Famous Food of Bhopal

The capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is famous for its modern metropolitan development, historic culture, exquisiteness and above all availability of large variety in lip smacking food and cuisines. The food varieties in Bhopal are differentiated from culinary ethnicity of Hindu and Muslim and Bhopal famous food is recognized for its delicious meat dishes. Curries and kebabs are the most acknowledged and preferred recipes from the city’s cuisine.

Bhopal is the fourteenth largest city in India and is also famously known as the city of lakes. It is not only rich in its history and culture but the food offered here in Bhopal is a real delight for those who call themselves foodie. Due to a large number of Muslims and Hindus living here, the cuisine of Bhopal is greatly influenced by both Muslim and Hindu culture. The cuisine of Bhopal includes some of the very delicious vegetarian dishes along with exotic and rich non-vegetarian dishes too. Some of the most well-liked dishes you can enjoy in Bhopal are given here;

Achar Gosht

Achar gosht is a meat dish prepared from chicken cooked in a lot of pickle spices. In some dishes, mutton is also used in place of chicken.

Keema –

It is a delightful item made from minced meat of mutton.

Keema pulav

Keema pulav is another non-vegetarian dish very popular in Bhopal. It is prepared with minced lamb meat cooked with Basmati Rice along with spices and herbs.

Biryani Pilaf –

Biryani pilaf is a dish that is prepared with Basmati Rice along with many types of spices, meat, vegetables, cream and ghee. Meat used in biryani pilaf is mainly mutton, but occasionally chicken is also used. It is a South Asian version of Mughal Biryani.

Roghan Josh –

Roghan Josh is a dish of Mughal cuisine and has its origin from Kashmir. It is made from lamb meat, onions, shallot, spices like cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, chillies, etc. It is a gravy based dish enjoyed with Tandoori roti or Rumali roti.

Bafla –

Bafla is a wheat cake made of refined flour or Maida and is dunked in a lot of ghee. It is an ideal dish to take along with a bowl of Dal with a thick consistency.

Beverages –

You can also enjoy many beverages offered in Bhopal, which are refreshing and delicious, as well. Two most favourite drinks of Bhopal include sugarcane juice and buttermilk. Along with that, Bhopal has a unique type of liquor known that you will find only in this area, and it is prepared from fresh flowers of Mahua tree.

Bhopali Paan –

When you eat in Bhopal, a very special item is served at the end of every meal. This important and famous food item is Bhopali Paan or beetle leaf, which is a completely culinary item. It has a very nice taste and a refreshing flavour, and also, it is very good for digestion of heavy meals. Paan is a major mouth refresher that is consumed in almost every part of Indian subcontinent, but Bhopali paan has something special, which has won the hearts of people. Folks of Bhopal believe Paan making as a form of art, and hence, it has become a prominent part of their heritage and culture.

Seekh Kebab –

Counted as must to taste of Bhopal city, the kebabs are easy and quick to make comprising garlic cloves, chopped fresh mint, coriander, salt, garam masala, lamb mince or lean beef, mild curry paste, green chillies, and dried onion flakes.

The Muslim era has contributed a lot to the richness of Bhopali cuisine, and due to this, many Mughlai and meat dishes became a part of culture and heritage of Bhopal such as korma, keema and kebabs. One of them is seekh kebab. Seekh kebab is a very simple dish and is liked by most people in Bhopal. It is not very complicated to make kebabs and it can be made in a very less time.

Apart from this, Faluda, Jalebi and Rabri in sweets are very much reckoned in the city. Travel Khana is a leading e-catering service provider offering good quality food to passengers in trains as per their convenience. Try your favourite dishes by simply ordering with them and enjoying the city’s ultimate cuisine ethnicity.

The best places to taste the best food of Bhopal are the chowks in the inner city of Bhopal where you will find shops, restaurants and street hawkers offering you the best meat dishes, curries and kebabs to enjoy the rich cuisine that will fill your senses with extreme delight.

Famous Food of Cuttack

The Odisha cuisine is a lot about seafood because only 6 percent of the population is vegetarian. Fish, crabs and shrimp preparations are among the favourite food dishes. The general tendency is to use mild flavours with just a touch of spices. The consumption of chicken and mutton is occasional. While the use of mustard oil is common, ghee is preferred during festivals. The use of pastes of garlic and onion is common in curries. Panch phutana, made of cumin, mustard, fennel, fenugreek and kalonji, tempers vegetables and dals, while garam masala and turmeric are used for non-vegetarian curries. Pakhala, prepared from fermented rice, water, and yogurt, is popular in the summer. Sweets are a must for festivals.

  • Khichdi:

This popular dish is made of rice and lentils cooked together in ghee with various flavouring agents and salt. It is offered as Prasad at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Khichdi

Khichdi – Img Src: foodnspice.com

  • Prawn Malai Curry:

This curry is tasty and mild and the simple recipe gets its cream from coconut milk. It is popular both in Odisha and in Bengal and is usually served with basmati rice.

Prawn Malai Curry - Img Src: Google

Prawn Malai Curry – Img Src: Google

  • Chicken in Silky Spinach Curry:

In chicken in silky spinach curry or murg saagwala, chicken pieces are cooked in mildly-spiced spinach gravy. This is a nutritious dish with tremendous taste. The other ingredients include cooking oil, peppercorns, cloves, cardamom, onions, garlic, ginger, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, chopped tomatoes, salt and butter.

Chicken in Silky Spinach Curry - Img Src: Youtube

Chicken in Silky Spinach Curry – Img Src: Youtube

  • Macher Kalia with Aloo:

The basic ingredients are murrel fish and green mango. Its other ingredients include turmeric, red chillies, green chillies, oil, garlic, ginger, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, onion, cinnamon, bay leaf, yogurt, and salt. A paste of onion, ginger, garlic, cumin seeds, chillies and bay leaves is made. Fish is fried in oil and then rice is fried and potatoes are added and fried. Then paste and water are added and brought to boil. To this, fish is added, cooked well and cardamom and cinnamon powder are added. It is served hot with rice or roti.

Macher Kalia with Aloo

Macher Kalia with Aloo -Img Src: Google

  • Dalma:

Dalma is a preparation of various vegetables and daals. The vegetables include papita, potato, brinjal, drumstick, arbi, beans, raw banana, pumpkin and tomato, while the daal is pigeon pea. The other ingredients are onion, mustard seed, cumin seed, turmeric powder, bay leaf, dry chilli, oil, and salt.

Dalma

Dalma – Img Src: www.rita-bose-cooking.com

  • Bhindi Bhaja:

The ingredients for this vegetable are ladies finger, tomato, onion, curry leaves, green chili, garlic, cloves, turmeric powder, mustard seeds, aniseed, urad dal, asafoetida, oil, and salt. Washed vegetables are cut, onion sliced and green chillies slit. To the hot oil in a pan are added asafoetida and garlic, mustard seed, aniseeds, and urad dal. When cooked, onion, green chilli and curry leaves are added. And then are added tomato, ladies finger pieces, turmeric powder and salt. They are cooked well and served hot with rice or roti.

Bhendi Bhaja

Bhendi Bhaja – Img Src: www.fooduel.com

  • Chhena Jalebi:

This sweet dish is the traditional coastal Odisha preparation. It is one of the many chhena-based sweet preparations. Fresh chhena is kneaded, rolled into jalebis and deep fried. They are soaked into sugar syrup and served hot or chilled.

Chhena Jalebi

Chhena Jalebi – Img Src: www.ahomemakersdiary.com

  • Rasmalai:

Rasmalai is usually served after a meal. It consists of yellowish flat paneer balls soaked in malai and sugar syrup. It is flavoured with cardamom.

Rasmalai

Rasmalai – Img Src: Flickr

  • Rasabali:

The ingredients include mashed paneer, baking soda, sooji, maida, sugar, chhenna, milk, milk powder, saffron strands, cardamom powder, oil and sliced almonds. Mashed paneer, suji, maida, soda, cardamom powder and sugar are made into dough. Small balls are prepared of the dough and milk is boiled with milk powder.  Cardamom, sugar and saffron strands are added and the mixture is boiled together. Chhena balls are fried in oil to golden brown and are put in the boiling milk. This is served chilled with garnishing of almonds and cashew nuts.

Rasabali

Rasabali – Img Src: www.akilaskitchen.com

Famous Food of Khandwa

Khandwa is a city and a major district in the Nimar region of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. It is a nice tourist spot of this region due its rich cultural heritage, history and cuisine. The delicious food served in Khandwa reflects the rich culture that is pursued by the people of this city. Due to Mughal reign for a long time, the cuisine of the city is greatly influenced from Mughal cuisine and many dishes served here are of Mughal period. You will find both vegetarian and Non-vegetarian delicacies that are served in the restaurants of Khandwa.

There are many popular dishes that are included in the cuisine of khandwa such as lavang Lata, Kulsi, Palak puuri, kebabs, Biryani, Pilaf, Baflas and many others.

Here are some of the Major Dishes that are Popular in Khandwa;

  • Palak Puri –

It is a major breakfast recipe that is popular here in khandwa. It is basically Indian flat bread that is deep fried. It is prepared from wheat flour dough that is mixed with finely chopped spinach. It is best tasted with chutney, pickle and Aloo curry.

Palak Puri

Palak Puri – Img Src: foodtorelish.com

  • Peas Pilaf –

Pilaf or pulav is a delicious dish made from fried rice and some other ingredients. Peas pilaf contain rice, peas, carrots along with cloves, cardamom and other spices. All the ingredients are mixed together and then are cooked on slow flame for around twenty-five minutes. Pilaf is served along with Dal or curry.

Peas-Pilaf

Peas-Pilaf – Img Src: Google

  • Biryani –

Biryani is a major Mughal dish that is made in all the parts of India with different variations. The word Biryani means cooked rice. The main ingredients of Biryani are Basmati Rice and meat. Meat is steam cooked separately and is then added to the main dish. There are many variations of Biryani such as mutton biryani, chicken biryani and vegetable biryani. In vegetable biryani, vegetables like cauliflower and carrots are used instead of meat and present a good alternate for vegetarians.

Biryani

Biryani Img Src: Google

  • Kusli

Kusli is a sweet dish that is prepared in whole of Madhya Pradesh and is very delicious. It is like cookies of wheat flour stuffed with sweet stuffing of dry fruits and other ingredients. The main ingredients you need for making kusli are wheat flour, Almond powder, semolina, powdered sugar or khaand, grated dried coconuts, cardamom powder and oil. It is a major food item that is served in the festive season.

Kusli

Kusli – Img Src: Palpalindia

  • Lavang Lata –

Lavang lata is another sweet dish that is famous in Khandwa and Madhya Pradesh. It is a food item rich in flavours and dry fruits like Pistachio, almonds and cashew. For outer covering, wheat flour is used and it is stuffed with a mixture of dry fruits, grated coconut, raisins and spices like cardamom and cloves and then it is fried. After frying, it is dipped in two string sugar syrup.

Lavang Lata

Lavang Lata – Img Src: Google

  • Cashew Barfi –

Cashew Barfi is an exotic sweet dish that is famous in all over India. It is made from Cashews, milk and sugar. Cashew is ground finely and then is kneaded with sugar, milk powder, ghee and milk. After thick dough of the mixture is obtained, it is cut into diamond shapes and is baked thoroughly in ovens until the colour of the pieces turns golden brown.

Cashew Barfi

Cashew Barfi – Img Src: iloveindia.com

  • Jalebi –

Another delicious dessert of Khandwa is Jalebi. It is a coil-shaped sweet dish that is made from white flour and is deep fried and then dipped in thick sugar syrup. It is served with milk, curd or rabdi and is a major item served n breakfast.

Jalebi

Jalebi – Source: Flickr – Kirti

With so many delicious dishes, you must visit khandwa once and taste these mouth watering delicacies for a lifetime experience.

Famous Food of Jolarpettai

Jolarpettai is a town in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It is a sparsely populated town and is a good place for people who love exploring delicious cuisine. The food in Jolarpettai is greatly influenced from the Tamil cuisine which is based on the philosophy that serving food is a noble service. Most of the dishes that are served in Jolarpettai are vegetarian and are made from rice and lentils as they are the major crops of this region. Although some of the non-vegetarian dishes are also served in the restaurants of the town.

Here are some of the most popular dishes of Jolarpettai;

  • Idli –

Idli is one of the major dishes that are served and famous in whole southern part of the country. Idli is a form of cake made from rice and cooked in steam. It is served with coconut chutney, sambhar, and tomato chutney. It is a major breakfast item that is loved by people here.

Idli

Idli – Img Src: Flickr @ Aditi Patnaik

  • Dosa – Dosa is another south Indian dish that is popular in this region and is made from the paste of finely ground rice and lentils. It is a paper thin layer of shallow fried rice paste stuffed with potato fillings called masala. There are many versions and variants of Dosa available in this region such as Masala dosa, Rava dosa, onion dosa, Paneer dosa and many others. It is also served along with coconut chutney and sambhar, which is made from lentils and a mixture of vegetables and spices.

Dosa

Dosa – Img Src: Flickr @ Anoop Negi

  • Vada or Idiyappam –

It is another popular breakfast dish of Jolarpettai and is made from rice flour. Balls are made from dough of rice flour and are stuffed with grated coconut and are deep fried on medium flame. It is served with different curries of thick consistency.

Idiyappam

Idiyappam – Img Src: Flickr @ Abdul Gaffoor

  • Rasam –

Rasam is a tasty tamarind soup made with lentils and tamarind along with rich spices such as peppercorns, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and turmeric and is served with steamed rice, idli or dosa when sambhar is not available. In some recipes, Toor Dal is used in place of lentils.

Rasam

Rasam – Img Src: rasam.co.in

  • Hyderabadi Biryani –

Although, biryani is made and famous in all parts of India, but Hyderabadi biryani has its own charm and taste. Hyderabadi biryani is a delicious dish of Mughal period and is made from meat pieces, basmati rice, spices like cardamom, cinnamon, chillies, pepper, bay leaves, etc. A lot of ghee is also used in the recipe for rich taste and aroma. The meat used for making this biryani can be of chicken, mutton or beef depending on the preference.

Hyderabadi Biryani

Hyderabadi-Biryani – Img Src: Tripadviser

  • Uttapam –

Uttapam is another major dish that is served on the food stalls in Jolarpettai. It is a thick pancake that is made from rice flour and is topped with various ingredients like onions, chillies and capsicum. It is very identical to Pizza and is also termed as Indian version of pizza.

Uttapam

Uttapam – Img Src: Google

  • Parottas –

This is a lip-smacking dish that is served as a popular street food in Jolarpettai, and you can find that easily on a food shop on the roadside. Parottas are made from egg and meat along with an extremely spicy sauce termed as Salna. It is normally served along with onion raita. Other variants of parottas served in Jolarpettai are kothu parottas, chilli parottas and egg parottas.

Parottas

Parottas – Img Src: WordPress.com

  • Pani Puri –

Pani puri is a major street food that is liked by people all over India. Along with that, you can also enjoy aloo chaat, dahi vada and papdi at the food stalls at the roadside in Jolarpettai.

Pani Puri

Pani Puri – Img Src: Wikipedia.org

With such as rich cuisine, you can easily say that Jolarpettai is a like heaven for foodies.

Overview of Famous Food in Jalgaon

Jalgaon is a major city in Khandesh region of Maharashtra and is rich in culture and also popular for the delicious food served here. It is also known as Banana City as bananas are very famous from this city. The restaurants in Jalgaon serve a variety of traditional Marathi and modern dishes that are not only delicious, but also give you an introduction to the rich culture of this place.

Let us have a look on the various popular dishes that are served here in Jalgaon;

  • Khandeshi Style Buttermilk –

Buttermilk kadhi is a dish that is liked and prepared all over India. In Jalgaon, it is made in its own way with garlic, ginger, coconut and turmeric along with Bengal gram flour and yoghurt. Khandeshi style buttermilk Kadhi is made as an accomplishment along with other Marathi dishes Vafola and Funake.

Khandeshi Style Buttermilk

Khandeshi Style Buttermilk – Source: Myhomemantra

  • Vaangi Bharit –

Vangyacha Bharit is another popular dish that is liked by most of the people in Maharashtra. It is served with chapattis and tastes best with Bhakhri along with Zunka, which is a preparation of onions and beans. The main ingredients that are included in Vaangi Bharit are eggplant, spring onions, garlic, green chillies, coriander leaves and oil. Eggplant is directly roasted on open flames and then it is mashed along other ingredients and is served hot.

Vaangi Bharit

Vaangi Bharit – Source: Google

  • Khandeshi Khichdi –

Khichdi is a quick and simple dish that is healthy and easily digested. It is the best food option when you come back from office very late or you are in a hurry. Khichdi is a mixture of rice, lentils, tomatoes, onions and other spices and is served hot with ghee, curd or butter.

Khandeshi Khichdi

Khandeshi Khichdi – Source: Namakshamak

  • Eggplant Bhaji –

Eggplant bhaji or sabji is a special wedding dish that is served in most of the weddings in Khandeshi region. It is prepared with diced eggplant, roughly ground chillies and garlic fried in oil. It is best tasted with fried rice. Mostly, it is served as the second course of three-course dinner in most of the weddings.

rovingI

Eggplant Bhaji – Source: Flickr @RovingI

  • Tomato Bhaji –

Tomato Bhaji is an exclusive dish that is served in Maharashtra and is enjoyed with bread, chapattis, and rice. It is the best option when your kitchen runs out of stocks of vegetables. The main ingredients of this dish are tomatoes and onions. Freshly grated coconuts and peanuts are used for garnishing of this dish.

Tomato Bhaji

Tomato Bhaji – Source: @Flickr

  • Jalebi –

Jalebi is a popular sweet dish of India and is made from refined flour and sugar syrup. In Jalgaon, Jalebi is made in the shape of coils and is deep fried until crisp. After that, it is dipped in rich sugar syrup and is served hot along with Rabdi or Curd. Some special essences like kevda or sandal are also sometimes used for a special taste and aroma.

Jalebi

Jalebi Source: @Flickr – Kirti

  • Imarti –

Imarti is another popular sweet dish that is made from lentils flour. A very thin batter of flour is prepared and coiled pieces are made from it and are deep fried. Then they are soaked in sugar syrup for some time and are served crisp and hot. It is a major dish during festivals like Diwali in Maharashtra.

Imarti

Imarti – Source: @Flickr – Kapsi

  • Chakli –

Chakli is a mouth-watering snack that is prepared in Maharashtra during the festive season. It is a crisp dish made from mixed flour, urad dal flour and water and is seasoned with nuts.

Chakli

Chakli – Source:@Flicker – Godakshin

With so many exotic and delicious dishes, Jalgaon is an ideal place for people who love and adore delicious food. Next time when you visit Jalgaon, you must try all of these dishes that are really a delight to have and a treat to your taste buds.

Famous Food of Burdwan

Burdwan is a city in West Bengal and is also known as Bardhaman. It has a rich heritage of culture, history and cuisine. Most of the food served here is traditional Bengali cuisine along with Mughal dishes and food items. Most of the food here includes rice as it is the staple food of Bengal. Burdwan is also called the rice bowl of West Bengal and is the biggest producer of rice in the state. Along with vegetarian dishes, you will also find a variety of non-vegetarian dishes including chicken, mutton, fish and other seafood. Bengalis have a sweet tooth for desserts, and hence, the Bengali cuisine includes a lot of sweet dishes and desserts like Rasgulla, sondesh, etc.

Here is a list of some famous dishes of Burdwan;

  • Sitabhog –

Sitabhog is an authentic Bengali dish that is primarily famous in Burdwan. It s made from rice flour, cottage cheese, ghee, sugar, water and saffron. It is served with nikuti, which is also made from milk powder, curd, ghee and baking soda. A myth about this dish is that it was the favourite dish of Mata Sita of Ramayana.

Sitabhog

Sitabhog – Img Src: Flickr @Framez

  • Mihidana –

Mihidana is also a major sweet dish that is popular in Burdwan. Mihidana is prepared from Bengal gram flour along with ghee and water. The fine grains of wheat flour are cooked for a long time and then are garnished with raisins, dry fruits and prunes. It is an essential sweet in the city and is mainly used for Prasad offered to Hindu gods in temples.

Mihidana

Mihidana – Img Src: Flickr @Sayantan

  • Lengcha –

Lengcha is an Indian sweet dish that originated in West Bengal. It is primarily prepared from cottage cheese and wheat flour. Oval shaped balls are made from dough of flour and cheese, and then, they are deep fried. Fried balls are then soaked in sugar syrup for a long time. You can serve them cold or hot as per your preference.

Lengcha

Lengcha – Img Src: Peekncook

  • Macher Malai –

Macher malai is seafood, which includes prawns that are cooked in coconut sauce and are served along with steamed rice. The coconut sauce is prepared with coconut, garlic, onions, and chillies along with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and bay leaves.

Macher Malai

Macher Malai – Img Src: Google

  • Macher Jhol –

Macher jhol is, basically, fish stew that is made from Rohu fish and is served with rice and chapattis in most areas of Burdwan and west Bengal. It is seasoned with turmeric powder, garlic and onion paste. Potatoes are also added to the stew to give it a thick consistency. Macher jhol is a healthy dish and a major part of lunch and dinner of almost every Bengali family.

Macher Jhol

Macher Jhol – Img Src: @Google

  • Sarbhaja –

Sarbhaja literally means fried cream. It is a sweet dish that is made from deep frying several layers of fresh cream or condensed milk. It is made mainly on the occasion of Durga Puja and is a hot favourite of people during this time.

Sarbhaja

Sarbhaja -Img Src: Outlook Traveller

  • Moa –

Moa is a popular sweet dish that is made from jaggery from Date palm, puffed rice, ghee poppy seeds, cardamom and is a dish that you will find here in winter season. It is available in winters only as Jaggery from dates and puffed rice are available in this season only.

Moa

Moa – Img Src: Google

  • Kheer Kadam –

Kheer kadam is a sweet dish, which is a combination of two different tastes. The outer covering of sweet is pure khoya and the inner core includes solidified version of rosogulla.

Kheer Kadam

Kheer Kadam – Img Src:G. B. B.

  • Mishti Doi –

Mishti doi is a famous Bengali dessert, which is nothing but flavoured and fermented curd or dahi. It is flavoured with cardamom and saffron and is a major dessert in West Bengal, usually, served after meals.

Mishti Doi

Mishti Doi – Img Src: Flickr@Kirti

With so many mouth-watering delicacies, Burwan is a must visit place for food lovers.

Famous Foods of Thrissur

Thrissur, also called Trichur, is a city in Kerala with rich historical and cultural heritage and is known as the ‘Cultural Capital of Kerala’. The cuisine of Thrissur has been influenced deeply by the climate, indigenous crops and also factors like migration, influx of quite a number of religions into the area. Religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and even Judaism have contributed to the evolution of the cuisine of Thrissur. Therefore, the taste of food ranges from very mild to very sweet to very spicy and any other taste in between. The taste that can be enjoyed in Thrissur can rarely be compared to any other place.

  • Puttu:- Puttu is a unique delicacy that is chiefly eaten in Kerala. Rice is ground and filled into metal or bamboo holders in cylindrical form, along with coconut powder. These holders are then steamed. It is a breakfast dish and is paired with numerous side dishes.
Puttu

Puttu – Image Source:- Flicker

  • Vellayappam:- The Vellayappam of Thrissur is particularly famous and well adored, especially in the area of the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours. It looks and tastes similar to pancakes and is prepared out of a batter made from roast rice flour and grated coconuts. The batter is leavened using yeast or natural processes. It can be eaten with an assortment of side dishes.
Vellayappam - Image Source:Flicker @ Bhakshanam

Vellayappam – Image Source:Flicker @ Bhakshanam

  • Meen Porichathu:- A tasty fish fry recipe of this region, Meen Porichathu has a strong taste and aroma to it. The dish is cooked with a variety of spices like ginger, garlic, red chillies, green chillies, black pepper, fennel and curry leaves. It is common dinner food in this area and its surrounding, especially towards the coast.
Meen Porichathu

Meen Porichathu – Img Src: Flicker @ Asir

  • Mixed Vegetable Avial:- Avial is one of the speciality dishes of the region and forms an integral part of meals. A mixture of easily available vegetables is stewed with coconut and later seasoned with coconut oil and curry leaves, with or without mustard seeds. It is a very healthy dish and has different recipes and local twists to it.
Mixed Vegetable Avial

Mixed Vegetable Avial – Img Src: Flickr @ Tasty Palettes

  • Achappam:- Achappam is a biscuit/cookie like sweet dish from the Thrissur region. It has a delicate sweet taste and a light texture. A batter made from rice flour and coconut is pressed into a mould, which gives it a beautiful design. These are lightly fried and decorated with black sesame seeds. It tastes best in the evening along with tea. Achappam has a distinct crunch to it, as well.
Achappam

Achappam – Img Src: Flickr @ whatamieating

  • Banana Chips:- Banana chips of this region are known world over for its taste, which is seen nowhere else. Bananas are sliced into moderately thin pieces and then fried in a special coconut oil. This gives a unique taste to the chips. Salt and black pepper may be sprinkled if desired. It is another popular snack among the local residents.
Banana Chips

Banana Chips – Img Src: Flickr @ Dejoe

  • Malabar Mutton Biriyani:- Authentic Malabar Mutton Biriyani has a different taste than any other Biriyani that is cooked across India. The biryani is prepared with a painfully long process and that can be experienced while tasting it. It contains loads of spices and extracts, which make their presence felt in the mouth.
Malabar Mutton Biriyani

Malabar Mutton Biriyani – Img Src: Flickr @ Rasheed

  • Poduthol:- Poduthol is a green, rich, leafy side dish. It uses numerous ingredients like unripe jackfruit, bananas, carrots, beans, bitter gourds and other vegetables. Grated coconut, garlic, turmeric, chilli powder and onions are used to spice the dish up. It is traditionally cooked for lunch and dinner, especially during weddings.
Poduthol - Img Src: Google @Adadahs

Poduthol – Img Src: Google @Adadahs

  • Parota:- Although the name is similar to Parathas, this dish is quite different to taste. Dough made of purpose flour and oil is heavily kneaded with a lot of oil. It is then pressed and rolled to be shallow fried, preferably in coconut oil and can be eaten with curry.
Parota

Parota – Img Src: Google @ Masterchef

Famous Foods of Secunderabad

Secunderabad, popularly known as the twin city of Hyderabad, is named after Nizam Sikander Jah. Although Hyderabad and Secunderabad are called Twin Cities, yet they are very distinct from each other. The culture and cuisine have their own style. The cuisine of Secunderabad is broadly Deccan style. However, it has been influenced by other cuisines like Mughlai, Tamilian, Coastal Andhra style and Karnataka style of cooking. The taste of the food is hot and spicy with a royal touch. Ghee, butter and dry fruits are also used liberally along with nuts and spices. Non-vegetarian food is the specialty of this place.

  • Kacchi Biriyani:- Kacchi Biriyani is a delicacy, which is known for its aroma and spices. It is, typically, made with Basmati rice of high quality and fine mutton pieces. Raw marinated mutton used in the dish gives the dish its name. Different types of cardamoms and masalas are used to give it strong flavour. It is generally paired with raitha or curd and eaten hot.
  • Pesarattu:- Pesarattu is a crepe dish that is enjoyed in Telangana and Andhra region and is popular in Secunderabad. It is made from green gram and is extremely similar to dosa. Unlike dosa, however, Pesarattu does not contain any black gram. Green chillies, ginger, and onion may be included in the batter and is eaten with chutney.
  • Kali Mirch Pasandey:- Kali Mirch Pasandey is a local dish, which is high in demand during Ramzan season. They are a spicy steak made of beef. The meat is, usually, marinated in a mixture of rich spices and curd and is, generally, eaten for dinner. May be eaten alone or eaten with Naans, Rotis or Chappatis.
  • Dil Khush: A dessert that is loved by both kids and adults equally. It is a baked pie, with soft and crispy bread stuffed with cake leftovers. Sometimes, special filling for Dil Khush is also made separately. It is, usually, consumed as a teatime snack and is available in most of the local bakeries.
  • Baghara Baingan:- Baghara Baingan is a popular side dish in the Secunderabad region. It is usually eaten with the famous Biriyanis that are prepared here. The dish is a brinjal stew, which comes out quite thick. The recipe calls for a plenty of ingredients that give hot and creamy gravy in the end. The dish is of Mughlai origin and is completely vegetarian.
  • Chilli Salan:- Chilli Salan loosely translates to Curried Chilli. It is a fine accompaniment with many main courses of the meal. Peanuts give the curry a different taste and texture along with coconut. The salan is cooked with a Tamarind juice base. This dish has a taste that is not easily describable.
  • Boti Kebab:- Boti Kebab is a well-loved snack among the people of Secunderabad. Small pieces of mutton are marinated in a paste made from curd, onion slices and skewered. They are left overnight and grilled till they are golden brown or dark brown depending on the meat. Boti kebab is, usually, eaten as finger food.
  • Thotakura Pulusu Koora:- A local vegetarian specialty that is almost unheard of outside the region. The dish is a tamarind based stew with special leaves, which are known as Thotakura or Amaranth. The dish has a medium amount of spice coming from green chillies and turmeric. It is the best consumed hot with rice.
  • Gongura Pickle:- Gongura pickle is a unique pickle of this region, which is not really popular elsewhere. Made from gongura leaves, mustard oil, salt and chilli powder, gongura pickles are consumed here in large quantities. It has a pungent taste and a rich source of iron.

Famous Food of Erode

Erode is a splendid riverside city, on the banks of Kaveri, in the state of Tamil Nadu. The food of Erode is said to be authentic Tamil style cuisine with a hint of other South Indian influences, namely Andhra and Karnataka style of cooking. The food here is light, but very spicy, to suit the tropical weather of the region. Rice can be found in almost every other dish as it is a staple food, which is grown in abundance. Turmeric is also used in large quantities and Erode is even called ‘Turmeric City’ of India.

  • Erode Killu Kari:- Killu Kari is spicy mutton gravy with almost no frills. The simple recipe involves only mutton, chilli powder, onion, turmeric, ginger garlic paste and oil. This dish can also be eaten with hot steamed rice. Killu kari is so popular here that the city’s name is associated with the dish.
  • Uttappam:- Uttappam, a delicious variant of Dosa, is a thick rice cake with a generous helping of fried onions used as toppings. Sometimes shredded carrots and green coriander leaves might also be used. Uttappam is, usually, served with green coconut chutney and hot sambhar.
  • Poricha Kootu:- Poricha Kootu is a fried lentil stew. Fried dal is the base ingredient of the dish and pepper and coconut are the other important ingredients. Steamed vegetables of choice can be added according to taste. It is a dish very rich in protein and can be served as a side dish to rice, dosas and chapathis or rotis.
  • Kanji:- Kanji is a very popular breakfast dish that is made in this region. Although, it is sweet and salty rice porridge, many other cereals like broken wheat or pearl millet can be used to substitute rice. Milk is a vital ingredient, as well, which can be sweetened using jaggery or sugar as preferred.
  • Sambhar:- Sambhar is one of the most famous and popular curries, which define the cuisine of this region. It is a very hot and spicy curry made of a number of vegetables and a lot of exotic spices like chilli powder, pepper, cumin powder, turmeric and many more. It leaves a taste in your mouth long after consumed and is eaten best with idlis, dosas and a variety of rice dishes.
  • Payasam:- Payasam is a dessert dish, which is, usually, reserved for festive occasions or celebrations. It is similar to kheer, but the taste is quite varied. Fried seviya is used as the chief ingredient along with milk, ghee, and sugar. A variety of dry fruits and nuts are used to garnish the dish. It is also offered to the deities during special festivals.
  • Erode Pallipalayam Chicken:- This dish is another perennial favourite of non-vegetarians of Erode. It is a rich dish with a heavy garlic flavour to it and red chillies are used to give a spicy taste. Onions and turmeric are the other items used in the making of the dish. The dish can either be used as a snack or may be used as a side dish during a wholesome meal.
  • Katti Paruppu:- Katti Paruppu is a simple dal curry with limited seasoning. Chickpea dal is usually preferred. It is, generally, served at the start of the meal as an appetizer. The dish is also said to balance the spicy food that is consumed after it. This dish has an easy recipe and can be cooked in minutes.
  • Coconut chutney:- The chutneys found here are different than what can be found in the Northern part of India. Coconut chutney is the most common kind. Scraped coconut is grinded with green or red chillies and a seasoning of oil is poured over it. It is served with various types of foods.

Famous Food of Bina

Bina is a quaint town in the Northern part of Madhya Pradesh. Its old name was Etawa and some locals still use the old name. The town is very close to the Uttar Pradesh – Madhya Pradesh border. Wheat is grown in abundance here and is also a staple food of the people here. The cuisine of Bina Etawa is a mixture of many styles. Madhya Pradesh style with a huge influence of Uttar Pradesh’s ‘Awadhi’ brand of cooking can be clearly seen. Apart from that, a bit of Bihari style peeks out in the mix. The region has both traditional and modern cooking styles and dishes.

  • Dal Roti: – Though Dal Roti seems like a common staple food, the Dal Roti combination of Bina is totally different. The roti is made from the highest quality of wheat grown locally and the dal is made extra thick with no useless or heavy frills. It makes a hearty meal.
  • Kheer Puri: – Kheer Puri is an unusual, but enjoyable pairing of two dishes that is done here. Kheer or sweet rice pudding with cashew or almonds and a few strands of saffron is eaten along with deep fried wheat dough. This is not a typical breakfast and is usually eaten during festivals like Janmashtami.
  • Daliya: – Daliya is a popular breakfast item of this region. Daliya literally means broken wheat. A savoury pudding is made with the broken wheat along with milk and salt. Spices like cumin and chilli powder are added, as well to give a taste. Daliya is a simple dish, usually eaten for breakfast with a glass of milk.
  • Lapsi: – Lapsi is a sweet dish famous for its gentle taste and rich aroma. It has Gujarati roots, but it has become very popular around Bina. Broken wheat is cooked in pure ghee and sweetened with sugar. Cardamom powder gives the flavour and aroma to the dessert. Pistachios may be added if desired. It is a wholesome sweet.
  • Bhutte ki Kheer: – Another dish that sets the cuisine of Bina apart, Bhutte ki Kheer uses corn as the main ingredient in a sweet dish. Fresh corn is grated and then pan fried in ghee. The usual recipe for Kheer is followed by adding milk and sugar to the mix. It has a different taste and must not be missed.
  • Dal Bhari Puri: – This is a delectable little dish that is full of energy. Lentils are made into a thick preparation with consistency of a semi-solid. This is stuffed into wheat dough and deep fried until golden brown. Dal Bhari Puri dish doesn’t need any accompaniments, however, if you choose, you may use some fresh greens.
  • Besan Laddoo: – Besan Laddoo is an interesting dessert dish that is quite popular in Bina. It is prepared for festivities and celebrations. The chief ingredient is gram flour, which is roasted in ghee. Sugar is added and the entire preparation is hand-rolled into small balls. Cashews and almonds may be used as decorations on the laddoos.
  • Bhindi Masala: – Bhindi masala is dish that is a favourite of okra or ladyfinger lovers. Okras are cut and fried lightly along with chillies and gram flour. They are then dipped in spicy tomato based gravy with a hint of mint leaves. Bhindi masala is, usually, eaten with Chapatis, Rotis or any other kind of Indian bread.
  • Khatta Meetha Chivda: – This chivda is a popular tea time snack of the region. It is made with fried beaten rice, which is given sweet and sour flavours using salt, sugar, groundnuts, oil and turmeric. A few raisins can also be added to enhance the taste of the snack.