The warmth of ghee-laden hot makki di roti, the flavors of sarso da saag, and a happiness-filled huge glass of lassi – Punjabi cuisine is a culinary experience that one should not miss. A Punjabi thali, just like Punjab’s culture, is filled with abundant portions, flavors, and love. So we decided to explore this thali of abundance and know what’s really on a traditional Punjabi thali that makes it so iconic!
Dishes In A Traditional Punjabi Thali
Chole
How can a Punjabi thali not have chole? Chole is a soaked chickpea recipe where the chickpeas are pressure-cooked with robust and aromatic whole spices. It generally has a signature dark brown color, which is achieved by using amla or tea in the cooking process. It is revered for its deep, multilayered flavors and is one of the most important and loved dishes in a Punjabi thali.
Dal Makhani
Dal Makhani is one of the most revered dishes from Punjabi cuisine and has an important place in the traditional thali as well. It is a slow-cooked, thick, and creamy curry made using black lentils and red kidney beans. The velvety texture, multi-layered flavors are achieved with generous amounts of butter and cream added to it, and also the careful spicing by garam masala, making it a festive favourite that is served best with rice or naan.
Punjabi Breads
No Punjabi thali can ever be complete without having one or two of the Punjabi breads.
Naan: This is a soft, fluffy, slightly chewy flatbread that is cooked in a tandoor and is ideally paired with creamy curries like Dal Makhani.
Bhature: This is a deep-fried bread which is larger and fluffier than a normal puri and is commonly served with chole.
Makki di Roti: This is a winter special, soft flatbread made from maize flour, generally paired with Sarson da Saag.
Chapati/Roti: This is a whole-wheat flatbread cooked on a tawa, providing an earthy pairing to all the thali items.
Kulcha: This bread is similar to naan but is a bit thicker and is often stuffed with paneer or potatoes.
Laccha Parathas: This is a multi-layered flatbread that is cooked on a pan with ghee or oil. They can be both stuffed and plain and are one of the loved items in a Punjabi household.
Jeera Rice
Jeera rice is a simple yet flavorful rice preparation in a Punjabi thali. In this preparation, aromatic basmati rice is cooked in ghee with some whole spices and cumin seeds. Not all Punjabi thalis serve Jeera rice; they replace it with steamed rice or mild vegetable pulao, which has green peas and some spices in it.
Matar Paneer
This is a classic Punjabi dish which features green peas and medium to small cubes of soft paneer. It is cooked in a rich tomato onion gravy with some aromatic spices. The dish is famous for its mild spicing and creamy texture, and is a must on the Punjabi thali. It is relished with any of the Punjabi flatbreads. Some Punjabi thalis feature Palak Paneer or Kadhai Paneer instead of Matar Paneer.
Aloo Gobi
Aloo Gobi is a Punjabi dish that is made with potatoes and cauliflower. It is cooked well with a blend of spices to create a semi-dry curry or mildly moist preparation. It is a balanced dish with the earthiness of the potatoes, mild-sweetness from cauliflower, and the aromatic flavors from the spices used. Many Punjabi thalis replace aloo gobi with aloo mattar or baingan ka bharta.
Raita
Raita is a typical Indian side dish made using yogurt. It includes either vegetables like tomato, onion, and cucumbers, or it has fried gram flour balls, also known as boondi. It is a cool accompaniment to the spicy dishes in a Punjabi thali.
Punjabi Mango Pickle
Pickle or achar is an essential and inevitable part of a Punjabi thali. The most common pickle you will find on a Punjabi thali is raw mango pickle. It is a tangy preparation where pieces of raw mango are blended with oil and spices. It adds a pungent and tangy flavor to the overall meal experience.
Sweet Lassi
Lassi is an inevitable part of Punjabi culture and cuisine. It is a thick, yogurt-based drink that is sweetened with sugar. Some of them also add saffron or cardamom, or rose water for flavor. In Punjab, the lassi served is quite thick and is also topped with a dollop of malai.
Gajar Ka Halwa
What better way to end a hearty, heavy Punjabi meal than relishing a small bowl of Gajar Ka Halwa? Gajar ka Halwa is a revered sweet dish relished across India, especially in the northern regions during the winter season. It is made using carrots
Average Price: A good, fulfilling Punjabi thali might cost somewhere between ₹450 to ₹1000
Summing Up
A Punjabi thali is a symphony of flavors and textures that are a reflection of the rich Punjabi culture. From creamy Dal Makhani to tangy pickle, every dish of the Punjabi thali shows how much they believe in abundance and hospitality.
