The festival of Baishaki celebrates the onset of spring, it is also called the harvest festival. It bestows its name as the harvest festival as it commemorates the rabi season. Golden stalks of rabi or wheat crops are seen swinging with the wind. The harvest is given respect and thanks for growing safely which will suffice the hunger. It usually signifies the end of the harvest and the beginning of a new harvest season. For the Sikh community, it is a significant day that for them is not only a harvest festival but also a religious one.
The festival is followed by many traditions and feasts. When we talk about feasts, how can one not be reminded of the delicious Punjabi dishes? Punjabi love to feast on their traditional dishes and no festival is complete without them. So, if you are looking for some traditional recipes to celebrate Baishaki then your search has found its destination. We have curated a list of fine Punjabi delicacies for you, so without further ado let’s get started.
This is one of the most popular Punjabi dishes that go well together with Makkhai ki Roti or Makkhai Parathas. This is a traditional dish that is ideal for winter as well as the traditional dish for Baisakhi. The preparation of this beautiful gift is very minimal and it is very easy to make.
- Take a large pan or Kadai and add all the washed and dried Sarson leaves, amaranth leaves, and chickpea leaves, mix well, add water, and let it cook in tender steam.
- For the next step add a turnip to the tender steaming leaves and mix well. Add ginger slice, and garlic cloves and let it cook on medium flame till it leaves its juice and turns soft.
- Add white butter, and green chili and saute well. Add red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt to taste and mix well. Cover it with a lid and cook for 1 more hour.
- Once the steam subsides, open the lid and churn the mixture using a churner to a semi-smooth consistency.
- For the next step in a pan, add some pure ghee, dry red chili, and garlic and saute well. Add cumin seeds and let it splutter.
- Add the prepared saag mixture into the kadai onto the pan and mix well. In the end, add white butter and mix well.
Your Sarso ka Saag is ready to serve, serve it with makhai ki roti and your delicious platter is ready.
Punjabis are famous for their distinct parathas like Gobi Paratha, aloo Paratha, Makkai ki roti, etc. Parathas mean flat bread and Aloo Paratha means potato stuffed flatbread. Aloo paratha is one of the wonderful dishes that you can make easily. It is easy to make and it is quite tasty as well. It is well served with dahi, raita, or tomato ketchup. One can also opt for some chutneys as well, it completely depends upon the taste of an individual.
- For the first step, you have to boil the potatoes in a pan after adding an adequate amount of water and a little bit of salt to taste.
- While the potatoes are boiling you can prepare the dough for the flatbread. Take 1 cup of Wheat flour in a bowl and add ½ cup of water and knead the dough. After you are done kneading the dough, make small medium-sized balls and set them aside.
- For the next step, you have to make the potato stuffing to stuff in those small balls. Take the potatoes and mash them using a fork. Now add the onions, chopped coriander leaves, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt. Mix it well and ensure you have chopped the onions well and there are no lumps of potatoes.
- Now take a rolling pin and flat the small circled balls and the filling. Add a spoonful of the potato filling and close the opening of the flatbread making it a circle again. Use the rolling pin again and flatten the potato stuffed ball into the shape of a flatbread.
- The final step is to fry the parathas. Take a flat pan and add ghee to it. Fry the parathas until golden brown don't forget to turn it over and cook the other side.
Your aloo paratha is ready. You can serve it hot with some curd or Raita.
A very refreshing and creamy drink of Punjabis is Lassi. Even though this is a Punjabi traditional drink it is something that is enjoyed by all and made by almost every household in the summer. As the base of this drink is yogurt it is really appetizing and healthy. The best part is that it can be made with minimal ingredients and in just a few minutes.
- Add homemade yogurt, chilled milk (or water), sugar, ground cardamom, and ice cubes in a blender.
- Blend the mixture until it becomes smooth and frothy. Adjust the consistency, according to your preference, by adding more milk (or water) or blending in some ice cubes.
- For the final step add the lassi into a glass and top it off with crushed nuts or dry fruits to your preference.
Your refreshing lassi is ready to drink. You can add flavors to your lassi like chocolate, strawberry, or some essence like rose water or cardamom. This remains your choice and you can create it according to your taste.
These dishes are the best way to celebrate your Baisakhi in a traditional way. Use these incredible and unique recipes to make this coming to Baisakhi an even more memorable event and don’t forget to send your warm wishes to your loved ones across India.
