In these days of summer, most people prefer to head towards the hill stations of Himachal Pradesh, one of which is Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It remains a center of attraction among tourists for its scenic views, mesmerizing valleys, snowy peaks, and other activities. But along with this the food here also attracts everyone's attention. The food here is mainly homemade but very rich in taste. Today in this episode, we are going to tell you about the main dishes of Shimla, whose taste you will not get tired of praising. Let's know about them...

Madra
Madra is one of the most popular dishes in Himachal Pradesh. Also known as chana madra, this is a thick, yogurt-based gravy, originally a delicacy that comes from the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The dish mainly consists of soaked chickpeas (chana) or vegetables. Well-cooked in oil and various spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, coriander powder, and turmeric powder enhance the flavor of this dish. This dish is best served with roti or chapati. Available in almost all restaurants in Shimla as well as across Himachal Pradesh, it is a dish that reflects the food culture of the state and is also served to guests at various functions.

Bharat
In traditional or local terms, Bhaat means cooked rice. That's why Tudkiya Bhaat can also be called the traditional veggie pulao of Himachal Pradesh. You might imagine that everywhere rice is made in its way, so what makes this dish special? Tudkiya Bhaat is loaded with your favorite vegetables, lentils, potatoes, and the goodness of tomato and garlic. They are also filled with flavourful spices like cinnamon, and turmeric and are served with a few drops of lemon juice on top. It is mainly prepared to be eaten with pulses as part of a nutritious healthy meal.

Thukpa
A noodle soup of Tibetan origin, thukpa can be prepared in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian ways. A variety of fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, green onions, string beans, carrots, and shredded cabbage can go with or without meat or chicken in the noodles. It is a hot meal prepared with ginger garlic paste, chili, and sauce as per choice.

Chicken Pomegranate
This delicious chicken dish from Shimla is influenced by Persian cuisine. Anardana Chicken is one of the most unique chicken recipes and is a mountain delight. It is slightly spicy and tangy. Chicken curry is prepared by mixing dried pomegranate seeds powder and yogurt and then cooked in ghee with onions and aromatic spices that add a unique flavor and pinkish-red color to the dish. It goes well with rice, roti, and paranthas.

Sidhu
Sidu is a wheat flour bread that is used as a side dish for most of the dishes. The preparation and making of Sidu is complicated and time-consuming but the taste makes every effort worthwhile. In this, yeast is used to make it more soft and light. This traditional roti can be found in virtually any eatery like a dhaba or restaurant.

Mash lentils
Mash dal is made from black lentils or ma dal. It is soaked overnight, cooked in a pressure cooker, and then boiled with very finely chopped onions, ginger, and garlic in a heavy-bottomed pan. Mashed lentils are also flavored and fried in hot mustard oil for flavor.

Minced meat
If you are a non-vegetarian then nothing can serve you better than Chha Gosht during your Shimla tour. An exotic traditional Himachal dish, chha gosht is a scrumptious main course dish made with marinated lamb which is further cooked in gram flour gravy. The use of spices like ginger garlic paste, cardamom, red chili powder, cardamom, and coriander powder enhances the flavor of the dish. The dish is generally served with steamed rice.

Babru
Babru is the Himachali equivalent of North Indian Kachori. Eaten as an evening snack or as a popular street food with some chickpea curry and sweet and sour chutney. However, Babru is a Kachori with some twist. It is made with black gram flour stuffing instead of mashed potatoes. If you are craving for a tasty and filling snack in the evening or for brunch, then Babru can be a delicious option.

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