Introduction
The Bihari cuisine originates from the Eastern parts of India. It is also very popular in states where the Bihari people have settled. These places include Uttar Pradesh, Bangladesh, and Jharkhand. The cuisine also includes some dishes from the Bhojpuri cuisine, Mathil, and Mahagi cuisine.
1.Til ki laddu
Til ki laddu is also referred to as the Indian sweet sesame ball. The dish is made from roasted white sesame seeds mixed with jaggery syrup and cardamom powder. The mixture is then shaped into balls. This dish is also a Mahar Sankranti festival special dish.
2.Thekua
Thekua is a Bihari version of cookies, they are made from whole wheat flour and jaggery, they are deep-fried. This dish is very common in other parts of India such as Uttar Pradesh and Teri. Thekua is a very special Indian dish that is sometimes made as prasad, this means it is offered to od during the Chhath puja.
3.Pitha
Pitha is a traditional dish made from wheat flour, rice with any of the three ingredients, it is either made with coconut or dal or cooked in milk. It is an Indian version of a rice cake and can be served as a snack. It is served hot or cold and usually comes in different shapes.
4.Mutton curry
This dish is especially enjoyed by the non-vegetarian part of the Bihari population. The best recipe for this dish is when the mutton curry is made in mustard oil and ghee. The dish makes a very lovely and wholesome meal when served with plain rice. Mutton curry has gained popularity across the world and now has many variations.
5.Khaja
Khaja consists of layers and layers of sweetness. Indians have it on their wedding menus almost all the time. It is the perfect dessert made from mainly wheat flour, sugar, and oil. In some regions, khaja is usually soaked in sugar syrup after preparation. They have a strong resemblance with puff pastry.
6.Kala Jamun
Kala Jamun is closely related to Gulab Jamun but is darker in color and has lots and lots of saffron syrup, it also differs in texture. They are very soft; they melt in your mouth. Khala Jamun or black Jamun is very common in Indian festivals and a lot of Bihari households. Just like Gulab jamun, these make a perfect dessert. They are also very popular in many parts of India and even in the diaspora.
7.Jhalmurhi
Jhalmurhi is a very popular street food snack in the eastern parts of India and Bangladesh as well. It is made from crispy puffed rice, green chilies, and onions. It has a very unique taste of raw mustard oil. Jhalmurhi is very easy to make and usually takes only a few minutes, especially if the puffed rice is already crispy.
8.Choora-Badam
Choora -Badam is made from deep-fried chirwa and nuts. It is ready to serve hot and is usually garnished nicely sliced almonds and fresh coriander leaves. There are a lot of recipes for making this dish, some of which include fried peas. Choora badam is great for breakfast and can be used for a snack.
9.Anarsa
Arnasa is a Hindu snack commonly associated with Hindu festivals such as Diwali. It is a pastry-like sweet dish made from soaked powdered rice, jaggery, poppy seeds, and ghee. Anarsa can be served as a dessert and is also good for a snack any time during the day.
10.Laung Latika
Laung Latika is a traditional Bihari dessert that is usually made during festivals. The clove in the center of the crust makes the laung Latika stand out from all the stuffed sweets found in the Indian cuisine. It is made from stuffed pastry, fried and soaked in sugar syrup. It is also very soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Laung Latika is a very sweet delicacy.
11.Parwal ki Mithai.
The Bahari people will turn anything into a sweet something, this dish is a good example of how they do that. It is made from a vegetable called parwal that is stuffed with a very rich mixture of mawa. The mixture is a combination of the inner part of the vegetable and mawa or sweet khoya.
12.Laai
Laai is a traditional dish made from cereal and jaggery syrup. The cereal is roasted just a little bit and then mixed with jaggery syrup. The mixture is then molded into sizeable balls. The cereal can be made from puffed rice or beaten rice, whatever works better for you. Laai is great for a snack and definitely a must-try.
13.Puri Sabzi
Puri is a very popular type of bread in the Indian cuisine. In all the cuisines, this bread is usually set apart by the dishes it goes with. In Bihar, the puri is paired with the vegan Aloo sabzi, it is made of mashed potatoes mixed with a wide range of spices. Puri is more of a staple diet for people who are originally from Bihar.
14.Khurma and Laktho
Khurma is a sweet Bihari snack made from flour and salt. This mixture is deep-fried in oil and then dipped in sugar syrup. The sugar syrup is allowed to cool off creating a powdery layer on the outside. Laktho is a variant of Khurma made from rice flour dough and jaggery syrup.
15.Kesar Peda
Kesar Peda is one of the many Bihar delicacies. It is referred to as the Indian milk fudge, it has strong flavors from saffron and cardamom. Kesar Peda is a great snack or dessert for festivities and can easily be incorporated into a home meal.
Conclusion
The Bihari cuisine consists of quite a lot of sweet dishes that are very quick and easy to make. They are very rich in flavor and make amazing desserts.