Food for the soul: A warm winter welcome with homemade Himachali siddus

In the cold season, it can maintain an optimum body temperature, since Himachal Pradesh experiences harsh winters

One thing that keeps echoing in my head whenever I visit Himachal is the idea of moving to the mountains permanently. It gets stronger with every visit. And honestly, it is not always the fresh air or the fresh food, it’s the vibe of the place and its people.

Today, the story of one such visit to Shimla, Himachal Pradesh demands to be shared. I had shared about the journey to the capital of Himachal on my Instagram stories. To my surprise, one of my followers reached out and expressed her wish to meet up. Anju Nirmal Sharma ji from Kasumpti warmed my heart with the a sweet (and salty) gesture: she surprised me with authentic homemade siddus in both sweet and salty versions.

The sweet siddu was prepared with a stuffing of jaggery and nuts, while the salty variation of this classic Himachali cuisine offering was a mixture of with chutney ingredients like mint, garlic, onions along with some poppy seeds. During our ensuing conversation about the traditional dhams (celebratory feast) from Himachal, and how recipes have been customised over the years, Anju told me the siddus she made have kodo millet flour.

I am beyond excited to share her unique, customised recipe of this dish. In the cold season, it can maintain an optimum body temperature as Himachal Pradesh experiences harsh winters.

HIMACHALI SIDDUS WITH KODO MILLET

Ingredients (for 6 big size siddus)

For siddu dough

• 1 cup – whole wheat flour

• ½ cup – kodo millet flour

• Salt to taste

• ½ tsp – instant yeast

• 1 tsp jaggery

• 2 tbsp cow ghee

• Lukewarm water to knead

For siddu stuffing (salty)

• 2 tbsp poppy seeds

• 2 tbsp finely chopped cashews and almonds

• 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger

• ¼ cup finely chopped green garlic

• 1 medium finely chopped green chillies (optional)

• Salt to taste

For siddu stuffing (sweet)

• 2 tbsp poppy seeds

• 2 tbsp finely chopped cashews and almon