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 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 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.

Famous Food of Jabalpur

Jabalpur is a wonderful and intriguing town on the Narmada basin of Madhya Pradesh. It is a big urban centre with lots of industries having their base in this region. The food of Jabalpur is influenced by a number of factors like British history, topography of the region and the available resources. The cuisine has seen the marks of Mughlai style, Rajasthani recipes and Gujarati way of cooking. Jabalpur cuisine is said to be rich, spicy and creamy. The hospitality of the region is unmatched and visitors and guests visiting this town will be warmly welcomed by the local people, who sometimes may even invite you into their house for a hearty conversation and a meal.

  • Khopra Pak: – The Khopra Pak is a delicious sweet of this region, which has become pretty famous. It is a lightly flavoured coconut based dessert, which is flavoured by the addition of cardamom and saffron. The key ingredient, which gives a soft texture and sweet taste, is the ‘mawa’ or thickened sweet milk.
  • Pilaf with Peas and Carrots: – A distinct local take on pulao, Pilaf with peas and carrot is a unique dish found in the region of Jabalpur. Long and aromatic basmati rice, cooked along with light spices like bay leaves, cumin seeds, whole cloves with chopped garlic and onions. The peas and carrots are the crown pieces of the dish, which give it the final touches of flavour to it. It is eaten with raitha on the side.
  • Seekh Kebab: – Kebabs of Madhya Pradesh are well known and particularly Seekh Kebab around Jabalpur is frequently recommended. Minced mutton is rolled into sausage-shaped pieces after mixing with a number of spices and vegetables. It is then grilled or cooked in a tandoor after being basted with butter. They are crunchy on the outside and soft, moist and chewy on the inside.
  • Sabudana Khichidi: – Sabudana Khichdi is the popular and frequently eaten local version of Khichdi. Sabudana is nothing, but the local name for Tapioca Pearls, which is used as a substitution for rice in the Khichdi recipe. Coarsely powdered and roasted peanuts with salt and sugar give it the texture and taste. The dish is spiced up with heated oil, cumin seeds and a bit of chopped green chilli.
  • Malpua: – Malpua is a sweet dish that has an origin in the Bengali speaking regions of India and Bangladesh. There are many variants of this dessert, which differ from region to region and Jabalpur has its own spin on Malpua. Here it takes the shape of a pancake, which is prepared from the mixture of milk, flour, semolina and curd.
  • Rabdi: – Rabdi is a sweet dish, which is made out of flour and has curd as a base ingredient. It is, usually, an accompaniment with rotis, which are made from Bajra. It also serves as the base ingredient of several sweet dishes. Salty and spicy version of rabdi also exists. It is a frequently eaten sweet in Jabalpur.
  • Chicken Samosa: – Chicken Samosa is a non-vegetarian fried snack that has great demand in Jabalpur region. A flour shell is filled with spices and chicken meat stuffing. The preparation is then deep fried until brown and hard and is eaten with chutneys. Sometimes it is enjoyed after being mashed and extra liquid masala is added on top.
  • Khoye ki Jalebi: – Jalebis are available everywhere, but Khoye ki Jalebi has a different recipe giving a taste unlike any of those. The recipe uses thickened milk and dipped in sugar syrup. Rosewater is also added to the Jalebis gives them very strong and attractive aroma and slightly changed taste. Get them in local sweet stalls.

Famous Food of Satna

Satna is a city, which is in the eastern part of Madhya Pradesh. It is the headquarters of the border district named after it, which touches Uttar Pradesh along the north. One can easily find the influences of the cuisines of close by states such as Uttar Pradesh and Chattisgarh on the food culture of Satna along with a hint of Bihari cuisine. Such a conglomeration of cuisines has evolved with time to give Satna a distinct cuisine of its own. The food of Satna is known not only for being very nutritious, but also for being very delicious.

  • Litti:-

Litti is a fast food that has a smoky and earthy flavour to it. Fried balls of wheat flour and gram flour are made and stuffed with a mixture called ‘Pitthi’ prepared with spices, ginger and green chilly. Litti is consumed at lunch or dinner. Litti is borrowed from Bihari cuisine and is quite popular in Satna.

  • Chokha:-

Chokha is a side dish to be eaten with Indian breads like Chapathis and rotis, but usually paired with Litti. It is a brinjal or eggplant based dish. Charred brinjal is cooked with mashed potatoes, chillies and spices along with bits of tomatoes. Onions and lime are usually added to enhance the taste and the feel of the dish.

  • Moth Dal Namkeen:-

Moth dal namkeen is a local favourite savoury. It is made from a mixture of healthy pulses and lentils, which are roasted or deep, fried. The chief ingredient is Moth dal or Dew beans. Moth Dal namkeen is particularly enjoyed during tea time and often served to guests.

  • Shikanjhi:-

Shikanjhi is a spiced up cold drink that is a popular in North and Central India and the people of Satna are quite fond of it. It is made from lemon pulp and water with the addition of sugar and salt. The spices that are added to this juice are pepper, ginger, mint and cumin powder.

  • Mango Pickle:-

The Mango Pickle of this region is so famous that an industry of pickle-making has been set up in Madhya Pradesh. The process of making spicy mango pickle is very simple. Raw mangoes are cut into small pieces and spiced up. The spices, which are commonly added, are red chilli powder, pepper and cumin powder. This mixture is bottled up in an air-tight container and used as necessary.

  • Dahi Bhalla:-

Dahi Bhalla is a sweet and sour street snack that is famous is Satna and North India as a whole. Dahi Bhalla consists of a deep fried lentil and pulse mixture, which is later marinated in curd or yoghurt and left to cool. The mixture is often spiced with cumin and charoli seeds. It is often served cold along with sweet tamarind sauce or chutney and sev on top. It is known to be a comfort food.

  • Phalhari Potato Chiwda:-

It is a light snack made from fried potato strips and groundnuts. It has a sweet taste with a dose of pungent flavour and served as a teatime snack. It is also used as energy food during times of long travel.

  • Chhola Burger:-

Chhola Burger is a relatively new invention and quite popular among the youth of this region. Chickpeas cooked in spicy gravy are stuffed between burger buns along with the additives and condiments of your choice. It is said to taste best when eaten with ketchup.

  • Badam Milk:-

Badam Milk is a perennial favourite drink in and around this region. Crushed almonds are mixed in milk along with sugar and a spoonful of ghee. It can be consumed in both hot and cold forms as wished.