Pahadon ka khana

Each region has its own cuisine that leaves us craving for more. During the lockdown, many of us honed our “inner-chefs” and cooked dishes from different cuisines. If you’re someone who’s looking for a change, and willing to go beyond the comforts of Mughlai food, then pahaadi food is just for you.

Dham Thali. Image source: Himachal Media

Himachali cuisine

"Mumma, why can't we have Maggi? All my friends have had pahadi Maggi and momos. Even I want to eat some. What's with the rajma and madru that you and Nani want me to have?" Laila pouted from the backseat, where she sat with her arms crossed.

Her mother smiled at her. ‘Pre-teens,’ she thought. "Madra, not madru", her mother gently corrected.

Laila looked out of the window and fell asleep at the sight of the lush fields. As Naina saw her daughter sleeping, she thought about Himachali food. Being in a big city like Delhi made her shed a few of her characteristics. Her life revolved more around fast food and Mughlai food than the sattvic meals she'd eaten as a child. Naina missed the simplicity of the food.

Her friend, Anjali, a food critic, asked her, "Tell me something about Himachali cuisine. Is it true you guys don't eat meats?"

Naina chuckled, "Silly, whoever told you we don't have meat? Himachali cuisine is very simple. The clean palate pleases everyone. It's easy on your stomach and packs a punch for your tastebuds. I'm telling you, if people in Delhi knew about Himachali cuisine, they'd stop craving unhealthy food all the time."

Anjali shifted in her seat and looked astonishingly at her friend, ready to debate with anyone.

Siddu. Image source: The Hindu

"Arrey, you don't know Anjali. Himachalis have so many varieties of bread. Instead of naan and tandoori roti, we have *Siddu, Babru, and Baturu. Siddus are eaten with ghee and can be sweet or savoury. And the crispy *babru eaten with chutney could give the kachoriwala a run for his money. Then we also have Aktori, which is like a pancake and is prepared during festivals."

Anjali felt her tummy rumble and took out a sandwich. "What else do you guys have?" she asked as she chewed through her first bite.

"Pahaadi food has vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Madra is the name given to all curry-based dishes. There is the Kaale chane ka khatta and aloo chana madra that almost all of Himachal loves. Rice, Rajma, chana, and lentils are prepared daily. They are household staples. My favourite dish is bhey, or thinly sliced spicy lotus stems cooked in ginger-garlic and spices, and Tukdiya Bhaat is a pulao unique to Himachal Pradesh.

Chha Gosht. Image source: Times Food

Non-vegetarians have to try the Chha Gosht. The lamb is marinated in spices and cooked in gram and yoghurt gravy enhanced by spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaf, you know, Khada masala makes everything better.

Then there is the Kullu trout which is a very healthy dish. It is prepared with minimal spices to keep the natural flavour and nutrients of trout intact. We have it with boiled vegetables. "

Naina realized all this talk of food had made her hungry and the two girls laughed as Naina's tummy roared with hunger. Luckily, they reached her mom's place just in time.

Laila skipped out of the car and ran to her Nani. Naina and Anjali stepped out and breathed in the clean air. Anjali had practically become a member of Naina's family.

When they went inside and freshened up for dinner, they saw that Naina's mother had prepared a dham for them. Naina had forgotten how delicious the food was when prepared by the botis. From madra, siddu, bhey, and Chha gosht to momos, thentuk and thukpa- the girls ate to their hearts’ content. Laila finally got to eat the madra and “pahadi momos.”

Made from Arbi leaves, Besan, and spices. Image source: Pinterest

The dinner ended with the sweet *Mittha, a traditional sweet dish that is served on special occasions made of sweetened rice and dry fruits. Before going to bed, they chatted over a cup of chai, while preparing *Patrode.

Himachali cuisine is a celebration of everyday ingredients. It is rustic, nutritious, and so delicious. Though most of the food prepared for celebration is sattvic, many people also enjoy the Tibetan food and non-vegetarian varieties. If you're looking for a change of taste, you must try pahaadi food.

Devanshee Author

I don't have any favourites, I just happen to like some people and things a little more than everyone and everything else. I daydream as much as I panic (something that happens a lot). I'm very nice, extremely amazing, and I have a lot of patience, but If you ever tell me that you think feminism is bullshit, rajma-chawal is overrated, climate change is not worrying, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are amazing, not eating sugary food is worth it, and boldly say "Yaar history padhke kya hi karoge"- I'll smack your face to guatemala. Other than that, i'm the nicest person you'll ever meet :)

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