Punjabi food is as vibrant, robust and rooted as the people itself. When we think of Punjabi food found in the cities, we mostly get to hear about the rich and luxuriant dishes like butter chicken, dal makhni etc. But seldom do we acknowledge the regular food prepared at Punjabi homes. It is simple, rustic and nutritious stuff rich in ghee and butter.
In today's episode we bring you a simple Punjabi food experience at the house of our gracious hosts from Krishna Nagar, Delhi. The Singh family has been living here for over 50 years. Their small and cosy house is surrounded by an open space in the front where there is an orange tree as well. On reaching there were welcomed by Rubel, the daughter of the house, her younger brother and her mother. Her elder brother Aman joined us later.
Over a lovely cup of jaggery tea the family shared some really old memories of the place when the surrounding was all full of farmlands and trees. It was far from what it seems today.
After the brief chat we headed to the open space to prepare the meal over a clay oven which included makki ki roti and sarson ka saag.
For saag she chopped some mustard and spinach leaves and cooked it in an open vessel along with ginger, garlic and chillies. When it thickened she tempered it with ghee, garlic, onions and tomatoes. Then she moved on to makki ki roti. These thick, coarse textured flatbread was prepared with maize flour dough and was smeared with butter.
Rubel prepared some salty lassi with yogurt, roasted cumin powder, rock salt and pepper powder. When the meal was ready, Rubel's elder brother Aman joined us for eating.
The smoky flavoured flatbread wonderfully complimented the thick and distinctly flavourful saag. It ended with a tall glass of salted lassi that cleanses the palate and aids digestion.
Once we were done Rubel's brother bought us some homemade gud paare. She told us how it is a ritual to have it after every saag and roti meal.
Even though we have tried this combination numerous times, we can never get enough of it.