Punjab,
the land of the five rivers - Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, Ravi and Jhelum, is also
called the land of milk and honey.
Perhaps it would be appropriate to call it the land of plenty!! Punjabi cooking
and eating is just like the Punjabis themselves. It is simple and forthright. Punjabis
are a hardworking and fun loving community by nature with food and merriment,
very much a part of their lives.
Being an
agricultural state the staple food of Punjab is wheat and to accompany hot
rotis and parathas are a variety of the most exotic vegetarian and
non-vegetarian delights.
Punjabi
cuisine has always been strongly influenced by Mughal invaders who brought with
them the tradition of the great Tandoor and now Punjabi tandoori cooking is
celebrated as one of the most popular cuisine throughout the world.
Punjabi cuisine is not subtle in its flavors.
There are no intricate marinades or exotic sauces but it has full-bodied
masalas (spices) cooked with liberal amount of pure desi ghee (clarified
butter) always served with a liberal hand of butter or cream. Milk and its
products are an essential part of everyday cooking. Curd and buttermilk are
also an essential concomitant with every Punjabi meal.
Keeping the tradition alive and to bring the
heartland of Punjab to our own city, Punjab Grill has done its best so far.
Punjab Grill from the house of Lite Bite Foods have tried to take things to a new
level. Corporate Chef Gurpreet Singh Gehdu with his Team has done wonders which are real works of art, I must say.
We have always , for as long as I remember have
savoured only a selected few dishes like Butter chicken, Dal Makhni and Sarson
ka Saag with Makki ki Roti and considered them to be the cult dishes from
Punjab. But we never gave it a second thought that these dishes have always been
done commercially at Restaurant level, whereas real Punjabi cuisine has existed
and evolved at Punjabi homes in Pinds (villages) and towns of Punjab.
Team Punjab Grill has done a lot of research
and finally brought back the gems of traditional cuisine of Punjab like the
Atta chicken, Kunna meat, Maa Choley di Daal, Khoya Paneer, Lamb and Chicken
Pickle, Jaggery infused with spices, Ghee Shakkar and not to forget the most
appetizing Kali Gajar ki Kanji.
I was invited by them to relish these delicacies,
and was really impressed by the way they have cooked and presented the whole
affair. Each and every dish , starting with the
Machhi ke pakode ( big chunks of river Sole fish covered in chickpea
flour batter with ajwain and deep fried) which were the best I have had till
date. The Mutton Chaap was and has always been the most coveted dish at Punjab
Grill, the three ribbed mutton cuts coated in the most exotic blend of spices
and grilled; melt in the mouth types. The Kali Gajar ki Kanji was the perfect accompaniment
and a great start to the meal.
The highlight of the meal was the Kot Kapura Atta Chicken,
which was served next. It came as a ball of dough, well cooked and brownish in
colour (grilled in tandoor). The server very humbly cut the dough and the
muslin cloth in which the chicken was wrapped inside with whole almonds and
tandoori masala in yoghurt etc. Smell was amazing and yes the taste was very
different from whatever style of chicken you have ever had. Though it was a
little dry, but still very unique and flavourful. The dishes like the Kunna
Meat ( cooked everything together in one pot) and Pind da Saag (coarsely ground) were served in clay bowls accompaniments
were fresh white butter, lamb and chicken pickle, gajar gobhi pickle,and not to
forget the Khoya Paneer( white gravy with sweet milky flavour) and the Maa
Choleya di Daal ( Langar Style).
Small size breads i.e. Tiny lachha paranthas,
pudina paranthas and mirchi paranthas were served , which were very cute as
well as perfectly done. One of the best dishes was the Hari Choliya Pulao made with
Basmati rice and the Sela; tasted really awesome.
The Ghee Shakkar (powdered jaggery) was
another gem on the table, which made the whole experience more worthwhile. For
the desserts they had done beautiful Jaggery Rice (not very sweet at all) and
the Makhana ki Kheer. Both were very nicely made and a perfect closure to our
meal experience.
For the love of Punjabi food, especially the
unique dishes on offer during this promotion ; all the foodies and food lovers
whether Punjabis or not must visit Punjab Grill and savour the flavours of
RANGLA PUNJAB.
PUNJAB GRILL - Level Two, Select City Walk, Saket
UPTO - Feb 24th (Lunch and Dinner)
Coverage and Review By : Vickrham (vicky)
Email : vickrham.m@gmail.com