed with a filling of potatoes, onions, ginger, kasoori methi, coriander leaves, ginger, and other ingredients. Kulcha goes well with dal makhani, chole, butter masala paneer or butter chicken, etc.
20.Punjabi Mutton Curry
This rich and extravagant curry with a blend of mouth-bursting flavors of spices is easy to make in a home recipe. Punjabi Mutton curry is a classic combination of sour, spicy, and tangy flavors at the same time. It is made with mutton, ginger-garlic paste, hung curd dry red chilies, cloves, chopped onion, garlic and tomatoes, potatoes, and other ingredients. It goes best with missi roti, naan, or steamed rice.
