Malvani Cuisine, Maharashtra

The region of Malvan in the district of Sindhudurg in the state of Maharashtra is very famous for its cuisine which is popularly called Malvani food. 

Since the region of Malvan is situated close to the Arabian Sea the diet of the people of this region consists predominantly of seafood like fishes, crabs and prawns. Apart from sea food they also consume chicken and mutton in their non vegetarian fare. Malvani cuisine leans more towards non-vegetarian dishes, due to the easy availability and variety, there are still many vegetarian recipes to choose from. The taste of Malvani food is said to be very unique and different from other regions of Maharashtra although it does incorporate ingredients from the neighbouring regions and Goan cuisine. Since Malvan is situated on the Konkan coastal region the natives use coconut abundantly in their diet.The other two main ingredients are Kokum and Raw Mango. 

Malvani food is quite hot and spicy due to the addition of Malvani masala which is a combination of  about 15 to 16 dry spices. These spices are dry roasted and then ground to a powder which is added in almost all the recipes. 

Coconut is either used in the fresh grated form, dry grated, fried or as a paste. Coconut milk is added to the gravy based dishes and is also used to make a very popular Malvani drink, Sol Kadhi that has a very cooling effect and is always served along with the spicy non vegetarian fare. 

A few desserts are served in combination with coconut milk as the base and made by sweetening with jaggery. 

The Malvani masala powder is made using dried Red Chillies, Coriander seeds, Peppercorns, Cumin seeds among other spices that grow abundantly in the region. 

Ginger and Garlic paste, fresh or dried Kokum play an important role in enhancing the taste of the food. 

Here is a list of some of the most popular iitems of this cuisine.

1. Malvani Chicken Masala 

2. Malvani Mutton Curry 

3. Kombdi Vade ( कोंबडी वडे ) - Chicken masala curry served with multi grain puris that are called Vade 

4. Bombil Fry - One of the most popular fish fry in the city of Mumbai 

5. Prawn Curry 

6. Kolambi Fry 

7. Kajuchi Usal - Cashew Nut curry

8. fansachi bhaji  ( फणसाची भाजी ) - Jackfruit cooked in grated coconut and various spices 

9. Kavda Curry ( कवडयांचा मटण ) - A bird found in the Konkan region 

10.  Paplet Saar - Pomfret Fish Curry

11.  Bangada Fry 

12.  Mori masala / Shark Curry 

13. Ghavne ( घावणे ) - Very unique netted dosa like pancakes made from rice flour 

    
    
    

14. Dhondas - Cucumber cakes made with ripe cucumbers, rice flour, grated coconut and jaggery

15. Amboli - Thick pancakes similar to uttapams 

    
    
    

16. Tandalachi Bhakri ( तांदळाची भाकरी ) - Bhakris made with rice flour, similar to Bajra / Jowar ones 

17. Shirvale ( शिवाळे ) - Steamed rice flour noodles served with sweetened coconut milk called Rus 

    
    
    

18. Ras Poli - Deep fried sweet pancakes served with Rus

19. Kalya Vatanyachi Samara ( काळया वटाळयाचे समारा )

20. Khaparodi ( खापरोळी ) - Fluffy sweet pancakes dipped in  yellow coloured sweet coconut milk 

21. Pomfret Fry

*Trivia

• The Malvani masala powder is made in huge quantities and stored in air tight containers and lasts for at least a year.

• Each family has its own version of the Malvani masala that may differ from others a little bit.

Images 

1. Amboli - cookwithrenu

2. Shirvale - secretindianrecipe.com 

3. Pomfret Fry - Rajbhushan Rane 

4. Ghavna and Nariyal Chutney - Rohit Wadhwani

Cuisines of Uttar Pradesh

 Divided into 65 cities, Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in India in terms of population. Home to over 204.7 million people, Uttar Pradesh is so diverse in terms of languages, attire, cultures, and food at best. It is also known as the “Heartland Of India” for its rich culture & traditions.Uttar Pradesh has something to tantalize your palate. Everything from chat, samosas, ras malai and kebabs are part of the cuisine. enormity and sheer diversity prevalent across the length and breadth of its vast territory.The main genre of Uttar Pradesh cuisine is Awadhi, and the cooking patterns of the state are similar to those of the rest of Northern India. The Awadhi cuisine of Uttar Pradesh bears similarities to those of Kashmir and Punjab.

1.Batti Chokha-Bati Chokha is one of the best dishes of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Batti is made from wheat dough and baked in a mud oven, and chokha consists of potatoes, tomatoes, and brinjal. It is served with green chutney, chaat masala, and desi ghee.

Image credit-brreakfastcare.com

2.Varanasi Ki Lassi-Varanasi Ki Lassi is the most popular Lassi all over India. It is served in Kulhads with some pistachio and cream. It is usually taken in summer to feel cool and fresh. 

3.Galouti Kebabs-This dish is a delectable minced meat kebab that is mixed with a variety of spices. The kebabs dissolve as soon as you place them inside your mouth and leave you craving more. The nawabs were known for feasting on Galawati or Galouti Kebabs which was a royal delicacy at the time.

4.Aloo Rasedaar-This is most liked breakfast choice of Uttar Pradesh people. As the name tells, the dish is the combination of crispy and spicy aloo sabzi with deep fried wheat chapattis.

5.Lucknow Biryani-nation-wide favourite, Lucknawi Biryani is prepared with cashew nut paste, saffron, curd, mace powder and star anise. Awadhi cuisine is incomplete without this star dish where the meat(mutton or chicken) is cooked on a slow fire. Biryani served at Baba’s in Swaroop Nagar is an all-time favourite of the locals.

6. Basket Chat-One of the famous foods of Uttar Pradesh, Basket Chat, is originally known for its unique serving style and making. It’s a heavenly platter for chat lovers loaded with sev, curd, coriander, and other items.

7.Banarasi Paan-Unlike other famous foods of Uttar Pradesh, Banarasi Paan is an exotic combination of areca nuts, gulkand, kattha, and many other ingredients wrapped in a fresh betel leaf.Ingredients contain gulkand, cherry, tutti fruity, and some flavored substances. Paan is of many types like chocolate paan, dry ice paan, Meetha paan, etc. The best time to eat Banarsi Paan is after a meal as it acts as a mouth sweetener.

8.Shahi Tukda-ShahiTukda is a famous sweet dish of the Oudh region. Shahi Tukda is a type of bread pudding made up of bread, milk, saffron, cashew, green cardamom, and sugar. It is a very delicious dish to eat.

Image credits-Google