Mahani To Madra: Delectable Himachali Curries That Will Make You Drool
Image Credit: Be it a meaty Chha gosht or a protein-rich madra, the Himachali fare are several curries to savour.

The pristine beauty of the snow-covered mountains and lush green locales surrounding it make Himachal Pradesh a heavenly abode. Most of India’s hill stations reside in Himachal and Uttarakhand. The cool weather, scenic views and rustic fare attract thousands of tourists every year to these regions. The emphasis in these cultures is generally on locally-produced food like vegetables, dairy, grains etc. Their dependency on nature and its resources for life sustenance brings them closer to the Earth. The food palate also reflects the same. 

Did you know that Himachali cuisine packs in a celebratory feast called dham? This is an elaborate affair wherein a range of dishes are prepared and served on a huge platter for special occasions. The cuisine of the hills offers a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies. With minimum ingredients and simple cooking techniques, the fare never compromises on taste and flavour. If you wish to indulge in the authentic pahadi flavours today, then here are some classic Himachali curries that can be prepped for lunch. 

Try these recipes and let us know which one do you like the most? 

1.  Chha Gosht 

To keep themselves warm and energized to face the harsh climate, meaty curries are a part of Himachali cuisine. For the unversed, this is a traditional mutton curry in the hills that is prepared with a thick gravy made of gram flour and curd. The tender mutton is spruced up with a tangy flavour of aamchoor powder to give it the khatta taste. You can eat it with rice or ghyoor (flatbread). 

2.  Madra 

Yet another classic delicacy that is quintessential to the Himachali fare is the madra. This delectable curry is generally made with rajma or kidney beans. However, due to the lack of availability of rajma, chana or chickpeas are used instead at times. Mixed with a curd-based gravy, this dish tastes amazing. 

3.  Mahani 

This khatti-meethi curry has the goodness of black chickpeas in it. The tart and tangy flavours of the curry really tempt you. It doesn’t involve the use of any garlic or onions and yet tastes delicious. Hailing from the Kangra region, this dish is a usual suspect at pahadi weddings. 

4.  Pahadi Murg 

This is a simple and robust chicken curry from the hills. With a greenish-mustard hue, the succulent pieces of chicken are mixed with thick gravy and tossed in whole spices. The strong aroma and dominant flavour of these regional spices is the game-changer.