8 Independence Day lunch ideas inspired by freedom fighters

New Delhi: Delicious dishes or simple food not just fill our stomach and give nutrition to our body, but they also bind everyone together as well as carry memories, culture and stories. During the Indian freedom movement, food played an important role. Chapati became a symbol of resistance and unity. It even sparked the Chapati Movement during the revolt of 1857. It is said that these chapatis were used to send coded messages. Another food was laddu or sweets. They were used to transport messages and information, mainly after the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.

As Independence Day is around the corner, the occasion is a great opportunity to keep alive the food legacy along with honouring our freedom fighters’ courage and sacrifices. Let us savour dishes which were once loved by our beloved leaders and freedom fighters, who shaped the destiny of India with their sheer willpower and bravery. From the simple daal, chawal, khichdi and curd to puran poli, litti chokha, fish curry and tandoori chicken, each dish will connect us to the past.

Celebrate the spirit of freedom with your family and loved ones with these Independence Day lunch ideas inspired by our freedom fighters and leaders.

1. Daal, rice with curd and vegetable dishes

Boondi curd raita makes even simple thakli of cooked daal, steamed rice and vegetable dishes tasty. Mahatma Gandhi enjoyed eating daal, rice and curd along with his favourite vegetables like bottle gourd and brinjal. Among sweets, he loved peda.

2. Tandoori chicken with green chutney

It is a famous Indian dish where chicken, marinated overnight in spices, herbs and yoghurt, is grilled to perfection in a tandoor or clay oven. If you don’t have an oven, cook it directly over the fire to infuse the smoky flavour. Serve it with green chutney like coriander, curd onion salad. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru savoured tandoori chicken even for breakfast.

3. Thali of steamed rice, vegetable dishes and fish

A thali of steamed rice, vegetable dishes with fish fry or fish curry will please the buds. In India, different states have multiple ways of cooking it based on the local ingredients available in the region. Mostly, fish is cooked with mustard or vegetables with tangy flavours like tomatoes, mango, elephant apple, etc. Babasaheb Ambedkar loved his home-made food comprising vegetable dishes, steamed rice, and fish curry. He enjoyed cooking too.

4. Litti chokha and puran poli

Litti, a whole wheat flour dough ball, is stuffed with an earthy, spiced mixture of sattu or roasted black chickpea or kala chana flour. Chokha is made of mashed vegetables like brinjal or eggplant, potato, and tomato etc.

Puran poli is made by stuffing the flour flatbread with cooked chana dal, sweetened lentils, jaggery and cardamoms. To add a punch of flavours, sometimes nutmeg and dried ginger are added. Later, it is cooked in pure ghee. It can be served with melted warm ghee or milk and tempered lentil stock.

Rani Laxmi Bai loved both litti chokha and puran poli. Tantia Tope joined her in savouring litti chokha.

5. Poori or chapati with vegetable and lassi

On festive occasions like Independence Day, making poori or chapati will be the easiest. It can be served with vegetable dishes and lassi. It’s simple yet delicious. Lal Bahadur Shastri enjoyed the combination of poori, vegetable dishes and lassi.

6. Khichdi with papad, curd or pickle

Another easy dish to serve on Independence Day is simple khichdi. Condiments like papad, pickles or curd will make it delicious. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose liked khichdi prepared in Bengali style. He also loved simple cooked dal or lentil, steamed rice, puri, curd and banana.

7. Kulhad milk with rabdi

Rabdi is a dessert prepared by simmering full-fat milk until it turns thick and layers of cream are formed. It is sweetened and flavoured with cardamoms, rose water and saffron. Savouring it in a kulhad brings a rustic charm. It is time-consuming, but the outcome is great. It can be served after a meal or taken anytime. Bhagat Singh loved savouring milk in a kulhad with a layer of rabdi on it when hiding.

8. Chicken curry with rice or chapati

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Chicken curry is made by simmering chicken pieces with many spices, herbs, onions, tomatoes and potatoes. It can be consumed with steamed rice or chapati. Rash Behari Bose loved eating chicken curry. He even introduced his recipe to Japan by opening a small restaurant in Shinjuku city.

Enjoy the spirit of freedom with these delicious Independence Day lunch ideas with your loved ones!