Think of Bihar and litti chokha dipped in desi ghee come to mind. But Bihar’s food is so much more than litti chokha. For anyone from this region in North India, Champaran mutton curry , sarson fish curry, chana-lauki daal, aloo chana jhol and masala egg curry are all comfort foods.
Whether you’re craving a simple vegetarian meal or weekend special non-veg thalis, Bihar offers a range of curries that hit home. These curries are not only food but emotion for a foodie and rank high on rustic warmth and flavour.
Let’s have a look at 10 unique curries from Bihar for a soulful food experience:
Champaran Mutton Curry
Champaran is a region in Bihar which is globally famous for its slow-cooked mutton curry in an earthen pot called handi. The entire dish is a trap of flavour which will leave you wanting for more. The tender meat is cooked slowly allowing flavours to mix in well. The dish can be enjoyed with rotis, naan or steamed rice.
Aloo Chana Jhol
Aloo Chana Jhol is made using boiled potatoes and chickpeas. It tastes a little tangy and spicy at the same time. When the softness of boiled potato meets the nuttiness of the chickpeas, it creates a unique mouthwatering combination which feels home-made. You can enjoy it with steamed rice or puris.
Kadhi Bari
In most households of North India, Thursdays are fixed for kadhi bari. This simple, healthy and super delicious yellow coloured dish is made of gram flour dumplings which are called bari and dipped in gram flour and yoghurt-based gravy. This tangy yet creamy dish is quite comforting and warm. Plus, it is also good for digestion because of the yoghurt content.
Lauki Chana Dal
It sounds simple but when you put a spoonful of this curry in your mouth, you get a taste of rustic-traditional chulha-cooked daal. It is a simple everyday curry in Bihar and is quite nourishing. Bottleguard or lauki is easy on the stomach and chana dal adds to protein content. Eat it with rice and a dollop of ghee. A perfect hearty meal on weekends!
Aloo Baingan Curry
Potatoes and brinjal when cooked together in desi spices, one of the best vegetarian curries in Bihari cuisine is prepared. The contrast of soft potato and baingan feels heavenly and comforting. And the smoky flavour from the baingan just adds to the overall experience. .
Kathal Aloo Curry
Kathal Aloo Curry is a perfect replacement for people who don’t eat non-veg. It is made using jackfruit and potatoes cooked with desi spices. Because jackfruit offers a meaty texture and has immense health benefits, people enjoy it in Bihar. Relish it with hot rotis, or plain steamed rice.
Sarson (mustard) Fish Curry
Bihar’s rivers are rich in fish which are used to prepare some delicious fish curries in mustard paste, garlic, and mustard oil. Simply mouthwatering. The pungent mustard oil aroma with garlic makes the dish homely and extremely satisfying. This is best paired with steamed rice.
Egg Curry
Bihari-style egg curry is unique and tastes divine! Made in mustard-oil and simple spices, this is a regular comfort dish in every Bihari household. Eggs are delicious, and full of health benefits and are simpler to cook. A satisfying curry that can be enjoyed with rotis and steamed rice.
Chana Ghugni
Chana Ghugni is a unique home-kitchen curry of Bihar. It is made using black or brown chickpeas cooked in a mix of regional spices. The gravy is prepared from onions, green chilli, lemon and mustard oil, and tastes absolutely divine! Chickpeas for many is a comfort food which is a mix of protein and flavour that can be relished with puris, parathas or rice.
Why are these curries considered the ultimate comfort food
Regional authenticity: Bihari cuisine scores high on authenticity. It is a mix of culture, tradition and Bihari warmth.
Ghar ka khana: Each of these dishes are rooted in everyday cooking in Bihar. Even the restaurants in Bihar give you a homely vibe.
Simple ingredients: People rely on local staples in Bihar. Potatoes, chickpeas, bottleguard , mustard oil are simple ingredients but pack in flavour.
Balance of texture: Soft vegetables, hearty chickpeas, tender meat are paired with simple spiced gravies. These textures bring comfort.
Emotions: For anyone with an upbringing in Bihar, these curries are an emotion.
Strong flavours: Mustard oil, garlic, whole spices along with different cooking techniques give a character to Bihari cuisine. These offer warmth, heartiness and flavours like no other.
These curries of Bihar evoke emotions and remind of family get together, rainy afternoons and winter sun and comfort food is often as much about memory as taste! So next time you plan a trip to this beautiful state, make sure to enjoy these hearty curries which will make your experience more delicious and memorable.
Whether you’re craving a simple vegetarian meal or weekend special non-veg thalis, Bihar offers a range of curries that hit home. These curries are not only food but emotion for a foodie and rank high on rustic warmth and flavour.
Let’s have a look at 10 unique curries from Bihar for a soulful food experience:
Champaran Mutton Curry
Champaran is a region in Bihar which is globally famous for its slow-cooked mutton curry in an earthen pot called handi. The entire dish is a trap of flavour which will leave you wanting for more. The tender meat is cooked slowly allowing flavours to mix in well. The dish can be enjoyed with rotis, naan or steamed rice.
Aloo Chana Jhol
Aloo Chana Jhol is made using boiled potatoes and chickpeas. It tastes a little tangy and spicy at the same time. When the softness of boiled potato meets the nuttiness of the chickpeas, it creates a unique mouthwatering combination which feels home-made. You can enjoy it with steamed rice or puris.
Kadhi Bari
In most households of North India, Thursdays are fixed for kadhi bari. This simple, healthy and super delicious yellow coloured dish is made of gram flour dumplings which are called bari and dipped in gram flour and yoghurt-based gravy. This tangy yet creamy dish is quite comforting and warm. Plus, it is also good for digestion because of the yoghurt content.
Lauki Chana Dal
It sounds simple but when you put a spoonful of this curry in your mouth, you get a taste of rustic-traditional chulha-cooked daal. It is a simple everyday curry in Bihar and is quite nourishing. Bottleguard or lauki is easy on the stomach and chana dal adds to protein content. Eat it with rice and a dollop of ghee. A perfect hearty meal on weekends!
Aloo Baingan Curry
Potatoes and brinjal when cooked together in desi spices, one of the best vegetarian curries in Bihari cuisine is prepared. The contrast of soft potato and baingan feels heavenly and comforting. And the smoky flavour from the baingan just adds to the overall experience. .
Kathal Aloo Curry
Kathal Aloo Curry is a perfect replacement for people who don’t eat non-veg. It is made using jackfruit and potatoes cooked with desi spices. Because jackfruit offers a meaty texture and has immense health benefits, people enjoy it in Bihar. Relish it with hot rotis, or plain steamed rice.
Sarson (mustard) Fish Curry
Bihar’s rivers are rich in fish which are used to prepare some delicious fish curries in mustard paste, garlic, and mustard oil. Simply mouthwatering. The pungent mustard oil aroma with garlic makes the dish homely and extremely satisfying. This is best paired with steamed rice.
Egg Curry
Bihari-style egg curry is unique and tastes divine! Made in mustard-oil and simple spices, this is a regular comfort dish in every Bihari household. Eggs are delicious, and full of health benefits and are simpler to cook. A satisfying curry that can be enjoyed with rotis and steamed rice.
Chana Ghugni
Chana Ghugni is a unique home-kitchen curry of Bihar. It is made using black or brown chickpeas cooked in a mix of regional spices. The gravy is prepared from onions, green chilli, lemon and mustard oil, and tastes absolutely divine! Chickpeas for many is a comfort food which is a mix of protein and flavour that can be relished with puris, parathas or rice.
Why are these curries considered the ultimate comfort food
Regional authenticity: Bihari cuisine scores high on authenticity. It is a mix of culture, tradition and Bihari warmth.
Ghar ka khana: Each of these dishes are rooted in everyday cooking in Bihar. Even the restaurants in Bihar give you a homely vibe.
Simple ingredients: People rely on local staples in Bihar. Potatoes, chickpeas, bottleguard , mustard oil are simple ingredients but pack in flavour.
Balance of texture: Soft vegetables, hearty chickpeas, tender meat are paired with simple spiced gravies. These textures bring comfort.
Emotions: For anyone with an upbringing in Bihar, these curries are an emotion.
Strong flavours: Mustard oil, garlic, whole spices along with different cooking techniques give a character to Bihari cuisine. These offer warmth, heartiness and flavours like no other.
These curries of Bihar evoke emotions and remind of family get together, rainy afternoons and winter sun and comfort food is often as much about memory as taste! So next time you plan a trip to this beautiful state, make sure to enjoy these hearty curries which will make your experience more delicious and memorable.
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