What is Bihari Cuisine

What is Bihari Cuisine

Bihari Cuisine is the traditional food of the state of Bihar in India, characterized by its use of simple, rustic ingredients and a diverse range of flavors. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region’s rich agricultural heritage and its history of trade and migration.

Key Characteristics of Bihari Cuisine

Bihari cuisine is known for its simple, rustic flavors and its use of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. It is characterized by its use of a diverse range of spices and herbs, as well as a variety of cooking techniques such as roasting, grilling, and slow cooking.

One of the key characteristics of Bihari cuisine is its heavy use of lentils and pulses, which are a staple food in the region. These are often used to make dishes such as dal, sattu, and chokha, which are a staple part of the Bihari diet.

Bihari cuisine is also known for its use of local vegetables, such as eggplant, bitter gourd, and okra, which are often used in dishes such as baingan ka bharta, karela, and bhindi.

Key Flavours and Ingredients of Bihari Cuisine

Bihari cuisine is characterized by its use of a diverse range of spices and herbs, such as cumin, coriander, mustard, and fennel seeds. It also makes heavy use of ginger and garlic, which are used to add depth and flavor to dishes.

Other key ingredients in Bihari cuisine include sattu, a powder made from roasted and ground chana dal, which is used as a thickener and flavoring agent in dishes such as Litti Chokha, and chokha, a dish made from mashed potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants, which is often served as a side dish.

18 Key Bihari Dishes

Litti Chokha

A traditional Bihari dish made from whole wheat dough balls filled with sattu and spices, it is often served with chokha, a dish made from mashed potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants.

Litti Chokha Recipe

Litti Chokha is a combination of two elements - the litti and the chokha. The litti is a dough ball made of whole wheat flour and stuffed with a mixture of spices, ghee, and roasted gram flour. The dough balls are then roasted over hot coals, or baked in an oven, until they are crispy and golden brown on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. The chokha, on the other hand, is a spicy and tangy mixture of mashed vegetables, such as eggplant and tomato, seasoned with spices and herbs. The litti and the chokha are usually served together, with the litti being dipped in ghee, and the chokha being spread over the top, for a truly scrumptious experience.

Go to recipe

Sattu Parantha

Sattu Parantha is a traditional Indian flatbread that is made using a dough made of roasted chana dal flour (sattu) and wheat flour. The dough is rolled out and cooked on a griddle until golden brown, resulting in a crispy and flavorful flatbread. It is usually served hot and is often accompanied by yogurt or pickles. A popular Bihari breakfast dish made from whole wheat dough filled with sattu, spices, and herbs.

Sattu Paratha Recipe

Sattu Paratha is a traditional Indian flatbread that is popular in the state of Bihar and other parts of northern India. The dough is made with a combination of roasted chana dal flour (sattu) and wheat flour, and it is typically served as a breakfast or lunch dish, often accompanied by yogurt or pickles.

Sattu Paratha is a traditional Indian flatbread that is made using a dough made of roasted chana dal flour (sattu) and wheat flour. The dough is rolled out and cooked on a griddle until golden brown, resulting in a crispy and flavorful flatbread. It is usually served hot and is often accompanied by yogurt or pickles.

Go to recipe

Thekua

A traditional Bihari sweet made from whole wheat flour, jaggery and ghee, it is often consumed during festivals and religious occasions.

Thekua Recipe

Thekua, also known as "Khajuria" or "Khajuri," is a traditional Indian sweet treat that is commonly made during festivals and religious occasions in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh in India. Thekua is made from whole wheat flour, ghee, and jaggery, and is typically shaped into small, flat rounds before being deep-fried. The end result is a sweet and savory cookie-like treat that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Thekua is often considered a delicacy and is a popular snack in the region.

Go to recipe

Sattu Sharbat

Sattu Sharbat is a traditional Indian cold beverage that is made using roasted chana dal flour (sattu), which is mixed with water, sugar, and a variety of spices to create a refreshing and flavorful drink. It is a popular street drink in the summer season, and it is known for its cooling properties and high nutritional value.

Sattu Sharbat | Sattu Drink Recipe

Sattu Drink is a traditional Indian beverage made from sattu flour, water, spices, and sometimes sugar. It is a popular drink in the northern and eastern regions of India, especially during the hot summer months. Sattu is a type of flour made from roasted chickpeas or Bengal gram, and it has been used in Indian cuisine for centuries. The Sattu Drink is made by mixing sattu with water, spices, and sometimes sugar to create a refreshing and nutritious beverage.

Go to recipe

Tilkut

Tilkut is a traditional Indian sweet dish that is made using sesame seeds, which are ground into a paste and mixed with jaggery and wheat flour. The mixture is then shaped into small rounds and deep-fried until golden brown. The result is a deliciously sweet and crispy treat that is perfect for satisfying sweet cravings.

Tilkut Recipe

Tilkut is a traditional Indian sweet originating from the state of Bihar. It is made from sesame seeds, jaggery, and a few spices. The sesame seeds are roasted to bring out their nutty flavor and then mixed with jaggery to form a dough. This dough is then shaped into round or diamond-shaped pieces and fried till they are crispy and golden brown. The finished product is a crunchy, sweet, and nutty snack that is loved by people of all ages.

Go to recipe

Khaja

A traditional Bihari sweet made from all-purpose flour, sugar, and ghee, it is often consumed during festivals and religious occasions.

Khaja Recipe

Khaja is a traditional Indian sweet delicacy, originating from the eastern state of Odisha. It is a crispy, layered pastry made from maida flour (refined wheat flour) and is deep-fried until golden brown. The layers of the pastry are then soaked in sugar syrup, giving it a sweet and syrupy taste. Khaja is a popular sweet during the festivals and is often served as prasad (offering to God) in temples.

Go to recipe

Malpua or Pua

A popular Bihari sweet made from all-purpose flour, milk, and sugar, it is often served as a dessert or as a snack.

Laai

Laai is a traditional Indian sweet dish that is made using cereal, typically flattened rice (poha), which is lightly fried in ghee and then coated with a thick syrup made of jaggery. The syrup is poured over the cereal while it is still hot, allowing it to be shaped into small balls. The result is a deliciously sweet and sticky treat that is perfect for satisfying sweet cravings

Gur Anarsa

Gur Anarsa is a traditional Indian sweet dish that is made using flattened rice, also known as poha. The flattened rice is mixed with jaggery, which is a type of unrefined cane sugar, and sesame seeds, which give the dish a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture. The mixture is then shaped into small rounds and deep-fried until golden brown. The result is a deliciously sweet and crispy treat that is perfect for satisfying sweet cravings.

Balushahi

Balushahi, also known as badushah or balushahi, is a traditional Indian sweet that originates from the northern regions of the country. This deep-fried delicacy is made from a dough of flour, ghee, and yogurt, and is typically served during festivals and special occasions.

Dal Puri

A popular Bihari dish made from whole wheat dough filled with a mixture of lentils, spices, and herbs.

Chana Ghugni

A popular Bihari dish made from boiled and spiced chickpeas, it is often served as a side dish or snack.

Dhuska

A traditional Bihari dish made from rice flour and chana dal, it is deep-fried and often served with chutney or curry.

Fish Curry

A popular Bihari dish made with fish, curry leaves, and a variety of spices, it is often served with rice.

Khurma

A traditional Bihari sweet made from whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, it is often consumed during festivals and religious occasions..

Chamcham

A popular Bihari sweet made from curd, sugar, and saffron, it is often consumed during festivals and religious occasions.

Pitha

A traditional Bihari sweet made from rice flour, jaggery, and ghee, it is often consumed during festivals and religious occasions.

Choora Bhuja

Choora Bhuja is a traditional snack from Bihar made using flattened rice (chura) that is mixed with an array of spices. The mixture is then shaped into small rounds and deep-fried until golden brown. The result is a crispy and flavorful snack that is perfect for satisfying hunger pangs.

FAQs

What is Bihari Cuisine?

Bihari cuisine is a regional cuisine native to the Indian state of Bihar. It is known for its unique blend of spices, flavors and cooking styles, which is a reflection of the rich cultural heritage of the region. Bihari cuisine is famous for its delicious and hearty vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes.

What makes Bihari cuisine unique?

Bihari cuisine is unique in its use of a variety of spices and herbs, which give the dishes a distinctive flavor. It also features the use of mustard oil as a cooking medium, which gives the dishes a distinct aroma and taste. Another defining characteristic of Bihari cuisine is the use of bhunao technique, which involves slow cooking of food to enhance its flavors and tenderness.

What are some popular Bihari dishes?

Some of the most popular Bihari dishes include litti chokha, sattu paratha, fish curry, meat curry, and vegetable curry. Bihari cuisine is also known for its sweets, such as the famous Tilkut and Khaja.

What is litti chokha?

Litti chokha is a traditional Bihari dish made with round, baked dough balls filled with a mixture of sattu and spices, and served with a spicy tomato and eggplant relish. It is a popular street food in Bihar and is considered as the staple food of the state.

What is sattu paratha?

Sattu paratha is a popular Bihari breakfast dish made from sattu, a roasted gram flour, mixed with spices and stuffed inside a wheat flour paratha. It is a nutritious and filling meal that is enjoyed by people in Bihar and surrounding regions.

What is the Bihari style of cooking fish and meat curry?

The Bihari style of cooking fish and meat curry is characterized by the use of a range of spices and herbs, slow cooking, and the use of mustard oil. The dishes are known for their rich and intense flavor, and are typically served with steamed rice or bread.

What is the Bihari style of cooking vegetables?

The Bihari style of cooking vegetables is characterized by the use of a blend of spices and herbs, slow cooking, and the use of mustard oil. The dishes are known for their rich and intense flavor, and are typically served with steamed rice or bread.

What are some popular sweets in Bihari cuisine?

Tilkut and Khaja are two of the most popular sweets in Bihari cuisine. Tilkut is a round, sweet, and crunchy treat made from til (sesame seeds) and jaggery, while Khaja is a flaky, sweet, and crispy pastry made from all-purpose flour, sugar, and ghee. Both of these sweets are widely enjoyed during festivals and special occasions in Bihar.

If you enjoyed the article – What is Bihari Cuisine – please give it a like and follow our Facebook page and our Instagram page.

You might also be interested in:

What is Chettinad Cuisine

What is Bengali Cuisine

What is Kerala Cuisine?

26 Dishes from Maharashtra We All Love

23 Best Indian Soups for Winter

10 Classic South Indian Food Combinations We All Love

Characteristics of Malabar Cuisine

———————————————————————————————————

Foodcazt (www.foodcazt.com) is a Food Magazine. We help you discover food. Benefit from our Recipes, Reviews, Food Guides & Articles. We uncover trends, especially for Indian and Asian Cuisines. Please follow us to learn more. Uncover recipes. Learn about trends. Unearth unique restaurants. Find what moves you. Discover what inspires others. We uncover trends, especially for Indian Cuisine and Asian Cuisine.

It would mean the world to us, if you follow, like or subscribe on: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.