From lamb slow-cooked in earthen pots to kheer with makhanas, explore the diversity of Punjabi cuisine at an ongoing food festival
If you thought Punjabi food was all about creamy dal makhani or butter chicken and naan, think again. “These are restaurant dishes that hardly ever make an appearance on the traditional Punjabi table,” shares corporate chef Gurpreet Singh Gehdu, who has curated the Rangla Punjab festival at Punjab Grill. The 12-day food festival will introduce city gourmands to the rich, cultural diversity of the state. The menu includes an almost forgotten beverage known as Kaali Gajar di Kaanji, pickles like Gobhi Shalgam and Meat Da Achaar, and main course dishes such as Kotkapura Atta Chicken (origins in the historic city of Kotkapur), Macchi De Pakode, Pind Da Saag, Harey Chholiya Da Pulao with Maa Chholey Di Daal as well as desserts like Gurh Wale Chawal and Makhane Di Kheer.
Makhane Di Kheer is made from farm-fresh milk, not the packaged variety
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“The most important characteristic of the dishes cooked in Punjabi villages is the use of fresh ingredients and the sanjha-chulha concept, which lends smokiness and flavour. Since the recipes have been passed onto me by my family, we have tried to maintain the authenticity in the restaurant setting too,” says Gehdu.
Yummy facts from the menu:
>> The curries of Punjab aren’t soaked in oil or spices. So, the Kunna Meat (named after the kunna or the earthen pot the lamb is cooked in) has been cooked without rogan josh or garam masala. It is slow-cooked with onions, ginger-garlic and green chillies. The pot’s ceramic wall adds the flavour.
>> The star dish, Kotkapura Atta Chicken, is a whole chicken cleaned, pierced, and marinated overnight in yoghurt, vinegar, spices like dry mango powder and black pepper, salt, and red bean stew. The meat is encased in wheat flour dough, and is roasted in a tandoor. It takes about three hours to cook, where the dough hardens and turns black, and locks the juices and the flavours of the meat and the spices within.
>> Makhane Di Kheer is a dessert made from thickened milk with lotus seeds fried in ghee, and is sprinkled with nutmeg for added flavour. It’s made with milk straight from the farm.
Chef Gurpreet Singh Gehdu
Till March 16 AT Lower Parel and Andheri (W) outposts
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