Traditional food in Himachal pradesh | Rakkh luxury resort in himachal pradesh
Nestled at the feet of the great Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh is a place of beauty beyond imagination. The scenic views and abundant flora and fauna of this place are sure to remain in your fondest memories for years to come. But one thing that will have you coming back again and again to this place is its cuisine. With a rich culture and history, Himachal Pradesh boasts a wide array of dishes and drinks that these hills have participated in developing. The palette of the people here is saturated with local produce and ingredients. Traditional Food in Himachal Pradesh is quite influenced by Punjabi cuisine and is home to many vegetarians and the cuisine reflects that: the cuisine is vegetarian, with a focus on the vegetables, spices, and herbs found in the region. Although there is a lot of meat and fish, the cuisine is largely vegetarian. Indian mutton (goat), chicken, mutton, fish, and beef are found in all of the dishes of the hills. However, the major meats that are used in the hills are buckwheat, eggs, pumpkin, cauliflower, tomato, potato, raisins, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, saffron, black pepper, and fennel.
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The Culture The history of Himachal Pradesh is, in a way, intertwined with the indigenous and local foods of the region. Local vegetables, meats and spices, even wheat and rice, are used liberally in Himachali dishes. It is to be noted that all vegetables and herbs grown locally are in abundance here. Thus, it is very common to see a Himachali home serving both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes on the same plate. Himachalis also have a unique culture of hospitality. For a simple meal, you do not need to dine in fancy, plush hotels. Himachal Pradesh is a place with no formal languages. However, different dialects have developed in the state, of which the easiest to understand would be the Himachali language, based on the Kangra dialect of Punjabi.
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The Cuisine Historically, Himachal Pradesh was dependent on the Rajas of Punjab. The hills had nothing to offer but the mountains which were quickly lost in the rampaging waves of time. This led the residents to earn a living by exporting goods from here to other parts of the country. But things changed in the 1970s when Himachal was suddenly gifted with a lot of mineral-rich resources. This gave a boost to the market of mountain produce. Most of the locals are involved in the production of Himachali cheese and Himachali sherbet. Here you will also find unique mushroom varieties which find use as a component in local cuisine. But there is much more that you can enjoy! Most people love to head out to the village to cook traditional dishes and sip on local cold drinks.
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With all the amazing memories that Himachal Pradesh holds, the Traditional food will be right up there with the best! The locals are fond of preserving nature and food is one way they do that. They grow the local produce that comprises the vegetables and herbs that we are familiar with. The taste of this local food in Himachal Pradesh is distinct and extremely tasty! Even for someone who doesn’t know much about Himachali cuisine, a drive through the various local grocery stores in the lower hills of the state will make one believe that the food here is truly special. For most, this state holds the best local honey, kheer, and the famous red berries that are so famous in the rest of the country.
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The Geography The Himachali Cuisines have evolved through a rich history, with many different regions and cultures coexisting on this land. The state of Himachal is home to eight districts. The hill state of Lahaul & Spiti is situated on the westernmost tip of India, on the Lahaul river. It is the home of the Roosha or Laoshan people, who have evolved their unique way of life on the thin strands of grass that they farm or forage in this desert. The people of this region are often referred to as shikara rishis or Rajput Kshatriya brahmins. The Traditional food of Himachal is very different from other regions of India. There are many indigenous cuisines here from all over the country but the most famous are – Jammu’s Mughlai Cuisine, Himachal’s own Garhwali cuisine, Punjab’s Chhole Bhature and Mughlai vegetarian, Himachal’s Sal leaf chutney and indigenous apple pomace buttermilk, Himachal’s unique Basmati rice and now global cuisine. Apart from this various food preparation and cooking techniques and specialities, these ingredients are also used for creating delicious desserts. The most popular are – Low-Fat and low-calorie potatoes, Himachali apples, chikki, butter buns, raw milk cottage cheese etc.
The Holidays, Festivals, and Culture Himachal’s rich culture and tradition play an important role in the richness of its local dishes. The regions of the state also celebrate a lot of festivals like Jain Holi, Saraswati Puja, Makar Sankranti, Mahashivratri, Dusherra, Dasara, Akshaya Tritiya, Ganga Puja, Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, Teej, Holi, Kartika Purnima, Buddha Purnima, Maghi Puja, Easter, Rakshabandhan, and Holi again. The cuisines of this region are primarily based on rice, wheat, millet, potatoes, and vegetables. It is also the largest producer of apples in the country. The tea plantations, however, give these areas a special flavour in terms of their beverages. The region boasts of a number of spices and herbs, which are used to make some of the best cuisines in the country. Now, we all have our own idea of what ‘Himachali Cuisine’ is. While this may vary from one place to another, we do know that there are some common ingredients that do make their way to our kitchens.
Some Himachali dishes you may want to try are – Madra: Specifically prepared in the regions of Kangra district, this is a chickpea and vegetable-based dish made with creamy yoghurt gravy and spices. Served on a bed of rice, this is the quintessential dish of Himachal Pradesh.
Tudkiya Bhaat: This Pahadi Pulav from the Chamba region of Himachal is comforting and spicy. Rice is cooked with various spices and potatoes to create a warm plate of deliciousness. Bhey: This spicy stir-fried dish prepared with thinly cut lotus stems is found all over the state and enjoyed even as a curry.
Chha Gosht: A must-have for the non-vegetarians, this is a lamb-based curry prepared in spicy yoghurt gravy and it is finger-licking good.
Mittha: We could not resist finishing it off without a desert. Mittha is Himachali sweet rice that is full of dry fruits and is prepared on special occasions.
Rakkh, Luxury Resort in Palampur offer fantastic Himachali cuisine in their in-house restaurants. You may even find some additions on the menu that you may have never seen before, do not shy away from trying those. Traditional Food in Himachal Pradesh will surprise and satisfy your tastebuds and soul. So next time you plan to visit, do make sure to add these dishes and more to your itinerary. https://recipes.timesofindia.com/