Introduction
This style of cooking is common amongst the Bhojpuri people from the Northern parts of Bihar, India. Rice and wheat are the staple foods in Bihar, this is why most of their main course dishes constitute of either of these two ingredients. Bhojpuri cuisines dishes are also very filling and have amazing flavor.
1.Tilkut
This is a very sweet and crunchy snack bar made from sesame seeds and sugar or jaggery. They are ideal for breakfast but also great for and all-day round snack. This dish is commonly made during special occasions such as the Makar Sankranti festival in India. Alternatively, this dish is called tilkatri or palala.
2.Litti Chokha
This dish is a traditional Bhojpuri dinner recipe, it is made from wheat balls stuffed with gram flour, eggplant, mashed potatoes, tomatoes and lots of spices. The eggplant is usually roasted and the potatoes can also be fried instead of mashed. The wholesome wheat balls are then fried.
3.Bhabhara
Bhabhara is a healthy snack made from gram flour, rice flour green peas, and a variety of spices. For more flavor, the dish is usually garnished with nicely chopped carrots. The snack is great with a hot cup of coffee or tea during any time of the day.
4.Dal Phiti
Dal Phiti is a comfort dish made from wheat dumplings simmered in lentil soup. The dish is solid enough for a heavy lunch or an amazing dinner. Dal Phiti is sometimes referred to as a comfort dish.
5.Korma
Korma is a rich and aromatic sauce with meat and a variety of vegetables. The dish uses any type of meat, it can be beef, chicken, or mutton. The spicy gravy is best served while hot with rice and Rotis. This dish is also a type of curry.
6.Sattu Ka Paratha
This is a flatbread made from roasted gram flour or channa dal flour spiced with herbs. This dish is very healthy and can be had as lunch or dinner. It is usually served with pickles and salad on the side. This dish is very popular in Bihar.
7.Bari Kadhi
Bari Kadhi is a gravy made from gram flour and curd. The gram flour is used to make small dumplings and then cooked in the gravy made with curd, some spices and gram flour. The recipe is a yogurt-based stew that gives it a creamy and tangy feel. The dish is usually served with rice, rotis, or paratha.
8.Balushashi
This is a traditional Bhojpuri dish but it also common in other parts of India. It is made from raw mangoes and sugar. It has a very sweet and sour taste. The dish can be served without anything on the side but some people prefer it with rotis and paranthas.
9.Guzia
Guzia is a combination of dumplings and all things sweet. The dumplings are made from semolina or all-purpose flour and then delicately stuffed with a sweet mixture of sweetened milk solids and dried fruits. The dumplings are then deep-fried in ghee. The Guzia is sometimes referred to as Gujiya.
10.Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is a very popular dessert in many parts of India and in other parts of the world such as Nepal and Pakistan. It is a solid milk-based sweet. Gulab Jamun directly translates to rose berry, as the name suggests, they are berry sized balls that are dipped in rose flavored sugar syrup. This dish is not that difficult to make and usually takes about an hour to prepare.
11.Gur raguly
This dish is an absolute winner delight. The dumplings are made from Indian cottage cheese and cooked in jaggery syrup. The gur rasgulla has many variations and so ingredients used will often vary. Sometimes sugar is used instead of jaggery and many other different flavorings that add a kick to the dish. The jaggery syrup often adds an amazing aroma to the dumplings, the taste is heavenly.
12.Dahi Chura
This is one of the most popular healthy breakfasts in Bihar. It is said to have an auspicious significance and is usually prepared for special occasions such as the Makar Sakantri festival. The dish is made from flattened rice, yogurt, jaggery or honey, fresh fruits, Chura, and nuts. Dahi Chura is packed with amazing flavor. The best part of it is that it is not at all complicated to make and does not take too much of your time.
13.Ghugni
Ghugni is a delicacy made from dried yellow peas or Kala chana and black gram. It is a very common evening snack in almost every part of India and in places such as Bangladesh. The dish can be enjoyed with dhuska, rota, and can even be served without being paired with anything. It is usually finished with a garnished or nicely chopped onions and coriander leaves.
14.Besan Ki Machhli/sabji
The dish is sometimes called besan ki macchli because the curry tastes like fish curry. It is one of Bihar’s specialties and is a very delicious dish. The dish is a vegetarian dish made from yellow mustard seeds. Other ingredients include besan butter, gram flour, and a variety of herbs and spices such as red chili, cumin powder, turmeric powder, and coriander powder.
15.Rasiyaaw.
This is a traditional dessert dish made from sweet rice, it is made for every special occasion that has an auspicious significance. The rice is made with sugarcane juice or alternatively, jaggery. The dish is traditionally made with Arwa rice but you can use basmati rice as a substitute. Rasiyaaw is a healthy version of sweet rice.
Conclusion
The Bihar people are famously known for their ability to strike a balance between their physical health and the food. Most of their dishes have a balanced diet and are very healthy.