Punjabi Food – An Overview of The Punjabi Cuisine
Punjabi food in Pakistan has an importance that no other cuisine can ever have. You’ll know what we’re discussing if you’ve ever had this delicious cuisine.
Punjab and its food are different emotions you should take advantage of if you’re in Punjab. The perfect blend of spices, the cooking methods, and the fresh ingredients used in Punjabi dishes make them unique, and the aroma is divine.
Some major cities in Punjab are famous for food, and there’s a good reason behind it. Even sometimes, the residents of these cities argue and compete with each other, but no one wins because the food everywhere is just beyond the goodness!
Punjabi culture is a lot about food; they know how to appreciate food because they love to eat! All the cities of the most populous province of Pakistan have some sweet and savory specialty that is truly unbeatable. Every time you visit Punjab, you should visit as many cities as possible and try out the mouthwatering things there.
For Punjabis, food is life, and they leave no stone unturned in making their dishes delicious and finger-licking; that’s why you should keep it on your bucket list to have a whole new experience.
In this article, we’ve compiled some information on the cultural food of Punjab that you’ll find helpful while finding something good to eat in Punjab. So let’s check it!
Evolution of Punjabi Cuisine
Punjabi cuisine has always been the best way to unite people, whether from India or Pakistan; as long as it’s Punjabi, it’s delicious! You must’ve got an idea of Punjabi food’s origin. Yes, it’s from the Punjab region of India, where the name comes from. And if we look at it even before, this cuisine has its roots connected to the Indus Valley Civilization.
So Punjabi cuisine can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The people of that era used to cook food in pots, similar to how food is cooked in Punjab.
Punjabi cuisine has been around for centuries, and it has evolved. The main reason behind this evolution is the change in lifestyle and food preferences of people living in Punjab.
Punjab is a land of abundant resources, reflected in the diverse ingredients used in Punjabi cuisine. Spices are also widespread in Punjabi dishes, giving them unique flavor and aroma.
The Vedic period, during which there were Sikhs in Punjab, saw a significant development in the field of cooking, and new methods and ingredients got introduced. Hence, the Vedic period is also considered the golden age of Punjabi cuisine.
Contemporary Punjabi cuisine is different from that of previous times. The difference is in the methods and use of spices; back then, herbs were less used in Punjabi food. But now you’ll get to eat a perfect blend of spices in Punjabi cuisine.
Cooking Styles and Method
Punjabi cuisine is known for its rich and creamy taste. Clarified butter, or desi ghee, makes Punjabi dishes rich and tasty.
Punjabi food has its specific method of cooking, like all other provinces. However, there is more than one method to cook mouthwatering Punjabi cuisine.
In villages, people still use traditional methods and equipment for cooking Punjabi food. The most famous techniques are woodfired and masonry ovens. The Woodfire method is the foundation of all the cuisines in the world.
Punjabis use this method to grill, smoke, and barbecue their food. It imparts a unique flavor to the dish, which can not be replicated by any other cooking method.
Masonry ovens are known as tandoor and make naan, kulcha, roti, and tandoori chicken.
Another method that’s gaining popularity nationwide is the Tandoori cooking style. Punjabi cuisine is also known for its tandoori dishes. Tandoor is a unique clay oven in which the food is cooked over a charcoal fire.
The Mughals introduced this cooking method, and it quickly became popular in Indian Punjab when after the partition in 1947, Punjabis resettled in Dehli and its surroundings.
Modern methods and cooking styles have also been adopted in cooking Punjabi food. Electric and gas ovens are now widely used for cooking as well. However, the cooking types and ingredients used are similar to the older era. And the taste is getting better with time.
Main Ingredients of Punjabi Food
Punjabi cuisine is a combination of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The main ingredients used in Punjabi food are wheat, rice, pulses, vegetables, and meat.
Punjabi food is known for its spices. A variety of herbs are used to make Punjabi dishes flavorful and aromatic. Some of the most commonly used spices in Punjabi cuisine are cumin, coriander, fenugreek, black pepper, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon.
Punjabi cuisine is incomplete without pickles. Therefore, Achar (Pickle) is integral to the Punjabi meal. Various achars are made in Punjab using different vegetables and fruits.
Besides all these things, cooks use many ingredients and spices to prepare those delicious Punjabi dishes. Here are some other common ingredients used in Punjabi meals.
1. Ghee
Ghee is a form of clarified butter used extensively in Punjabi cooking. It’s heated and cooked until it turns solid brown and gives a nutty flavor.
Primarily ghee is used to soak the flatbreads and prepares sweets for ceremonies and festive occasions. In meals, ghee is used for frying spices, onions, garlic, and ginger before adding other ingredients.
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are used fresh or as tomato puree to make thick gravy for curries.
They are also a side dish; spices like fenugreek, cumin, and red chili powder make delicious sabzi.
Tomatoes are essential in many popular Punjabi dishes like rajma, channa masala, kadhi, and aloo matar.
3. Green Chillies
Green chilies are the life of any Punjabi dish! You can’t have a Punjabi curry without green chilies.
They are used to add spice and flavor to dishes. Fresh green chilies are also a side dish, dipped in tamarind chutney or yogurt.
4. Lassi
Lassi is the traditional drink of Punjab, without which no meal is complete. It is a refreshing yogurt-based drink that can be sweet or salty.
A glass of Lassi is a must after a heavy Punjabi meal to help digest all the spices and ghee.
Punjabi food is rich, flavorful, and hearty. The dishes are usually made with ghee (clarified butter), butter, and cream.
Role of Spices in Punjabi Cuisine
Punjabi cuisine would be incomplete without the use of spices. Spices add flavor to food and have many health benefits. In Punjabi cuisine, spices are used to host the taste of the meal, and you can make a delicious meal with essential ingredients if you use the right amount of spices.
Spices play an integral role in any Punjabi meal, but more than that, the right amount of spices is all that it takes! If you overuse any of the spices even a bit, you won’t get the required taste, and you might end up ruining the dish. So there’s the need to be careful when adding spices to a Punjabi dish.
Some of the most commonly used spices in Punjabi dishes are cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. In addition, crushed red chilies, salt, and turmeric are the basic spices for cooking any random Punjabi dish.
These spices are used to make a variety of spice blends, like garam masala, which is a must-have in any Punjabi household. Moreover, it’s a must for Punjabis to garnish every meal with coriander leaves at the end; the crunchy taste of coriander makes it even more delicious.
Staple Food of Punjab
Punjab is a land of five rivers, and its staple food is wheat, rice, and maize. The mainstay of the Punjab diet has always been roti, a flatbread made of wheat flour. It is usually served with dal (lentils), vegetables, pickles, yogurt, and butter or ghee (clarified butter).
Rice is also famous, especially in the winter, when served with saag (a spinach-like leafy vegetable) and Makki ki roti (flatbread made of maize flour).
The third staple food of Punjab is maize, which is used to make a variety of dishes, including khichdi (a rice and lentil dish), koftas (meatballs), and pakoras (vegetable fritters).
Punjab is also famous for its dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, ghee, and butter. These are used in many Punjabi dishes, such as Kheer (a rice pudding), Lassi (a yogurt-based drink), and Paneer (a type of cottage cheese).
Punjabis have always been fond of meat, and the cuisine features a variety of meat dishes, including chicken, lamb, and beef. However, the most popular meat dish is probably Chicken Karahi, which is chicken cooked in a tomato-based sauce and served with rice or naan (a flatbread).
A typical Punjabi meal includes meat, rice, saag, pickle, roti, and Lassi!
Popular Punjabi Food Dishes
Regarding cooking styles, Punjabi cuisine can be divided into two main categories: vegetarian and non-vegetarian. The most popular vegetarian dishes include:
- Chana masala (chickpeas in a spice-based sauce).
- Aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower).
- Paneer (a type of cheese).
As mentioned, Punjabis are fond of meat, and some of the most popular non-vegetarian dishes include Chicken Karahi, Mutton Curry, and Beef Kofta (beef meatballs).
Let’s take a look at famous Punjabi food dishes!
1. Makki Di Roti and Sarson Da Saag
Makki di roti is a flatbread made from cornmeal, and Sarson da saag is a dish made from mustard greens. These two dishes are often served together, creating a delicious and hearty meal. The saag is topped with desi ghee or butter to add more flavor!
2. Chicken Karahi
Chicken karahi is a popular Punjabi dish, and it is made by cooking chicken in a wok-like dish called a karahi. The chicken is cooked with spices, tomatoes, and green chilies to give it its characteristic flavor. Mostly it’s served with garlic naan or roti with yogurt chutney and salads.
3. Mutton Curry
Mutton curry is another popular Punjabi dish, and it is made by cooking mutton (goat meat or lamb meat) in a curry sauce. Punjabis cook it on special occasions or when guests have over and serve it with roti.
4. Paye
Paye is a traditional food of Punjab, a Pakistani breakfast dish, and it is made by cooking beef or mutton trotters in a curry sauce. Paye is usually served with naan, roti or paratha, and yogurt.
5. Halwa Poori
Halwa poori is a traditional Punjabi breakfast dish, and it is made by cooking a type of semolina pudding called halwa and serving it with fried bread called poori. Poori is usually served with potato curry, and the entire meal is filling and satisfying. No holiday is complete for Punjabis without Halwa Poori!
6. Shami Kebab
Shami kebab is a type of meat patty popular in Pakistan and India. It is made with ground meat (usually lamb or beef), spices, and chickpeas, and it is fried until it is crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. Shami kebabs are often served as appetizers or snacks but can also be done as a main meal.
7. Chicken Tikka
Chicken tikka is a type of chicken dish from the Punjab region of India. It is made by marinating chicken pieces in a mixture of yogurt and spices and then cooking them in a tandoor (a clay oven) or over a woodfire. Chicken tikka is the main component of any Barbecue party and wedding.
8. Gajar Ka Halwa
Gajar ka halwa is made from carrots, milk, sugar, and ghee (clarified butter). It is a popular dish in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan and is often served during festivals and celebrations.
9. Aloo Ka Paratha
Aloo ka paratha is a flatbread made from wheat flour, potato, and ghee. It is a popular breakfast dish in Punjab, and you’d see it on every occasion, whether at a family gathering or a party.
10. Lassi
Lassi is a type of yogurt-based drink that is popular in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. It is made by blending yogurt, water, and salt. Lassi can be sweet or savory and is often served with meals.
No matter what type of dish you’re eating, it’s always served with roti, naan, or rice. Yogurt-based sauces are also typical, and help tone down the dishes’ spiciness.
Best Food Industries in Punjab Pakistan
The Punjab province of Pakistan is home to some of the best food industries in the country. These industries produce various food products, including processed meats, dairy products, and confectionery.
Some of the most well-known brands in Pakistan come from the Punjab province, such as Dalda Foods.
1. Qarshi Industries
Qarshi Industries is another well-known food company from Punjab, Pakistan. It produces a variety of herbal products, including juices and jams. In addition, it manufactures almost 200 natural health food products made from pure herbs and plants. The products are manufactured by keeping high standards of quality on the scale.
2. Haleeb Foods
Another notable food industry in Punjab is Haleeb Foods, one of Pakistan’s largest dairy companies. It’s also one of the pioneers of the dairy industry in Pakistan. It has a goal to produce healthy products that give more nutrition.
3. Fauji Fresh N Freeze Limited
Fauji Fresh N Freeze Limited is a food company known for its hygienic and frozen products. The company has a wide range of frozen fruits, vegetables, and chicken products.
4. Mitchells Fruit Farm Limited
Mitchells Fruit Farm Limited is a leading name in Pakistan’s fruit processing and marketing field. The company was established in 1933, and since then, it has provided quality products to its customers.
5. Bunny’s Limited
Yet another big name from Punjab in the food business is Bunny’s Limited. It is one of the leading confectionery manufacturers in Pakistan. The company produces various biscuits, milky bread, and plain bread.
These are just some of the most notable names in the food industry of Punjab, Pakistan. Other smaller businesses and private companies also contribute to the state’s economy. The food industry of Punjab plays a significant role in the overall economy of Pakistan.
Top Punjabi Restaurants in Pakistan
Punjab is a food hub; no other province can have better restaurants than Punjab. So you’ll get to eat the most palatable food when you’re in Punjab, Pakistan.
Let’s explore some Punjabi restaurants in Pakistan for you, so you can choose when you’re out to eat!
1. Butt Karahi Tikka
The famous Butt Karahi Tikka, also called the King of Karahi, is a must-have in Lahore, Punjab. The taste of this restaurant is evident from its name, the King of Karahi. In addition to chicken Karahi has other specialties, such as Mutton Karahi, Barbecue, Palak Paneer, and Chicken Makhni Handi.
2. Haveli Restaurant
It’s better to take advantage of the aroma of freshly cooked Punjabi food with beautiful lighting and the essence of the walled city of Lahore. Haveli Restaurant, located in the historical Haveli Khalil Khan, is an architectural landmark in Lahore food street.
3. Bundu Khan
Bundu Khan restaurant is a trendy name for the best restaurants in Lahore. It is a chain restaurant with branches in Lahore, Multan, and Gujranwala. It’s known for its food quality and quantity at very reasonable rates. The famous dishes of Bundu Khan are Chicken Tikka, Chicken Sajji, Seekh Kabab, Chicken Karahi, Nihari, and Mutton Pulao.
4. The Monal Restaurant
The Monal is a very famous restaurant in Lahore and Islamabad. It is one of the best places to have Pakistani and Continental food. The view from the top is stunning, especially at night. From desi Punjabi cuisine to ethnic cuisine, you’ll find everything here. The famous dishes of Monal are Chicken Tikka, Malai Boti, Nihari, and, Biryani.
Economic Importance of Punjabi Food
Punjabi cuisine is not only famous in Pakistan but all over the world. Many restaurants serve Punjabi food, and people from all over come to enjoy it. That has led to an increase in tourism in Punjab and has also boosted the economy of the province.
Punjab is known for its agriculture, and Punjabi food is made from fresh and local ingredients. That led to increased demand for Punjabi food, which has increased the prices of these products. That has helped the farmers of Punjab earn more money and create new jobs in the food industry.
Punjabi restaurants in many countries are increasing the popularity of Punjabi food daily, which is helping to bring in more revenue to the country.
Punjabi food is not only delicious but also healthy. That is because it is made from fresh and natural ingredients. In addition, the use of spices in Punjabi cuisine is minimal, making the food more digestible.
Punjab is a land of diversity, which is reflected in its cuisine. Many different types of Punjabi food are available, each with its unique flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which crops are cultivated in Punjab, Pakistan?
Punjab is a central agricultural province of Pakistan and grows various crops. The most common crops cultivated in Punjab are wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton, and maize. Punjab is also the largest producer of milk and dairy products in Pakistan.
What is unique about Punjab Food?
Well, the most notable thing about Punjab food is it’s delicious! Using spices and herbs in Punjabi cuisine gives the dishes a unique flavor that people worldwide love. Another noteworthy thing about Punjabi food is that it is very healthy. The simple cooking methods and the fresh ingredients make Punjabi food a very healthy option.
What is the best Punjabi dish?
There are so many delicious Punjabi dishes that it is hard to choose just one! Some of our favorites include Saag (a spinach-based word), Kadhi (a yogurt-based dish), Murgh Makhani (butter chicken), and Aloo Gobi (a potato and cauliflower dish). Whatever your favorite food is, you will find a delicious Punjabi dish you will love!
Punjabi is the most delicious and healthy food you will ever eat! The simple cooking methods and fresh ingredients make Punjabi food an excellent choice for a healthy, delicious meal. So what are you waiting for? Go out and try some Punjabi food today!