Puran Poli is a popular sweet flatbread from Maharashtra, India. It is a delectable combination of a sweet lentil filling called “puran” encased in a soft and thin wheat flour dough. This traditional delicacy holds a special place in Maharashtrian cuisine and is often prepared during festivals, family gatherings, and auspicious occasions. In this article, we will delve into the origins of Puran Poli, explore its cultural significance, and provide a simple recipe for you to try at home.
Origin and Cultural Significance of Puran Poli:
Puran Poli finds its roots deeply embedded in the ancient history of Maharashtra, dating back to times of yore. It is believed to have its roots in the Marathi-speaking communities and holds great cultural significance. The dish is often associated with festive occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, and Holi, where it is considered a must-have treat. Puran Poli is also a popular offering made during religious ceremonies and auspicious rituals.
1 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram)
1 cup jaggery, grated
1 cup wheat flour
2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
A pinch of turmeric powder
A pinch of salt
Water, as needed
Ghee, for frying
For the filling:
Rinse the chana dal thoroughly and soak it in water for about 2-3 hours.
Drain the soaked dal and cook it in a pressure cooker with enough water until it becomes soft and easily mashable.
Once the dal is cooked, drain any excess water and transfer it to a pan.
Add grated jaggery to the cooked dal and cook on medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and forms a smooth consistency.
Add a pinch of turmeric powder and mix well. Take the pan off the heat and allow it to cool down.
For the dough:
In a mixing bowl, combine wheat flour, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons of ghee.
Gradually add water and knead the mixture to form a soft and smooth dough. Allow the dough to rest undisturbed for a duration of 15 to 20 minutes.
Assembling and Cooking:
Divide the dough and filling into equal-sized portions.
Take one portion of dough and flatten it into a small disc. Place one portion of the filling in the center and bring the edges of the dough together to seal it completely.
Roll out the filled dough gently into a flatbread, dusting it with flour as needed to prevent sticking.
Heat a griddle or tawa on medium heat and cook the Puran Poli on both sides until golden brown, applying ghee on each side.
Proceed with the same process for the remaining dough and filling.
Serve warm Puran Poli with a drizzle of ghee and enjoy the delightful flavors of this traditional Maharashtrian sweet.
Conclusion:
Puran Poli is not just a sweet flatbread; it is a cherished part of Maharashtrian culinary heritage. Its origins and cultural significance make it more than just a delicious treat. The harmonious blend of the sweet lentil filling and the soft dough creates a delightful symphony of flavors that will undoubtedly leave you longing for another bite.So, the next time you want to savor a traditional Maharashtrian delicacy, try making Puran Poli and immerse yourself in the rich flavors and cultural heritage of Maharashtra.
Welcome to the culinary paradise of Maharashtra, where traditional food takes center stage and tantalizes taste buds with its rich flavors and aromatic spices. Maharashtra’s gastronomic heritage is a delightful blend of bold flavors, unique cooking techniques, and diverse ingredients that reflect the state’s cultural diversity. From street food delights like the iconic vada pav and pav bhaji to the festive indulgence of puran poli and ukdiche modak, Maharashtra’s traditional cuisine offers a feast for both the senses and the soul. Get ready to embark on a mouthwatering journey through the vibrant and delectable world of Maharashtra’s traditional food. Maharashtra is one of the western states in the Indian Subcontinent that has its own cultural diversity. The ethnicity of the place is still well preserved and people nurture it very much. The food in Maharashtrais also part of this cultural diversity and there are some of these delicacies that are mouth-watering and extremely delicious. Come join me as we explore the amazing food native to Maharashtra. The next visit to Maharashtra will be full of unique dishes that are part of the native cuisine.
The list of spectacular Maharashtrian food is never ending, but we will here focus on the amazing food that the state of Maharashtra has to offer.
Let’s drool over the Maharashtra famous food list: #1. Pav Bhaji – Famous Food of Maharashtra #2. Vada Pav- Famous Food of Maharashtra #3. Puran Poli- Famous Food of Maharashtra #4. Misal Pav- Famous Food of Maharashtra #5. Modak- Famous Food of Maharashtra #6. Ragda Pattice- Famous Food of Maharashtra #7. Bharli Vangi- Famous Food of Maharashtra #8. Shrikhand- Famous Food of Maharashtra #9. Poha- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#10. Sabudana Khichdi- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#11. Rassa- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#12. Sol Kadhi- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#1. Pav Bhaji- Famous Food of Maharashtra
The one food that has been traced back to the State of Maharashtra is the amazing Pav Bhaji. This dish is served with toasted bread made of flour and potato mash cooked with a variety of vegetables. The bread is very spongy and the toasted flavour of the bread with butter enhances its taste. The bhaji is made with a lot of chopped vegetables such as capsicum, onions and tomatoes. The special taste that is attained by the bhaji is because of the Pav Bhaji masala that is made by mixing a number of spices. This dish is loved by a lot of Indians and is served with different variations all across the country.
#2. Vada Pav- Famous Food of Maharashtra
If you went to any place in Maharashtra and did not enjoy this dish, I would say you missed out on a lot. This fast food cum snack cum main course is served to thousands of people all around Maharashtra. This dish has a potato patty which is wrapped in gram flour and deep fried. This deep-fried patty is placed inside of a bun which is laced with different spicy chutneys. This famous dish of Maharashtra is served with a green chilli on the side which enhances the flavour.
The most important thing about this dish is that it is very economically feasible for people of all groups. The potato patty adds volume to the dish and it can fill your hungry stomach quite easily. This dish also has a variation that is bhajiya pav which has a fritter made of onion placed in between the bun.
#3. Puran Poli- Famous Food of Maharashtra
This dish is extremely popular among the Marathi population. This dish is basically the western version of the Parathas. The twist to this dish is that it is sweet in taste. The stuffing for the puran poli is made of chana dal and jaggery. This stuffing is placed in a dough ball and then spread as a paratha and cooked properly on a pan. This sweet dish is made in every Maharashtrian household when there are any festive celebrations. This dish is not only cooked during celebration time but can be eaten out throughout the day.
#4. Misal Pav- Famous Food of Maharashtra
One of those dishes that is loved by Maharashtrians and is part of the Maharashtrian Cuisine is Misal Pav. Pav is flour bread which is very soft and spongy. This dish has its origins in the city of Pune and can be eaten at any time during the day. But most people prefer to eat it during the morning hours or even during brunch time. A lentil curry is prepared and this curry is served with the spongy bread. It is widely eaten around the state of Maharashtra and is one of the best foods in Maharashtra.
This is one of the best foods served in Maharashtra. It is mostly served during Ganesh Mahautsav and is a traditional food of Maharashtra as it is one of the sweet delicacies that is also served to the deity. It is believed that Modak is the most favourite sweet of Lord Ganpati and he loves eating it. The filling of the modak is sweet and it mostly consists of freshly grated coconut and jaggery. The outer covering of the modak is made of rice flour and it is steamed mostly. There are different varieties of modak that are served all around the State of Maharashtra during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival which is celebrated eco-friendly these days.
#6. Ragda Pattice- Famous Food of Maharashtra
This is one of the most famous Maharashtrian street food dishes which has the name ragda pattice. This dish is prepared by boiled peas which are served with lots of spices and chutneys. The patty is made of potato and it is dipped in the pea gravy. There are some crisps that are served as a side dish to the Ragda patty. This dish is served in many restaurants across Maharashtra and also part of the local street food and is served at different stalls.
#7. Bharli Vangi- Famous Food of Maharashtra
This is one of the most interesting ways to cook brinjal which makes it even more delicious. The brinjal is stuffed with coconut, onion and jaggery. One of the most interesting things about this dish is that it uses a special recipe that is the Marathi goda masala that makes the dish taste delicious. The brinjal gets a new flavour because of this dish. There might be people who do not like the vegetable but with this dish they are going to enjoy eating brinjal.
#8. Shrikhand- Famous Food of Maharashtra
This is another sweet dish that is served all across Maharashtra. It is a sweet yogurt dish, which has a lot of flavours like cardamom powder, saffron etcetera. This dish is the most decorated at any Marathi wedding ceremony and is also served to people during the times of Dussehra. There are many sweet dishes in Maharashtrian cuisinebut there is nothing like the sweet delicacy of Shrikhand.
This dish is majorly served with puris that are hot. So, the cold yogurt dish can create a balance.
How can we forget Poha, when we are discussing Maharashtrian cuisine? Poha also known as kanda poha in Maharashtra is a breakfast essential. It is made almost every day in every household as a breakfast staple. It is made from flattened rice which is soaked in water for a while and then dried up. This dish contains mustard seeds, peanuts and mostly onions which is also called kanda in the Marathi language. The dish of Poha has a lot of variations such as the batata poha, which means the poha has the main ingredient as potatoes. There are also other ingredients that go into the making of the dish such as grated coconut and lime juice which greatly enhance the flavours of the dish.
#10. Sabudana Khichdi- Famous Food of Maharashtra
This dish is prepared from Sago or Tapioca Starch. It is widely popular as a snacking item among the Marathi population. The people of Maharashtra eat this savoury item which has a lot of curry leaves, peanuts and a dash of lime juice which makes the dish an ultimate hit. This dish is mostly consumed by people who are on a fast during the festive season. Due to the special preparations of the dish during the fast, ghee is also used in making the dish better.
#11. Rassa- Famous Food of Maharashtra
This is one of the non-vegetarian dishes that is loved by most of the Marathis. It can be made of chicken or mutton. This dish has a lot of spices and gravy so the name is rassa. This fish can be best eaten with rice or even any bread that is traditionally made in Maharashtra. There are many variations to this dish as the red curry uses a lot of red chillies and is served piping hot. As this dish is very famous among the people, it can be found at any local non-vegetarian restaurant. If you have a thing for amazing non-vegetarian dishes then you must try this one out. Another non-vegetarian dish to drool over is the Kolhapur Chicken which has enormous spices but a very subtle taste.
Sol Kadhi is one of the most popular Maharashtrian dishes that is made from the white jelly part of the coconut. This white gelatinous part of the coconut is sweet in taste and is used in making this amazing delicacy. This dish is mostly famous around the coastal cities of Maharashtra, Goaand other Konkan Regions, where coconut is very easily available. This dish is also very health friendly as coconut has many qualities when it comes to health.
Maharashtra has proved time and again that it has a diverse culture that has been preserved by the local people through different times. There are some delicacies in the Maharashtrian cuisine that are world famous and are recognised by top restaurants around the world. Food in Maharashtra is very economically friendly because you get huge filling portions in a less amount.
There are many people in Maharashtra that live in slums, for them street food such as vada pav are part of their daily meal. But there are others who enjoy the delicacy of vada pav equally. The sweet tooth people also have different desserts to choose from such as the Puran Poli, Modak and Shrikhand. There are also non-vegetarian dishes such as rassa which are hugely popular and satisfy the non-vegetarian community residing in the state of Maharashtra.
All in all, if you ever get a chance to explore the specialities of Maharashtra, you might not want to miss the chance. So, to all the crazy eaters, eat away.
Q1: What are some famous dishes from Maharashtra? A: Maharashtra is known for its diverse and flavorsome cuisine. Some popular dishes include Vada Pav, Misal Pav, Puran Poli, Pav Bhaji, Modak, Sabudana Vada, and Kolhapuri Chicken.
Q2: What is the specialty street food of Maharashtra? A: Maharashtra offers a wide range of lip-smacking street food options. Some must-try street foods include Bhel Puri, Pani Puri, Dabeli, Kothimbir Vadi, Batata Vada, and Ragda Pattice.
Q3: Are there any vegetarian specialties in Maharashtrian cuisine? A: Absolutely! Maharashtrian cuisine has a variety of vegetarian delights. Some popular vegetarian specialties include Thalipeeth, Sabudana Khichdi, Bharli Vangi (Stuffed Eggplant), Masale Bhaat, and Puran Poli.
Q4: Which regions of Maharashtra have distinct food cultures? A: Different regions of Maharashtra have their own distinct food cultures. For instance, Kolhapuri cuisine is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes, while Malvani cuisine offers a coastal culinary experience with its delectable seafood preparations.
Q5: Can you recommend any sweet delicacies from Maharashtra? A: Maharashtra is known for its delectable sweet treats. Some must-try desserts include Modak (especially during Ganesh Chaturthi), Shrikhand, Aamras, Basundi, and Gulab Jamun.
Q6: Are there any famous food festivals in Maharashtra? A: Yes, Maharashtra hosts several food festivals that showcase the rich culinary heritage of the state. The Pune Food Festival, Nagpur Food Festival, and Mumbai Street Food Festival are some notable events where you can savor a wide array of Maharashtrian delicacies.
Q7: What makes Maharashtrian cuisine unique? A: Maharashtrian cuisine is characterized by its bold flavors, aromatic spices, and the use of locally available ingredients. The cuisine reflects the diverse cultural influences on the region, resulting in a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
Q8: Where can I find authentic Maharashtrian food in Maharashtra? A: Authentic Maharashtrian food can be found in local eateries, street food stalls, and traditional Maharashtrian restaurants across Maharashtra. Cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik offer a wide range of options to explore the culinary delights of the state.
Q9: Are there any popular beverages from Maharashtra? A: Yes, Maharashtra offers refreshing beverages such as Kokum Sherbet, Solkadhi (made from kokum and coconut milk), and Taak (a spiced buttermilk) that are perfect for beating the heat and complementing the flavors of the local cuisine.
Q10: Can I learn to cook Maharashtrian dishes? A: Yes, there are cooking classes and workshops available in Maharashtra where you can learn to cook Maharashtrian dishes. Additionally, there are online resources, cookbooks, and videos that can guide you in recreating these delectable dishes in your own kitchen.
Misal Pav is a popular Indian breakfast, brunch or snack food. It is primarily made in Maharashtra. Usually a street food variety, Misal is also made at home, on occasions, and during festivals. A vegan dish, it is made of usal (sprouts curry). The generous toppings on onions and sprinklings of farsan, alongside pav, makes eating this dish a lightweight and refreshing experience. The dish is considered to be an energy booster because of a balanced mix of carbs, fat, and protein.
So, which are the best places to eat Misal in Pune? Here are some picks.
#1. Katakirr’s Misal Pav in Pune #2. Shri Krishna Bhuvan’s Misal Pav in Pune #3. Bedekar’s Misal Pav in Pune #4. Newale’s Misal Pav in Pune #5. Martand’s Misal Pav in Pune #6. Rupesh’s Misal Pav in Pune
#7. Masti Misal’s Misal Pav in Pune #8. Café Durga’s Misal Pav in Pune
#1. Katakirr Misal in Pune
A well-known place to bite into refreshing Misal Pavs, this place is a thronged by Punekars, making it amongst the best places to eat Misal in Pune. Katakkir Misal in Pune has 5 branches; the first one was opened in Karvenagar. Always filled to the brim, this place has high footfall. Thanks to the recent use of technology, order management is automated. So that hungry customers do not need to wait to taste the refreshing tingle of spice. Medium and highly spicy options are available. When you arrive, don’t forget to register your name and mobile number at the token counter. Your name will be called out to take the order. You won’t need to wait long. There are chances you might visit this place again and again.
#2. Shri Krishna Bhuvan in Pune
For lovers of less spice, Shri Krishna Bhuvan in Pune offers a mildly spicy misal in Pune variety that is high on taste, and rich in flavor. This place not just serves Misal, but other breakfast items too. Eat some Kanda Poha along with Misal, or even try taak after a delicious munch-athon! End the delightful experience with some sweets – try shera to leave you gasping in a joyous mood. Located in Budhwar Peth, at a nominal price of Rs. 70, you get a phenomenal time. Open on all days, head to this place whenever your tastebuds tingle for some Misal.
Must Read: 5 Types Of Tikkas You Must Have While Travelling in India
#3. Bedekar Misal in Pune
Also called Bedekar Tea Stall in Pune, this place serves Misal with sliced bread instead of the usual Pav, making it among the best places to eat Misal in Pune to eat bread Misal. The decades old place provides a good culinary experience for Misal lovers. Also served here are chirotes, something that will leave you asking for more. Weekends are slightly crowded, so weekdays are best to eat here in peace. Although the place is small, the Misal taste compensates for the lack of space, with an overdose of heady Misal pungent taste. The Misal served here has a balanced taste, not too spicy, not too sweet. It is a different take on the way Misal is made, and is this specific taste is preferred by many.
#4. Newale Misal in Pune
Eating Misal in Pune with special bhel and batata bhaji is a mind-blowing affair. Topped by the crispy and crunchy Farsan, the Misal here is moderately spicy and high on taste. There are several other foods to try here too – for spice lovers, this is the right place to be for a heady dose of spicy dishes. Located in Gandhi Peth, locals visit this place to enjoy solkadi, dahi vati, farsan plate, and taak as well.
#5. Martand Misal in Pune For those who want to add a twist to their Misal, can head to Martand Misal, one of the best places to eat Misal in Pune. The twist is nothing but more variety added to a Misal Pav dish. Along with Misal Pav, you will get boondi, chhole, aalu sabji, Gulab Jamun, taak, farsaan, and mataki. Also served here are varieties of Misal – Amul Butter variety, Martand Misal, Dahi Misal, Kaju Special etc. Located in Shukrawar Peth, at a price of Rs. 60, you get a culinary experience that is priceless. Importantly, it is light on the stomach. Wash the spice down with some taak. Top the taste with some Gulab Jamun. Cool it off with some dahi.
#6. Rupesh Misal in Pune
This Misal in Pune eatery is a famous one with celebrities too. Offering palatable food at an economical price, Rupesh Misal from the outside looks very much like a rustic misal eat-out. But once you go in, you don’t come out the same person. That’s why people of all ages, walks of life, come here to forget everything for a few minutes. They eat to their heart’s content. The food is light, easy on the digestive system, and versatile. Post the meal, the person is more energized than drowsy. Ready to take on the day, rather than going for a nap! That’s the power of Misal at Rupesh Misal.
#7. Masti Misal in Pune This place has a lot of variety when it comes to offering misal, making it amongst the top best places to eat Misal in Pune for sheer variety. There is Jain Masti Misal, regular Masti Misal, Masti Buti, Masti Shev Pav. On offer are combo meals too, such as bachacha misal and dahi butti or bun maska with coffee. Then are a variety of sweets such as Piyush shot, Jamun shot, Mastana Shot, and Kharwas. After a meal you can wash it down with Kokam Sharbhat, Solkadhi, Taak, or buttermilk. Options are galore in Masti Misal. If you are still in the mood for some indulgence, then there is sweet lassi or various dessert combos to try out.
#8. Café Durga in Pune
This place is not just a regular café but a place to enjoy light food that is high on taste, and provides a sense of fulfilment. Apart from Misal in Pune, you get to eat lots more varieties of food. Try Sabudana Khichdi, bun maska, jam toast, cheese bread upma, idli fry, idli sambar, and molga podi idli. Wash it down with some iced tea or hot milk.
Conclusion
Misal in Pune will always remain a popular choice for the people of Pune. The sheer delight that this food gives is beyond explanation. A simple dish such as this deserves a huge recognition. It has to be said that sometimes simple foods give the most fulfillment. Served at so many places, you can eat this dish anytime and as many times as you like. Each time you eat, you will feel a new experience. You won’t get bored ever eating Misal Pav. That’s why so many eateries fully devoted to cooking and serving Misal Pav are still functioning. Misal Pav in its simplicity is a great dish, full of flavor, taste, color, and provides lots of satisfaction.
