Uttarakhand, situated amidst majestic mountains, has something special for both tourists and locals to explore. From its ancient temples to its picturesque rivers, this region truly caters to everyone’s tastes.
Uttarakhand is renowned for its delicious rice dishes, but the state also produces plenty of millets and pseudo-grains that rival the popular staple. Explore some lesser-known delights from Uttarakhand today!
Baadi
Baadi is a delectable dish from Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region that’s perfect when you don’t have time to prepare an elaborate meal. Not only is it filling and nutritious, but its convenience also allows it to be consumed when one doesn’t have much time for cooking.
Enjoy this delectable treat in no time! All that needs to be done is boil some water and add buckwheat flour. After it cools, stir in some ghee before serving.
Uttarakhand’s most beloved dish, Sarson Bhattacharya is low in calories and perfect for those looking to live a healthier lifestyle. Enjoy this nutritious dish as the main course or as an accompaniment with other nutritious items from your pantry!
This nutritious and delicious dish can be quickly made in under 15 minutes – ideal for when you’re feeling lazy or don’t have much time to cook.
Baadi, also known as boiling rice, gets its name from being boiled in water. Not only is this type of grain an excellent source of iron and fiber, but it can be a healthier alternative to fried rice.
If you are visiting Uttarakhand, make sure to try this delectable dish at least once! Made with mandua or buckwheat flour, it has an abundance of nutritional benefits.
Another popular dish in Uttarakhand is Phaanu. This lentil soup boasts an array of flavors and ingredients that provide it with therapeutic qualities. Not only is it healthy and delicious, but it can be enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike.
This dish’s primary component is lentils, but it’s also served with a delicious chutney to add extra flavor. Plus, this nutritious dish contains plenty of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for extra nutrition.
Uttarakhand’s most beloved dish, pithkadal is a nutritious and easily-prepared alternative to fried rice that can be enjoyed by all ages and health levels. With its simple preparation process, pithkadal makes for an excellent lunch or dinner choice.
This dish is composed of lentils and buckwheat flour, offering a satisfying taste and being an excellent option for vegetarians looking to incorporate protein and fiber into their diets.
Dubuk
Dubuk is one of Uttarakhand’s most beloved dishes, made with local pulses. Enjoy this soup during winters alongside hot steaming rice for an unbeatable meal!
Dubuk is not only nutritious, but it has an irresistible flavor as well. A must-try during your trip to South Korea!
Dubuk is a traditional Kumaoni preparation made with local pulses like Gahat and Bhatt. After being soaked overnight, these dals are ground into a paste and cooked with powdered spices in an iron pot.
The mixture is then served in the form of a stew and typically accompanied by pakoras – dumplings made from gram flour. Not only does this dish provide plenty of protein and minerals, but it’s also packed full of essential vitamins and minerals.
This dish is a popular staple in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region and made with dals like chainsoo, arhar and green mung. These lentils are simmered in a tomato-based sauce that incorporates ghee for an easy digestion experience.
Kumaon region of Uttarakhand must-try this dish for its protein content and it pairs perfectly with spices like curry leaves and ginger. It’s an ideal way to get your daily serving of protein!
Dubuk is a beloved dish in Uttarakhand that’s both tasty and straightforward to make. This versatile dish can serve as either the main course or side dish for any meal.
Uttarakhand’s other popular dishes include Kaphuli, which is a spinach and fenugreek dish cooked in an iron skillet. It’s healthy food that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.
Another dish popular in the state is Singori, a delectable dessert served in molu leaf for added flavour.
Another must-try delicacy in Uttarakhand is Arsa. This candy dish is delicious and provides energy, making it a traditional delicacy enjoyed on all festivals and special occasions.
Chainsoo
Uttarakhand Cuisine is renowned for its tantalizing blend of aromatic spices. People from around the globe come to India to indulge in its delectable flavours.
Uttarakhand offers a diverse array of traditional recipes, such as Gulgula, Arsa, Jhangore ki Kheer and Phanu.
Gulgula is an irresistible North Indian snack or dessert made with jaggery and wheat flour. This dish has become quite popular throughout many parts of North India.
Dessert can be delicious and healthful at the same time. Nutmeg contains high amounts of protein and minerals – essential nutrients for human bodies – that help cure illnesses like diarrhea, constipation and abdominal cramps. Plus, those looking to increase energy levels will find this dessert beneficial as well.
Additionally, drinking olive oil regularly can improve your skin complexion as it contains essential vitamins and nutrients for healthy skin. Regular consumption helps prevent pimples, dark spots, tans, and sunburn by providing essential antioxidants.
Chainsoo’s primary ingredient is black gram daal (urad dal). This nutritious dish provides plenty of protein, iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus for maximum wellbeing.
This dal is rich in fiber and considered an excellent digestive aid. Additionally, it helps regulate your blood sugar level and manage diabetes.
Additionally, it reduces the risk of heart diseases due to its high amount of magnesium and potassium that are beneficial for cardiovascular health. Studies have even found that taking magnesium with potassium helps protect against heart attacks and atherosclerosis.
Chainsoo also provides significant bone strengthening benefits. It contains high amounts of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium – essential minerals for strong bones – which may help prevent osteoporosis and fractures.
Chainsoo can be easily made at home by roasting urad dal over low flame for about 3-5 minutes and then grinding it into a coarse powder.
This nutritious dal can be consumed by both men and women alike. Packed full of both soluble and insoluble fiber, it aids digestion and prevents various health problems. Plus, its high iron content boosts energy levels significantly. Furthermore, as a diuretic, it eliminates uric acid, excess water, fat, and calcium from your system.
Chappaties
Chapaties are an Indian flatbread often served as a side dish to spicy curry dishes. Made of wheat flour, they can be stuffed with vegetables and other ingredients for added flavor and nutrition. Chapatis come in various forms; some steamed or baked while others are deep-fried for crispiness.
When cooking chapatis, it’s essential to keep the heat low so that the bread doesn’t burn or become dry. Spray your skillet with cooking oil before beginning to cook the chapati and make sure you flip once bubbles appear. Once fully cooked, your chapati should puff up and become firm.
Chapathis can be enjoyed in a variety of forms: rolled into balls, steamed or fried. While they’re traditionally eaten at breakfast time in many cultures, chapatis have also become popular during dinnertime in some.
Chapatis are made with all-purpose flour, salt, water and oil. For variety you can add cheese, eggs or grated veggies to the dough before kneading it for smoothness that won’t dry out when shaping into flatbreads.
Once the dough has been kneaded, divide it into even-sized balls and roll them out into round chapatis. You can either use a rolling pin or wooden board; just remember to lift up each ball occasionally as you roll and rotate slightly anticlockwise.
Once the chapatis are heated through on a griddle or tava, you should notice small white bubbles appear on the surface. After about 30 seconds, flip them over and cook on the other side; after about a minute or two, your chapatis should puff up and turn light brown spots.
Chapatis make for an excellent side dish to any meal, and they pair particularly well with curries. Additionally, they’re an economical way to use up leftover rice and can be combined with various vegetable stews and soups.
For a fast and effortless chapati recipe, try this dairy-free alternative. It’s the ideal flatbread to mop up curry sauce without missing out on its signature flavor or texture.