Like many north Indian states, Uttar Pradesh food culture largely evolved from Mughal food traditions. From the rich Mughlai fare to the court cuisine of Awadh, the culinary narrative of UP reflects its diverse culture and traditions. Here are some must-try recipes of UP.
Mutton kofta
Kofta is basically mouth-watering meat or vegetable balls dunked in a spicy gravy. A hot favorite in the restaurants across the state, this spicy aromatic dish is served with roti and rice. You can also find beef, paneer and vegetable variants of this dish.
Kakori kabab
Kakori kabab is a juicy and tender Mughalai kabab variant made with minced mutton. Kakori kabab is marinated with raw papaya before being grilled using skewers, giving it a unique flavor. You will not fail to find this particular dish at every Awadhi food festival. Unlike other grilled dishes, kakori kababs are so tender that they would simply melt in your mouth.
Kachori
A close relative of the south Indian Poori, kachori is a spicy snack popular across northern states, especially UP. The flat breads made of flour are stuffed with moong dal or urad dal, along with spices. They are then deep fried in oil. Kachori has also made its way to the chaat menu in recent times, making it a favorite street food.
Bhindi ka salan
Bhindi salan translates to ladies finger curry. Thanks to Nawabi cuisine, UP gets this delicious side dish in which crunchy fried ladies fingers or okra are cooked in a sweet and sour gravy, giving it an appealing texture and aroma. The yogurt based gravy makes the curry thick, making it a perfect side dish with roti or parathas.
Gurahl sharbat
Nope. It is not a pomegranate cooler. Gurahl sharbat - the luscious red beverage\, popularly found in UP, is made from hibiscus. Yes, you read it right – hibiscus, the beautiful red flowers that are found in your home garden. The drink is made by making a hibiscus and lime juice syrup by cooking it in sugar syrup, giving it a deep red color. It is then served chilled with one part hibiscus syrup and three parts water.
