Haryana is a state where a majority of people are in the agriculture or dairy business. Being one of the wealthiest states in the country, Haryana offers an exciting range of cuisines that give you a true taste of Punjabi delicacies. Some of the main ingredients used in Haryanvi dishes are buffalo milk, cow milk, natural ghee, and butter.
Although the delicacies here are known for simplicity, the state often attracts tourists for some special recipes, in dessert and savoury food. If you are a foodie who loves to explore different food cultures in India, pay a visit to Haryana to explore the North Indian culinary heritage. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 traditional foods of Haryana that taste incredibly tasty and are healthy. Let’s take a look.
Top 10 Traditional Dishes of Haryana
1. Singri Ki Sabzi
The amazing combo of Singri and berry creates this wonderful spicy recipe that’s quite common in every household in Haryana. It’s made by stir-frying Singri and soaking the beans overnight. These beans are then boiled in water for 15-20 minutes. These are then cooked with all the essential spices, including amchur powder, in the pan. Yoghurt is also added to get a thick and creamy gravy.
Singri Ki Sabzi tastes great as a standalone food, but people mostly have it with Parathas. Since Haryana is known as the land of Rotis, it’s quite common for locals to eat most dishes with Roti, Puri, or Parathas here. Native to Haryana and Rajasthan, Singri Ki Sabzi is a staple food and signature cuisine of these states. If you happen to visit Haryana, make sure you order this Sabzi on Swiggy.
2. Mixed Daal
A simple yet incredibly tasty recipe, Mixed Daal is something every Indian craves regularly. Haryana produces a considerable volume of Daal and has thus given us many varieties of Daal recipes. If you are in the state, order a plate of mixed daal, which is a combination of Toor Daal, Moong Daal, Masoor Daal, Urad Daal, and Chana Daal.
The recipe often has a very thick texture and is cooked in natural ghee and with spices. The red chilly, garam masala, tomatoes, and essential spices are used in the recipe. You can have Mixed Daal with plain or Jeera Rice and Papad. You could also have it with Roti or Paratha.
3. Kadhi Pakoda
Although it’s a pretty common dish in India, Kadhi Pakoda is a thick gravy made of yoghurt and gram flour. The creamy texture of the gravy with Pakodas, which are made of Besan and spices. The soft flavour of Kadhi Pakoda tastes wonderful with plain Parathas and rice. It’s also a lightweight dish for days when you don’t want to eat too spicy and heavy.
4. Tamatar Chutney
Another spicy yet flavourful recipe you can have at a Haryanvi restaurant is Tamatar Chutney. It’s popular all over India, but Haryana has a special way of making this spicy chutney that leaves people craving more. Made with onion, garlic, and tomatoes, Tamatar Chutney tastes amazing with Aloo Paratha or plain Paratha. You can also have it with plain or Jeera rice.
The tangy, sweet, and spicy flavours of this recipe will satisfy your hunger pangs. It’s also a pretty easy recipe, but if you are in Haryana, visit a local restaurant or a Dhaba and savour this delicacy of Haryana.
5. Mithe Chawal
Haryana is as famous for its sweet delicacies as its spicy and savoury food. Mithe Chawal, for instance, is commonly prepared during weddings and special occasions. These are made of Basmati rice, which is grown in large volumes in Haryana. Mithe Chawal consists of ghee, sugar, cardamom powder, saffron, and other spices that lend it a sweet and distinct taste.
The resulting dish is garnished with dry fruits. Rice is cooked normally, i.e. they are washed and soaked in water. During cooking, ghee, sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron are used to add flavour to the recipe. If you are craving a sweet dish after your meal, order Mithe Chawal. These are often served hot and melt right away in your mouth.
6. Bajara Khichdi
The list of Haryana’s traditional food will be incomplete without Bajara Khichdi. The dish is quite popular all over India and is considered quite healthy. It’s also pretty lightweight and a perfect meal for those planning to lose weight. But what sets Haryanvi Khichdi apart from the regular one is the use of Bajara instead of rice.
To prepare this, Bajara is soaked overnight and cooked with Moong Dal with all the essential spices. If you are not supposed to have rice but are missing the Khichdi badly, try Bajara Khichdi in Haryana to savour the good taste of the state while keeping your weight in check.
7. Methi Gajar
The combo of sweet and spicy flavours in Methi Gajar makes this recipe a must-try in Haryana. The recipe is pretty simple. Carrot and fenugreek seeds are tossed in the pan with all the spices, a dash of sugar and salt, and garam masala. You can have it with Chapati and Paratha. It’s a perfect recipe for vegetarians looking for something simple yet scrumptious in Haryanvi Dhabas. It’s also commonly cooked in households, because of the simple recipe and its high nutritious value. The next time you crave a veg recipe, try Methi Gajar.
8. Alsi Ki Pinni
Another sweet delicacy hailing from Haryana is Alsi Ki Pinni. These are laddoos made of flax seeds. The winter-special Alsi Ki Pinni recipe is perfect for kids and adults who want a nutritious sweet dish. You can have it as a snack or store it for regular use. The dessert is made of flax seeds (Alsi), ghee, sugar, and wheat flour.
All the ingredients are mixed and shaped into balls. Alsi is packed with essential nutrients, like omega-3 and iron. So, it’s not just delicious but comes with many health benefits, making it a perfect recipe for your little ones.
9. Dahi Vada
Famous in all parts of North India, Dahi Vada is made of Yogurt and Pakoras, which are soaked overnight and then dipped into the yoghurt gravy. The resulting dish is the perfect blend of spicy and sweet recipes. To make it more amazing, different kinds of Chutneys, chilli powder, and cumin powder are sprinkled on the Vadas.
The dish is served cold and is garnished with spices and Chaat Masala. Different variants of Dahi Vada are made in India, but Haryanvi-special Vadas taste delicious. The perfect amount of sweetness and spiciness in the dish make it irresistible. The next time you visit Haryana, order a plate of Dahi Vada online and enjoy this delicacy.
10. Rajma Chawal
Red kidney beans, or Rajma, make a perfect combination with plain rice and are often cooked on days when you are craving a healthy and simple meal. Rajma is soaked in water overnight and then cooked with different spices, lending it a delicious taste. The Rajma Chawal is served with vegetable salad.
Bottom Line
These are the best traditional foods in Haryana. If you visit Haryana, order these sweet, savoury, and spicy delicacies to enjoy the state’s deliciousness.