Authentic Punjabi Cuisine Recipes: A Flavorful Journey

Punjabi cuisine is known for its bold flavours, rich ingredients, and hearty dishes. Whether you’re craving a spicy curry, buttery bread, or a refreshing drink, Punjabi food has something for everyone. Let’s explore some classic Punjabi recipes that bring the essence of Punjab to your kitchen!

1. Introduction to Punjabi Cuisine

• Punjabi food is known for its rich flavours, aromatic spices, and use of dairy.
• Most dishes are prepared with ghee, butter, or mustard oil, giving them a distinct taste.
• Cooking methods include tandoor (clay oven cooking), slow cooking, and tempering with spices.

2. Essential Punjabi Spices and Ingredients

A. Commonly Used Spices

• Garam Masala – A blend of warming spices.
• Cumin and Coriander – Adds depth to curries and dals.
• Turmeric and Red Chili Powder – Gives colour and spice to dishes.

B. Key Ingredients

• Dairy – Ghee, butter, yogurt, and paneer are staples.
• Wheat Flour – Used for parathas, rotis, and naans.
• Legumes and Lentils – The base of many dals like Rajma and Dal Makhani.

3. Classic Punjabi Recipes

A. Breakfast Delights

1. Aloo Paratha (Stuffed Potato Flatbread)

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour
• Boiled potatoes, mashed
• Green chillies, coriander, and spices
• Butter or ghee for cooking

Method:

1. Mix mashed potatoes with spices and herbs.
2. Stuff the mixture into dough balls and roll them into parathas.
3. Cook on a hot pan with ghee until golden brown.
4. Serve with yogurt and pickles.

2. Chole Bhature (Chickpea Curry with Fried Bread)

Ingredients:

• Chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, and spices
• Flour, yogurt, and baking soda for bhature

Method:

1. Soak and cook chickpeas with a rich tomato-based masala.
2. Prepare a soft dough, roll, and deep-fry bhature.
3. Serve hot with onion rings and a slice of lemon.

B. Hearty Lunch and Dinner Dishes

3. Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Ingredients:

• Chicken, butter, tomatoes, and cream
• Ginger, garlic, and garam masala

Method:

1. Marinate chicken in yoghurt and spices.
2. Cook in a butter-rich tomato gravy.
3. Finish with cream and serve with naan.

4. Dal Makhani (Creamy Black Lentils)

Ingredients:

• Whole black lentils, kidney beans, butter, and cream
• Onions, tomatoes, and garlic

Method:

1. Slow-cook lentils until soft.
2. Prepare a rich tomato-based gravy with butter.
3. Mix and cook until creamy. Serve with jeera rice.

C. Punjabi Breads and Rice

5. Makki di Roti (Corn Flour Flatbread) & Sarson da Saag (Mustard Greens Curry)

Ingredients:

• Cornmeal, salt, and water for roti
• Mustard greens, spinach, garlic, and ginger for saag

Method:

1. Knead the cornmeal into a dough and roll it into rotis.
2. Cook the saag with garlic, ginger, and butter until smooth.
3. Serve with butter and jaggery.

6. Jeera Rice (Cumin Flavored Rice)

Ingredients:

• Basmati rice, cumin seeds, ghee, and salt

Method:

1. Sauté cumin seeds in ghee.
2. Add soaked rice and cook until fluffy.
3. Serve with dal or curry.

D. Sweet Punjabi Treats

7. Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Pudding)

Ingredients:

• Grated carrots, milk, sugar, and ghee
• Cardamom and nuts for garnish

Method:

1. Cook carrots in milk until soft.
2. Add sugar and ghee, and cook until thick.
3. Garnish with nuts and serve warm.

8. Gulab Jamun (Sweet Fried Dumplings in Syrup)

Ingredients:

• Khoya (reduced milk), flour, and sugar syrup

Method:

1. Make soft dough balls and fry until golden.
2. Soak in warm sugar syrup and serve.

4. Punjabi Drinks to Refresh Your Palate

• Lassi – Sweet or salted yoghurt drink.
• Masala Chai – Spiced tea with ginger and cardamom.
• Badam Milk – Almond-flavored saffron milk.

Punjabi cuisine is a celebration of flavours, tradition, and hospitality. Whether it’s a rich curry, stuffed paratha, or a cooling lassi, these recipes bring the essence of Punjab to your home!