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Take a stroll along the lanes of the holy city and you’ll be surprised to see a plethora of fried dishes being prepared at the crack of dawn. The aroma of freshly-made pooris and kulchas is quite irresistible, and one tends to be drawn towards these street shops quite instantly. Right after taking blessings at the Harminder Sahib in the early hours of the day, locals head to the nearby food stalls to grab a bite of these tasty treats.
By mid-morning, the preparation for lunch has already begun, and so it is best to head out well within time to avoid missing out on the yummy breakfast that Amritsar has to offer. However, if you’re not planning to travel any time soon yet crave the desi flavours, you can always relish them in the comfort of your home. Here are a few breakfast staples of Amritsar that you can make at home.
1. Aloo Kulcha
Any conversation about Amritsar is incomplete without a mention of its famous kulchas. Rightly known as the ‘land of kulchas’, the city offers a variety of these breads that come with a variety of stuffing. This one is the classic Aloo Kulcha, where the dough is stuffed with a spicy mashed potato filling and cooked in a tandoor to give it a smoky flavour. Paired with a glass of creamy lassi, the kulcha is topped with oodles of ghee and butter.
2. Bun Chole
A lesser-known breakfast item and street food fare of the city is Bun Chole. Not to be confused with a desi burger, this one is prepared with lots of spices and chutneys. The soft and flat buns are tossed on a pan and stuffed with a masaledar chole filling, prepared with spices and imli chutney. The chole is then topped with chopped onions and served hot.
3. Poori-Chana-Launji
This trio is by far, the best combination that one can have for breakfast. The goodness of three, packed together in one meal is a treat to the taste buds. Poori, for the unversed, is a deep-fried puffed bread that is made with whole wheat dough. It is paired with two kinds of gravies, one is chana (a spicy chickpea curry) and the other is launji (diced potatoes dunked in a sweet and sour curry).
4. Bheega Kulcha
An interesting take on the kulcha preparations of Amritsar, Bheega Kulcha gets its name from the technique with which it is made. The tandoori bread is soaked in a chickpea curry, until it absorbs all of it. This flavourful kulcha is then topped with more chickpea curry, along with onions, green chutney and chaat masala. This crunchy, moist and tangy breakfast dish is a must-try in the city.
5. Nutri Kulcha
Not inside but outside the kulcha, the crispy Amritsari bread is served with a side of nutri chunks gravy. The chunks are cooked with onions and tomatoes, along with a host of spices. The kulcha is dunked in a clay oven, to get a smoky taste and the two are served together with sliced onions and some pickle on the side.
