Pahaadi Pijja, Mountain Pizza from Kufri, Himachal Pradesh
Pahaadi Pijja, they call that for Mountain Pizza!
And that is what we had as sweet dish at a dhaba (roadside inn) on our way to Chail from Kufri. After a sumptuous lunch, the dhaba owner was very keen to treat us to this specialty of his place. We were a bunch of travel bloggers touring Kufri, we had just gobbled up every dish he served and now we were keen for the dessert.
“You must taste this mountain pizza” he insisted… “this is much tastier than the ones you get in your cities” he bragged. Call it as a local food of Kufri or dessert of the hills.
He got me curious.. he says it is a sweet dish and then he says it is a pizza.. what could it be?! I positioned myself near his chulha (stove) burning bright with pieces of red hot coal, to take pictures and learn the way he makes it.
Mountain Pizza from Kufri
He started off with a rolling out a roti (Indian bread), lightly heated it up both sides. It wasn’t fully cooked yet. This looked simple, at least I can start on my own at home… I thought.
His wife had grounded some golden colored molasses. Next he sprinkled those grounded gud (jaggery) on it and then poured ghee (clarified butter) very generously over the whole roti. “It is not going to take long” he kept assuring while going through the process.
Meet this Chef’s wife here: Faces of India – 143
“This will keep your body warm” he said, as if to highlight ts food value. The ingredients looked fine and easily available types to me.
Dessert of the Mountains – Pahadi Pijja
Next he placed it on a mesh grill and placed it directly on the coal burning bright inside the chulha. Soon the aroma of ghee wafted around, it was making me impatient and curious. The ingredients that went in should definitely produce wonderful results.
Making of Mountain Pizza in their tandoor
Needless to say the result was mouth watering. The gud (molasses) and ghee melted and mixed; and was sizzling and teasing. The golden glow on it was a stamp of perfection, a little more heat would have spoiled it, I concluded. This beats all pizzas at pizza festival in California Kitchen.
The chef now ran his pizza cutter on the freshly made mountain pizza criss-cross. It took lot of effort from my end to not grab at the pieces.
Dessert slices of pahadi pijja – Mountain Pizza from Kufri
Forgetting all my worries of calories I placed a piece in my mouth. Slowly I chewed on it. It was different! A crispy pizza oozing with sweet juices! It looked amazingly simple contrary to the first impression I got when he said pahaadi pijja.
One more to the types of pizza in India, a sweet desi pizza. Such local flavors enhance the joy of travel!
yummy and inviting!
wow!!! that sounds delicious!!!!! missed this when we went to kufri!!! now i have to go back all the way 😀
Sounds heavenly !
This kind of simple during travel is always memorable. i think that dish is very simple but really delicious..
Love it. yummmmm!
I missed this 🙁
Wow such a simple recipe….and sounds real yum!!!!!!!! A must try
Very Very Tasty Tasty
Oh my goddd!! This is so amazing!! I want this pijja, too!
I want to try this Yummylicious Pijja now 😀
Mmmmmmmm, mouthwatering. Did you try it out at home later?
Quite a surprise pizza dish this ended up being…gud and ghee wow!
Thanks for sharing!
Melted jaggery on ghee..oh! Looks delicious!
i want this yummy one!!
Tasty and mouth watering, yummy 🙂
wow… indianized 🙂 delicious…
lip smacking stuff.like it
My watering is mouth…~~~
ohho…my mouth is watering…
Yummy!!! I think I would like that.
Like the name- Pahari Pizza! Ha ha, ghee and gur, so must be lovely taste!
It looks delicious. . 🙂
trying local cuisines surely contributes to the 1/4th joy of traveling 🙂
I am a pizza junkie….my fav is covered in fresh veggies and lots of cheese with plenty of fresh tomatoes. But that one sounds wonderful…just needs more stuff!!
Hugs
SUeAnn
It looks tasty! I'm glad you forgot about your fear of calories. 🙂
Sounds gorgeous. I would stay at home and bake a Pahaadi Pijja, but I don't have a fire.
Sure looks good. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Travelling exposes you to such a variety of things.
Wish I would have been there!!!
Interesting delicacy!
A different kind of piza 🙂
i would luv to hv a pice of tht!
Looks delicious!
Delicious food
thanks
Sounds delicious.
I want to eat this post!
Sounds Wonderful!
"Definition: Gud or Jaggery is the Indian name for unrefined sugarcane sugar. It is widely used in both savory and sweet dishes all over India. Gud is usually sold in block form. Since no preservatives or chemicals are added to it during its preparation and also because it is made in iron vessels and retains a large amount of the element, it is thought to be far more nutritious than refined sugar. In Indian cooking, Gud is often added to savory dishes to enhance their flavor. Used in sweet dishes, it imparts a unique, earthy taste. In India, people often offer Gud to family and friends while making any announcement of good news… to sweeten the mouth!"
http://indianfood.about.com/od/glossaryofterms/g/gud.htm
Aloha
This looks delicious, Indra!
and I think it taste and smell amazing… 😉
Warm greetings from Holland,
Anna :))
That looks delicious and interesting to see it being prepared.
Wow…the pijja looks so tempting!!In fact,…the smoke should add more to its flavor. Interesting post, Indrani. Thanks for sharing..
A sweet pizza does sound different, but delicious. Are you going to try this at home?
Amazing! Thanks for sharing, Indrani!
that sounds delicious!