Role Of Spices In Punjabi Food!

Role Of Spices In Punjabi Food!

It’s stating the obvious when one says that a Punjabi dish is incomplete without spices. In Punjabi Food, spices are used to hoist the tang and flavors of Punjabi delicacies. Cardamoms, cinnamon, garam masala, cilantro mint and many more are exceedingly used for preparing a finger licking dish. Several delicious Punjabi recipes are extensively imparted with the blend of these spices. In a Punjabi dish, these spices are not just ingredients but the creator of charm, flavor and aroma.

These spices have been playing an essential role for escalating the economic conditions since the very old time period. In today’s time of renovation and technical advancements, though the spice trade has changed in a variety of ways but the role and importance is still the same.

The worth and requirement of these spices does not limit only to Punjab; There is a huge demand of these spices in other parts of the country and globe as well. These are exported to the various locations of the world.

Some of the popular Punjabi cuisine like Shahi Paneer, shahi pulao, and chicken korma are improved with these spices. Some of the dishes are flavored with the seeds and some are with the paste of handful spices.

Ginger, cloves, Garlic, arrowroot, musk mallow, mango powder, stone leek, onion powder, black pepper, asafetida, turmeric are tremendously used to improve the tang and flavors of Punjabi food.

All in all, Punjabi spices play an important role in any customs and treated as a base of Punjabi cooking.

Read More...

Why should You Be a Vegetarian?

Why should You Be a Vegetarian?

There are several reasons for people to become vegetarian. While some people are drawn to vegetarianism because they want to live a long and healthier life, others choose vegetarianism for the love of animals! There are several other reasons and advantages of being vegetarian. Here, are some of the reasons that can motivate you to towards vegetarianism.

You may keep your weight down: Almost every non-vegetarian food is high in saturated fats that kill slowly. Most of the people these days get killed due to obesity, strokes and cancer diseases, which are linked to non-vegetarian based diets. These are often caused by the build-up of cholesterol and saturated fat from meats in our blood vessels. Adopting plants food can make a big difference.

For Animals: There are several animals which are treated as the source of meat, milk and egg. There is a documentary video viral on social media, which shows cruelty on animals. It’s very painful to see how the animals are treated It’s terrible how they're agonized and murdered just for food. In order to prevent this cruelty, it is essential to adopt vegetarianism.

To Live Longer: If you switch from non-vegetarian to vegetarian, you can add more than 10 healthy years to your life. Isn’t it amazing! People, who consume meat, have a shorter life and more disability at the end of their lives. The non-veg food slows down your immune system, which leads to several disabilities.

Your Dining Plate Will Be Full Of Colors: Eating a colorful dish ensures you that you are eating a variety of naturally occurring substances that can help you to boost immunity and prevent a range of illnesses. These colorful dishes have various types of nutrients in them. So instead of asking why go vegetarian, the question must be: Why haven’t you gone vegetarian?

Read More...

Punjabi Tadka in Delhi

Punjabi Tadka in Delhi

When you say the word “Punjabi”, two things come to mind: the dance and the food. Bhangra and Butter Naan. Like they say in the movie Jab We Met, “Asi tah Punjabi hain, humein toh [naachne ka] bahanna chahiye.” [We are Punjabis. We only need an excuse to dance].

Punjabi culture is vibrant, celebratory, and warm. It is the kind of culture if truly adapted will never let you feel lonely. Be it the colourful weddings, Mika songs blaring from cars, butter naan on every occasion, well-dressed happy people all around – the Punjabified city will leave you overwhelmed. If you have been invited to a Punjabi wedding, jump with joy. [And probably practise a few dance steps because someone is bound to pull you to the dance floor, and fast for the entire day so that you can gorge heartily in the evening].

Punjabis are fun, open-hearted, and without regrets. So is their food. If you are visiting India for the first time, and have a bucket list of things to do here, the Taj Mahal should be number one and Punjabi food second. Dal Makhani, paneer tikka, sarson da saag makki ki roti, aloo ke parathe – the food is iconic. It is full of life, butter, ghee, and love.

And when it comes to Punjabis and their food, no other place does it with more panache and style than Delhi (of course, after Punjab itself). The city thrives with Punjabis. Delhi is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, but Punjabi remains its dominant flavor. Even other cuisines have been adapted to suit the North Indian tongue. Do you know Paneer Dosa is a Punjabi version of a dosa and is not native to south India?

Another must-try delicacy is the halwa they serve as kada prasad at Gurudwaras. Dipping in pure ghee, and served piping hot, it is sure to transport one to heavenly levels, if the praying didn’t. The Sikhs believe in selfless service to community, something evident in the langars at Gurudwaras where everyone willingly offers to help. Sitting on the floor, eating with a hundred people, in the house of god, it is the heartiest meal one can have.

Punjabis are famed for their warm hospitality and generous nature, something one will find in most of their restaurants. If you want to get a taste of the real Punjab, go to Punjab. But if you can’t, go to a Punjabi themed restaurant.

Like Punjabi dishes there is no end to the number of Punjabi restaurants in Delhi. I wouldn’t be exaggerating when I say that life in Delhi would have been much bland and boring had it not been for Punjabi food and culture.

About Author: 

Nishi Jain is a travel writer at WeAreHolidays. She spent five years studying English literature, another two years editing novels and writing newspaper articles, after which she realized that pop music and paneer tikka is the best thing man invented.

Read More...

Make an attractive meal with Artistic Garnishing!

Make an attractive meal with Artistic Garnishing!

Many of us underestimate the power of a garnish. Garnishing makes two strong things possible i.e. to make the dish much more tempting or palatable, and to add a spark to what can otherwise be a boring dinner.
  
Can you ever imagine pasta with white sauce with no cheese; no pepper, no lemon, nor mint leaves… just a pure white dish! Wouldn’t it be boring?

There is a plethora of food decoration ideas out there. All you need to do is choose one and execute it to accomplish an embellished dish or dessert.

Following are some pointers to consider for garnishing:

- Don’t use small or inedible ingredients for Garnishes: 
The only purpose of garnishing is to provide an aesthetic appeal to the dish. But that aesthetic look must contain noticeable ingredients which must be both attractive and edible.

- Always display your Garnish: 
Garnishing is all about enhancing the artistic appeal of the delicacy. If the Garnish gives savor (taste), that’s sheerly a bonus!

- Don’t overdo one color: 
Okay, green is always regarded as a pleasant color, but in case you have a green salad then there’s no point to add a green ingredient in the garnishing. Instead use pinch of Parmesan cheese, few olives and a tomato to crown it all off. - Garnishes must complement the dish: Ingredients used in garnishing the dishes must be complementing rather than dominating. If you’re preparing chicken, then there is no point to cover it up with leaves to give it a look of salad.

 - Avoid Pungent-smelling ingredients for garnishing: 
A Garnish that smells so strong can result in to a bad garnish. For example: Onions. - Have fun with the dish: Garnishing is the art of shaping up your food’s personality. Delicious food that is served appealingly in perfect portions will be more promptly accepted and eaten.

There are many eating joints present in India and abroad known for their garnishing skills. One such place is The Haveli that gives an experiential of the rich culture of Punjab through sumptuous, mouth watering and eye pleasing dishes.

Read More...

Punjab… A Realm for FOODIES!

Punjab… A Realm for FOODIES!

The fifteenth largest state in India, Punjab relishes one of the oldest and heritage cultures in world. Punjabis are commonly known for their hard core sacrifices, passionate love stories, interesting music or poetry, amusing folk dance, hilarious humor, rich tradition or values.

Sumptuously delicious FOOD constitutes another fascinating thing associated with rich realm of Punjab. Tourists from all over the globe visits Punjab to witness the enriched preserved culture and to taste mouth-watering cuisines.

If at all you are a foodie, this place is all you need to visit! The variety of appetizing dishes will surely make you fall in love with the place. From staple Punjabi food Sarson ka Saag to chhole Bhature, lachcha paranthas, Dal Makhani, Paneer Tikka, lassi; state offers you all such finger licking and lip smacking cuisines. And to top it all there is shudh desi ghee and cream served along to tickle your taste buds!

It is said that food becomes even more tempting when best served with cool ambience. North Indian Restaurants or dhabas are cognized in presenting Punjabi delicacies with a hint of its rich culture! There is diversity of food joints spread across Punjab and one such exquisite place is Haveli Heritage.

A unique theme resort takes you down the memory lane and connects you with rich cultural Punjabi roots. Traditional Punjabi Restaurant serves vegetarian Punjabi food in the most impressive and regal way. When you are in Punjab you are recommended to visit this place to experience the real essence of Punjabi culture.

Read More...

Go Vegetarian!

 Go Vegetarian!

Gone are the days when you found people only in India following a vegetarian diet due to religious reasons. Vegetarianism is now a growing trend amongst people of all nationalities across the globe. With the increasing number of NGO's propagating Vegetarianism it’s not a surprise to know that today 3% of American adults –over 7 million people- are vegetarian. The reasons for people to avoid meat are varied. The first one that comes to one's mind is 'for the compassion of animals'. Thanks to PETA's earnest efforts to promote compassion towards animals, everyone today will surely have some idea on the cruel treatment of farm animals. Sentient, intelligent animals are often kept in cramped and filthy conditions where they cannot move around or perform their natural behaviors. Choosing a Vegetarian diet is a demonstration of compassion towards these animals.

Going vegetarian is also beneficial to the environment. An individual having a plant-based diet has a reduced eco-footprint which implies that he generates lesser carbon dioxide than a person who eats non-vegetarian. The Livestock industry is responsible for more gas emissions than the transport sector.

Besides farming animals and growing their feeds contributes to growing environmental problems like famine, deforestation & water pollution.

Another major reason for opting for a vegetarian diet is health! You will be prone to fewer diseases, since 70% of the diseases are related to diet and avoiding meat will help avoiding these diseases. You will have stronger bones and you will live a longer life. What more, you will also keep your weight down.

With all these reasons the question to be asked is not why switch but why not? It’s not that you’ll be deprived of anything, especially not delicious & sumptuous food. If you have any doubts you can visit HAVELI and try our exquisite vegetarian cuisine that will surely tantalize your taste-buds. Haveli offers a variety of food delicacies that will more than satisfy your Foodie-junkie needs!

Read More...