Bhojpuri cuisine
 |
| This article is part of the series |
| Indian cuisine |
|---|
|
Regional cuisines
|
|
Ingredients / types of food |
|
See also
|
|
Related Cuisines
|
|
Bhojpuri cuisine is a part of North Indian cuisine, is a style of food preparation common amongst the Bhojpuri people living in bhojpuri region of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Bhojpuri food are mostly mild in term of spices used and are less hot but could be more hotter and spicier as par the dish prepared or according to the taste bud of peoples. The food is teller made for Bhojpuri lifestyle in which the rural folk burn up a lot of calories in the fields. Bhojpuri people take pride in celebrating various festivals and practices various religious rites, and as a result, their food resembles the delicacies offered to deities. Generally Bhojpuri peoples enjoy eating both veg and non-veg dishes. Bhojpuri cuisine is heavily influenced by Mughlai and its neighbouring Awadhi cuisines. Unlike western perception, which is, any Indian gravy dish is called curry, Bhojpuri cuisine traces no history with use of curry powder or leaves and the rich gravy dishes of this region, in fact whole North India, where curry leaf is an alien spice, can be considered stews, rather than curries.
Staple Diet
Wheat and Rice are the staple diet of majority of the peoples. Lentils (Daal), Beans (Lobiya, Rajma), Meat (mutton,lamb and chicken. Beef and pork are avoided), green Vegetable (Sabzi), leafy Vegetables (Saag), Paneer, freshwater Prawns (Jhinga) and Fish (Machhari) are major constituent of the regular diet of the peoples.
Breakfast
Breakfast in the region is roti based and includes a variety of breads made up of whole wheat or refined wheat flour which includes roti, farautha, stuffed farauthas and is accomplised by sabzi, dahi, or raita.
On special occasions Halwa-Puri, Kheer/sevai-Puri, Pua-Dahi,Chhola-Bhatura or Naan served with any meat dish are commonly served as breakfast. A more common breakfast served as street food includes Puri-Sabzi, Kachori and Jalebi.
Lunch
Lunch is rice based and includes Chawal (boiled rice), daal (split beans like chana dal, masoor dal, moong dal, urad dal, arhar/tur dal etc. are pressure cooked with water, turmeric powder and salt), sabzi-korma (vegetable or meat cooked in rich but mildly-spicy and balanced gravy), chokha (boiled, roasted and mashed potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes are mixed with several herbs and seasoning), chutney (dhaniya ka chutney or coriander chutney is the most traditional chutney of the region with rich flavour of coriander, green chilli, garlic, lemon and mustard oil), bhujia (pan fried potatoes cut in finger shapes), achar and may also include rotis for those who prefer it over rice. On special occasions, there are several rice dishes like polao, biryani etc. are served and there several changes can be observed in the lunch, in fact can be completely changed and then it could have many delicious dishes, sweets and savouries.
Snacks
Generally served with tea, at evening time. It includes many kind of snacks mostly deep fried and salted. Most of the times, as a substitute for it, a handful and generous amount of dry fruits are eaten like kishmish (raisins), badam (almonds), khajur/chohara (dates), zameeni badam/chinia badam (peanuts), akharot (walnuts), kaju (cashews), pista (pistachios) and anjeer (dried figs) soaked in milk.
Dinner
Dinner is also roti based and is eaten with sabzi-korma and/or roti is broken into a bowl of hot milk (can be sweetened), and then eaten, it is often called doodh-roti. Sometimes, litti is grilled over charcoal or is baked in cowdung cakes or charcoal in a clay oven and is eaten with chokha or murga (chicken korma). Dinner could change at special occasion and can be replaced by meat dishes like korma (meat with gravy), kebab and kofta (meat balls with spicy gravy) and served with tandoori roti (harder than the usual pan baked roti) or naan and Salaad (salad).
Satvik Khana
There is a tradition of eating Satvik Khana (Sentient food) in the holy city of Banaras.
It is a Lacto Vegeterian diet and excludes the uses of garlic and onion. It is mostly observed by the Brahmins and Pandits.
Essentials
Spices & Condiments
Amount of spices used in cooking are very few and sometimes can be just two or three kind of spices, which imparts a perfect aroma and taste, rather than putting all spices together and making the dish very spicy and hot. Among these spices, a few of them are used in any particular dish.
- Cumin seed (Zeera)
- Caraway seed (Shahi Zeera)
- Cinnamon (Darchini)
- Aniseed (Saunf)
- Black pepper (Kala Marcha)
- Asafoetida (Hing)
- Garam Masala
- Red Chilli (Laal Marcha)
- Green Chilli (Hara Marcha)
- Cardamom (Elaichi)
- Black Cardamom (Bara Elaichi)
- Nutmeg (Jaayfal)
- Mace (Javitri)
- Saffron (Kesar/Zaffran)
- Dried Pomegranate (Anardana)
- Carom seed (Ajwain)
- Fenugreek seed (Methi)
- Dried Fenugreek leaves (Kasuri Methi)
- Onion seed (Mangraila)
- Mango powder (Amchoor)
- Coriander (Dhania)
- Rose water (Gulab Jal)
- Turmeric (Hardi)
- Salt (Noon/Namak)
- Black Salt (Kala Namak)
- Rock Salt (Sendha Namak)
- Poppy seed (Khas Khas)
- Clove (Lavang)
- Mustard (Sarson)
- Bay leaf (Tejpaat)
- Dried Mango (Khatai)
- Sesame seed (Til)
- Olive (Jaitun)
- Nigella seed (Kalaunji)
Herbs, Oils & Nuts
- Green Corinder leaves (Hara Dhania patta)
- Mint leaves (Pudina patta)
- Parsley (Jafari)
- Holy Basil (Tulsi)
- Ginger (Adarakh)
- Dried Ginger (Sonth)
- Garlic (Lahsun)
- Onion (Pyaz)
- Fenugreek leaves (Methi ke patta)
- Tamarind (Imli)
- Date (Khajur)
- Lime (Limu)
- Lemon (Nimbu)
- Mustard Oil (Sarson ke tel)
- Olive Oil (Jaitun ke tel)
- Ghee (Gheev)
- Butter (Maakhan)
- Hydrolysed Vegetable Oil (Dalda)
- Almond (Badam)
- Peanut (Zameeni badam/ Chinia badam/ Mungphali)
- Walnut (Akharot)
- Cashewnut (Kaju)
- Dried Fig (Anjeer)
- Date (Khajur)
- Dried Apricot (Zardalu)
- Dried Plum (Baiir)
- Pistachios (Pista)
- Raisin (Kishmis)
- Black Raisin (Sultana)
Tools & Techniques
Common Vegetables
- Aaloo (Potato)
- Phool gobhi (Cauliflower)
- Tamatar (Tomato)
- Brinjal (Baingan)
- Bhindi (Okra)
Festival delicacies
In the region, a festival is celebrated by preparing several delicious dishes. And the dishes are shared with all communities irrespective of religion or caste.
Khichdi/Sekraat
Also called Makar Sankranti is the first festival of the year. On this day, at morning, people eat Til ke laddu, Tilwa, Tilkut and Laai. And at lunch time, Chura-Dahi-Gur is eaten. And at evening special Khichdi is served along with melted ghee, achar, papar, chokha, chutney, and dahi.
Holi/Hori/Faguwa
Holi is one of the largest festival of Bhojpuri region. On this day, meat dishes and alcoholic (beer, brandy, desi daaru, vodka)/non alcoholic drinks (thandai/bhang) are the main attraction. In large families, a Bakra/Khasi (he-goat/sheep) is bought few days before the festival, and is slaughtered on the day of festival. The backstrap and shoulder parts are cut into small pieces and marinated in garlic, onion and few spices and then skewered over charcoal to make Bihari Seekh Kebab. Liver (kaleji) is cut into small pieces and is pan fried with a little salt and pepper. And is one of the delicacies for children. While the rest part of the meat are cooked as korma. The korma is eaten with Pua (a batter of wheatflour and sugar with various dry fruits, deep fried in ghee). Meat dishes are eaten all day and the meat is also shared with neighbourers and relatives. Also a very sweet halwa made up of dry fruits, condensed milk and bhang is prepared.
At evening/night, peoples enjoy delicious Pakora, Gulab Jamun, Chhole, Dahi-baras, and Kadhi-bari served with boiled rice.
Shivraat
On this day, the persons specially women who did fasting eat Phalahar (fruit diet).
Ramnavami
It is also one of the major festival of the region. A night before this festival, women cook Kheer, Puri and Dal-Puri and next morning after worshiping, these are eaten as offering whole day.
Janmashtami
This occasion is linked with special Halwas of Singhara (Chestnut) and Khas-Khas (Poppy seeds).
Eid ul fitr
This day is known for the preparation of most delicious dishes including sweets and savouries. There are many rice and meat dishes cooked and eaten all day. "Sevaiyan" are major attraction on this day.
Teej
A day before the festival, women dedicate their whole day in preparing Perukia. And on the day of this festival, they offer this dessert and fruits to the God and after the worshiping, it is eaten as offering. It can be eaten for several days as it doesn't require preservation or refrigeration.
Navraat and Dassahara
Satvik khana is eaten on all the nine days of Puja. And on tenth day i.e., Dussehra special dishes like Puri, Kachori, Dum-Aloo, Chhole, Jalebi Pua, Bari-Kadhi, Dahi-Bara, etc. are cooked. At evening after "Ravan-Dahan", there is tradition of meat eating.
Bakrid
On this day various kind of meat dishes, biryanis, barbecues, kebabs, koftas etc. are prepared and shared with peoples of all communities.
Diwali
This is one of the largest festival of the region and people enjoy eating numerous kind of sweets and savouries.
Chhath Puja
It is the largest festival of this region. It is celebrated 3 consecutive days. On first day "Nahay Khay", after the holy bath in river, boiled small grain "arwa chawal" is eaten with lauki ki sabzi (bottlegourd sautéd in ghee and li'l rock salt is added and cooked till done) and "Chane ki dal". On second day "Kharna", people take dip in holy Ganges and take the water home to cook Kheer (jaggery is used in place of sugar) and Puri. And is eaten as Prasad at night. Next day on "Dala Chhath" Thekua and belgrami is prepared by the women who are on fasting. After both the "Arghyas", on the fourth day, these sweets along with several fruits and dry fruits are served as Prasad. And is eaten for several days.
Dishes
Some dishes popular in Bhojpuri cuisine include:
- Channa (chickpeas)
- Rajma (red kidney beans)
- Lobiya (black eyed bean)
- Dal makhani
- Dal maharani
- Dum Aloo
- Urad ka daal
- Chokha (roasted tomatoes, roasted aubergine roasted potatoes, roasted brinjals mixed with garlic chilly and raw mustard oil)
- Raita
- Kofta
- Maakuni (Paratha stuffed with cooked potatoes or yellow/green peas or sattu)
- Aloo matar
- Kadhi-Bari
- Mutton Biryani
- Bihari kebab
- Gulab Jamun
- Pooa (A lot of Verities available)
- Petha (locally called Bhatuapag)
- Murabba
- Mardua and Thekua
- Anarsa
- Dalpoori
- Litti (Bati-stffed with sattu)
- Nimona (made of green peas)
- Ghugni (Made with green peas or sprouted black gram)
- Dahi chooda (Curd and chooda)
- Daal pithouri (Dalpiththee)
- Gojha (stuffed with Daal and cooked in steam)
- Gujhiya
- Mal Pua
- Padukiya
- Laktho
- bharwa
- Nimki
- Kachauri
- Sev
- Dalmot
- Chana ke saag
- Sarson ke saag
- Bathua ke saag
- Palak saag
- Khesari ke saag
Bread
- Roti
- Parantha
- Stuffed Paranthe (Aloo Parantha, Sattu Parantha)
- Naan
- Stuffed Naan
- Litti
- Poori
- Kachori
- Mughalai Parantha
- Rumali Roti (used in rolling up Bihari kebab, together with called Paranthe Kebab or Bihari rolls)
- Pua (considered a dessert)
- Thekua (considered a dessert or a biscuit like snack)
- Tandoori roti
- Kulcha
- Bhatoora
Desserts
- Rasmalai
- Chandrakala
- Khajhulee
- Meethe Samose
- Batasha
- Halwa, generally of Soozi (Semolina), Gajar (Carrot), Besan (Chickpea flour), Atta (Whole wheat flour), Singhara (Chestnut), Doodhi (Bottle gourd), Badam (Almond), Khas khas (Poppy seeds)
- Sohan halwa
- Laddoo (made up of besan, motichur, bundi, gond, mewe etc.)
- Barfi
- Gulab Jamun
- Methi Ke Laddoo (esp. during winters)
- Tilwa (esp. during winters)
- Til ki Laai
- Tilkut
- Parwal ki Mithai
- Jalebi
- Belgrami (A dry sweet made up of Maida, Sugar and Ghee)
- Pedukia/Murki A dry sweet made up of Maida and stuffed with mixture of Khowa/fried Soozi (Semolina, sauted in little Ghee) and Sugar and then fried.
- Ghujhia (Pedukia dipped in sugar syrup)
- Laktho (A dry and hard sweet, made up of Maida and Jaggery and seasoned with aniseed)
- Malai Kofta
- Pua
- Malpua
- Sev-Bunia (Bundia)
- Kulfi
Drinks
- Khas Sharbat
- Lassi
- Nimbu Paani
- Sattu Paani
- Ganne/Ookh ka Ras (Sugarcane juice)
- Aam ke panna (during hot summer)
Snacks
- Pakauri (many varieties available)
- Kachori
- Chaat
- Aloo Tikki
- Golgappa
- Samosa
- Nimki
- Ghugni
- Bhoonja
- Thekua
- Samosa-Chaat
- Mathri
Pickle
In Bhojpuri region, pickling is quite common and traditional. There are varieties of pickles (Aachar & Murabba) prepared in each and every home. Aachar includes, Aam (Mango), Aãwla (Amla), Imli (Tamarind), Mooli (Radish), Lehsun (Garlick), Nimbu (Lemon), Lemu (Lime), Gajar (Carrot), Gobhi (Cauli flower), Sonth (Dried Ginger), Laal aur Hara Marcha (Red and Green Chilli) and Murabbas are generally prepared from Aãwla (Amla), Cheri (Cherries), Aam (Mango), also called Amawat and etc.
Dips, Chutneys and Raita
Dips like Raita and Chutney are important part of the bhojpuri cuisine. There are several dips prepared which are served as a side dish to enhance the taste of the centre-piece meal.
Raita
Raitas are prepared by mixing thick yogurt with several vegetable, herbs and seasonings.
- Lauki Raita (Bottlegourd Raita)
- Kheera-Gajar Raita (Cucumber-Carrot Raita)
- Pudina Raita (Mint Raita)
- Bundi Raita (Bundi are rain drop size fried balls of chickpea flour batter)
- Sarson Raita (Mustard Raita)
- Zeera Raita (Roasted Cumin Raita)
Chutney
- Dhaniye ka Chutney (corriander leaves along with green chillies, garlic, salt and a little lemon juice are grinded to a thick but watery paste.)
- Tamatar ka Chutney (it is either sweet or salted. Salted one is prepared by mixing chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, garlic, green chilli, green corriander and salt. Whereas sweet chutney has same procedure as with khajur and imli chutney)
- Pudina ka Chutney (mint leaves along with raw mango, green chillies, sugar and salt are grinded to same consistency like dhaniye ka chutney)
- Khajur ka chutney (dates soaked overnight or boiled and mashed and mixed with jaggery and cooked and tempered with few spices.)
- Imli ka chutney (tamarinds soaked overnight or boiled and then skinned, deseeded and mashed and mixed with jaggery and cooked and tempered with few spices.)
- Dry fruit Chutney (base is raisin and other nuts and dry fruits are added into it.)
See also
- North Indian cuisine
- Uttar Pradeshi cuisine
- Bihari cuisine
- Muhajir cuisine
- Awadhi cuisine
- Mughlai cuisine