Author: Rituraj Kitchen

Introduction

The East Indian region is known for its beautiful mountains and beaches. It is composed of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunchal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Orissa. Food in this region is greatly influenced by a mix of Chinese and Mongolian cuisine.



 

Food is classified mainly as Bagali, Assam, and Orissa whose cooking techniques are primarily steaming and frying. Fish is the preferred dish in coastal areas, while pork takes the stage for inlands.

 

Compared to the rest of the Indian region, Eastern Indians love sweets and desserts. Yogurt, coconut, maize, and gram flour are the most commonly used ingredients for their well-loved desserts. Meanwhile, other staple ingredients also include mustard seed, paste, different chilies, five-spice, cumin, onion seeds, fennel seeds, and fenugreek seeds.

 

Sweets are taken seriously in this part of India. Popular treats are Sandesh and Rasgolla, which are light and less-dense desserts.

 

15 East Indian Cuisine Dishes You Must Try:

1. Pantua

This Bengali local confection is referred to as a distant cousin of Gulab Jamun, a popular Indian sweet treat worldwide. This Bengali specialty is made of semolina, chhana, milk, ghee, and sugar syrup. This may also be compared to a fried ledikeni. Pantuas beautiful fried color ranges from pale brown to almost black. Some variants would add rose water, cardamom or other flavorings to make their own twist.

 

2. Mishti Doi

Mishti Doi is made from fermented sweet yogurt (doi). This famous Bangladesh dessert is prepared by boiling milk until thickened. Sugar or molasses is then added and allowed to ferment overnight. What makes this special is the earthenware used to cook it in, which allows evaporation of water through its pores and produces its distinct flavor. This sweet treat is popular in West Bengal, Tripura, and Barak Valley.

 

3. Momo

Originating from Tibet, momos are dumplings stuffed with meat or vegetables. It comes in a variety of versions from fried, tandoori, chocolate, or cheese-stuffed. This savory dish is a favorite by both kids and adults.

 

4. Sandesh

A simple Bengal sweet treat, this dessert can easily be made with just 3 basic ingredients: Milk, sugar, and lemon.

 

5. Pitha

Commonly eaten in India, this basic rice cake has many regional varieties. It is typically made of rice flour, although some use wheat, palm, or ol. In Assam, there is a special way to prepare this and is made only during special occasions. There are many kinds of pitha. Some of which includes:

• Kachi pitha
• Ghila pitha
• Sunga pitha
• Tekelei pitha
• Uhuwa pitha
• Ketli pitha
• Til ptiha
• Tel pitha
• Xutuli pitha

 

6. Ras Malai

This sinfully great dessert can be described as a crustless cheesecake. It consists of chhena soaked in clotted cream and flavored with cardamom. The milk is curdled with vinegar or lime that is eventually cooled and kneaded into a dough. It is cooked in hot water with a little bit of rose, and stuffed with some saffron and pistachios.

 

7. Rasgulla

Rasgulla is basically a syrupy dessert made from chhena (Indian cottage cheese), semolina, and cooked in light syrup. Originally from Odisha and West Bengal, it also has other variants differing its color, texture, and taste. It’s not easy to make this at home, but it can be as flavorful as those bought from the market. Doing it home though will enable you to make one according to your liking: runny, creamy, or with mango puree.

 

8. Jalfrezi

This dish was introduced by the Chinese and brought to Bengal. It eventually made its way to British India and is cooked by using leftovers with chili and onion. This curry dish is popular all throughout India and can be made with any kind of meat: lanb, fish or even vegetables. It comes with a thick spicy sauce made tastefully with green chillis, bell pepper, onion, and tomatoes.

 

9. Khaja

Served sweet or plain, this dish is made from wheat flour fried in ghee. Popular in Agra, this is related to as a native of Odisha. Khaja is a famous sweet dish that appeals to the people of Odia. It can be described as something close to Baklava only with thicker pastry. It is fried until crispy and added with sugar syrup or “Paga.”

 

10. Kheer

This is a typical pudding served either as a meal or dessert. It is cooked by boiling milk and sugar with rice, wheat, tapioca or sweet corn. Flavored with desiccated coconut, cardamom, raisins, saffron, or other variety of nuts, this dish can be a very tasty addition to a great meal.

 

11. Chicken Kasha

Kasha is another curry dish that is famous all over India. A distinct identifier of East Indian food from other regions is how they use 20 to 30 spices in one curry dish.

 

12. Assamese Fish Curry

The Assameese curry is a result of cooking habits that involves fermentation and drying as a form of preservation. With the abundance of fish in the region, Assameese fish curry is centered on rice.

 

13. Thukpa

This noodle dish was brought to India by the Tibetans. Also famous in Nepal, it is considered as a warm comfort dish by most. There are different varieties of Thukpa:

• Thenthuk: Made with hand-pulled noodle
• Gyathuk: Made with Chinese noodle
• Pathug: Made with hand-rolled pinched noodle similar to gnocchi

 

14. Machcher Dol

This fish curry is a staple in West Bengal. It’s made distinctly by marinating the meat in turmeric, and simmered in onion seeds, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and bay leaf. It is best paired with rice.

 

15. Dalma

A traditional Orissan Dalma is typically made with chickpeas combined with raw papaya, potatoes, and masala. It’s relatively easy to prepare and is considered as an easy lunch meal.

 

 

Conclusion



India is well known for the wide variety of spices. What’s even more interesting is how food is cooked differently from one region to another. Curries or masalas come in different cooking techniques and combinations of flavors depending on what is abundant in the area. Conclusively, a lot of renowned chefs have been greatly astounded by the richness and flavor of Indian food. Today, culinary trends have slowly learned to adapt the Indian cuisine in fine dining. Similarly, gastronomy aficionados have acknowledged the cuisine by granted Indian chefs Michelin ratings.

 

 

Introduction

The cuisine of Uttar Pradesh originates from North India. Being a very big state, it shares quite a lot of dishes and recipes with other famous cuisines such as the Awadhi cuisine, and the Mughlai cuisine. Uttar Pradesh has both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Here are some of the most common Uttar Pradesh dishes.

 



1.Bharwan Chicken Pasanda

This is a boneless chicken breast dish. They are usually stuffed with a khaya cheese mixture. As a final touch, cooks usually drizzle some coconut-cashew source. The dish is very rich in flavor as it has a variety of spices.

 

2.Arhar Kidal

Arhar Kidal is a very homey and easy to cook dish, the name directly translates to Pigeon Peas. It is not complicated to make and allows for variations on the recipe. It is easy to make even for people who are not professional cooks.

 

3.Aloo Rasedaar

This dish is quite flexible for any kind of setting, be it a chilled afternoon or a very special occasion. It is famously known as the Uttar Pradesh potato curry because it is really not Aloo Rasedaar if there aren’t any potatoes. This dish is one of the Indian dishes that can be cooked without onions and garlic.

 

4.Allahabad Ki Tehri

This is a rice meal, very casual and quick to make but also solid enough to make a satisfying meal. This meal can be made for lunch and even fancy and special dinners. It can be enjoyed by both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

 

5.Keema Dum

Dum is a method of slow cooking, Keema dum is slowly cooked minced meat with a variety of bold spices such as ginger and garlic. It is cooked in mustard cooking oil. This dish is usually garnished with a lemon wedge, mint leaves, or a boiled egg. It goes well with naan or paratha.

 



6.Bedmi

This dish is also very common in the Punjabi cuisine. It is the Indian fluffy flatbread, with a nice potato curry filling. It is common street food in states such as Delhi and originates from Uttar Pradesh.

 

7.Baingan kaLonje

This is a very much lovable brinjal based dished. In the Hindi culture and in some parts of the world, this dish is usually served as a wedding dish. The brinjals are filled with spices such as garlic, ginger, and they are also filled with various vegetables and cooked a medium heat.

 

8.Bhindi ka salan

This dish is also found in the Mughlai cuisine. It is a combination of flavors that give a sour yet sweet taste. The gravy is yogurt-based and the okra is fried and dipped in it. Bhindi ka sala translates to okra in a spicy and tangy curry.

 

9.Kakori Kebab

This dish is made from a very fine piece of lamb. The recipe is one of the oldest recipes that have been passed down from generations amongst Nawabi people. The mutton is seasoned with a wide range of Indian spices and then grilled to perfection.

 

10.Mutton Kufta

This dish has great serving options, it can either be served as kebabs or dipped in a thick gravy that goes well with rice. It is also common amongst the Mughlai people. The balls are made from minced mutton, coriander, egg, and channa powder. The balls are then cooked in yogurt and a mélange of spices.

 

11.Batti Chokha

This dish is very more popular in the Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. The wheat batti is baked using a cylindrical clay oven which gives it a very nice aroma and taste. The chokha is made from mashed potatoes, some tomatoes, and brinjal. It is usually paired with chaat masala and green chutney. This dish is also known as a litti chokha and is best served when hot.

 

12.Peda

This dish is a very sweet delicacy, it is usually decorated with fruit and sometimes with Chandi vark. They are made from khoa, sugar, and flavoring that include either saffron or cardamom seeds. There is a variety of recipes for making this amazing dish so the peda usually comes in different shapes and colors.

 

13.Malpua

This is also another famous dessert dish from Uttar Pradesh. Malpua has a strong resemblance with pancakes soaked in cardamom syrup. This dish is sometimes made as snacks especially during Hindu festivals. Mulpua is best served hot and has a way of just completing a meal.

 



14.Chaat

Chaat is a very common street food in Uttar Pradesh. It is very rich in flavor and has a variety of toppings. The chaat is a sweet and spicy combination of potatoes, crispbread, and gram. There is a wide range of chaats that use different kinds of ingredients and produce different kinds of flavors. Examples include, palak chaat, oats chaat and raw mangos chaat, variations are over 500.

 

15.Kebab parantha

This dish was for years considered a royal dish, it is made up of kebabs wrapped with parantha with green chutney and some onion. There are vegetarian and non-vegetarian recipes for this dish. This dish can be found in restaurant menus and is also great for kid’s lunch boxes. It is a quick and easy to make dish that can be easily made by novice cooks.

 

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.

 

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.

Introduction

An Awadhi cuisine dish is a native Indian dish from the Northern region. Some of these dishes have gained popularity across the world and are made by some of the best and most renowned chefs. This has led them to become a lot of people’s favorite and special dishes.

 



Some of the best Awadhi cuisine dishes.

1.Shami kebab

They are famously known to have been invented by a chef for a toothless Nawab. The Shami Kebab is also great for people who have a specific diet such as vegetarians as it includes recipes that do not require meat. For those who love meat, some recipes include meat, it can either be beef or chicken. You simply mince the meat and blend it with an ingredient called Khada masala.

 

2.Makkhan Malai

This is a very light dessert made from churned milk, cardamom, and saffron, it takes about 8 long hours to prepare. It is a dish widely prepared in many parts of India and is sometimes called Malaiyo or Nimish. Its lightness makes it very ideal for winter and this is why it is very popular during winter.

 

3.Biryani

This dish has a special method of cooking known as “dum”. It consists of rice infused with a lot of different flavors from ingredients such as chicken, dry fruit, and spices. It is also served with a combination of flavors from dahi raita and chutney. The dish is best served hot and is very popular amongst Indians and people across the world.

 

4.Murg Musallam

Murg Musallam is a royal dish. The chicken is infused with lots of rich flavor from spices. It is marinated for hours and then stuffed with boiled egg and dried fruit plus more spices. Over the years, people have varied the recipe. Now some people no longer stuff the chicken with boiled egg and they marinate it will all sort of different ingredients such as yogurt.

 

5.Seekh Kebabs

What drives people crazy about this dish is the aroma and the amazing tenderness of the kebabs. It is made from either chicken or beef but traditional seekh kebabs are made from lamb. The meat is blended with a lot of different spices and then cooked on charcoal.

 

6.Tunde Ke Kebabs

This is a special dish from the region of Lucknow, the recipe was kept a secret for many years. The dish is made from minced meat and in some parts of India it is known as buffalo meat galouti kebab. It is a very flavorful and delicious dish.

 

7.Dahi Batashe

Dahi batashe has more than 20 different recipes, some people consider it as street food. The primary ingredient is golgappa and it is filled with things such as dahi and a lot more ingredients rich in flavor. This dish also originates from Lucknow.

 

8.Basket Chaat

The primary ingredient for this dish is the nicely sliced potatoes that take the shape of a basket and are deep-fried. The chaat consists of many different ingredients that add the punch to the dish. The presentation of the dish is what gets your mouth watery.

 



9.Kulfi Falooda

Kulfi falooda is a dessert drink that originates from the people of Iran. The drink can be made with or without ice, the core ingredients are the falooda sev, sabja, and rose milk. This dish has quite the aroma!

 

10.Mutton Korma

They say you have not had the best mutton dish until you have tried the mutton korma. The mutton is cooked in spicy gravy made from cream, dry fruit, and yogurt. The mutton korma is usually served with rice or paratha, either way it is just as delicious.

 

11.Nihari Gosht

This dish originated from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. It is made up of mutton cooked in lots and lots of spices. Some recipes use beef instead of mutton. It is a very classic Indian dish that infuses very bold Indian flavors.

 

12. Mutton do pyaza

Mutton do pyaza is a special Indian dish that consists of two main ingredients, mutton and lots of onions. It is sometimes referred to as the Indian mutton curry. This dish, like almost every Indian dish, has lots of spices and is best served hot.

 

13.Galouti Kebab

Galouti suggests that something is very soft and melts in the mouth, this is exactly what happens when you take a bite of the galouti kebab. It is a North Indian dish that is made from minced mutton and a variety of spices. Some ingredients use beef instead of mutton and they taste just as great and melt just as fast in your mouth.

 

14.Zarda

Zarda is a very colorful dessert that is not very popular outside India. This dish is made from a special type of rice flavored with cardamom sugar syrup. It is beautifully garnished with raising or any dry fruit, Chandi vark, and a lot more ingredients based on the recipe you are using. It is a very sweet and delicate dish. The dish is a native Indian traditional dish.

 

15.Nimona

Nimona refers to something royal. It is a traditional Indian dish, famously made in the Northern region. The dish is a green peas curry and is traditionally referred to as hari Matar ka Nimona. The dish is very popular during the winter season. It is a very simple and quick dish to make. Nimona is great for vegetarians and is loved for its sweet pea flavor. It is usually served with rice.

 



Conclusion

When it comes to flavor, Awadhi cuisine dishes do the most. The flavors are very bold and taste amazing, from the main course dishes to its desserts. Some of the dishes are very homely and easy to make, some of them are very classic and sophisticated dishes you would not think twice about selecting in a restaurant menu.