Haldiram's

Haldiram's is one of India's largest snack and sweet companies, with roots in Bikaner in Rajasthan and a name that most South Asian shoppers know from namkeen such as bhujia and mixtures. Alongside the snacks it makes ready meals: vegetarian North Indian dishes cooked, sealed and shelf stable, so they keep in the cupboard until needed.

The Haldiram's range we carry sits in our Indian ready meals collection, part of the wider ready meals shelf. It covers the dishes of a Punjabi dhaba and a Delhi lunch counter: dal tadka and creamy dal makhani, chole in more than one regional style, Kashmiri dum aloo, sarson da saag, pav bhaji, and paneer dishes with spinach or peas. Some of the paneer dishes are also made with tofu for shoppers who avoid dairy.

These pouches are useful for students, late shifts and anyone who wants a proper dal without an hour at the stove. Heat the pouch in a pan of boiling water or tip it into a bowl for the microwave, following the timing on the pack. Dal makhani wants jeera rice or naan, chole goes with bhature or kulcha, sarson da saag belongs with makki di roti and a lump of butter, and pav bhaji needs soft buttered rolls with chopped onion and lemon. Adding a fresh tarka of ghee, cumin and garlic makes any of them taste closer to home.

Unopened pouches keep for months at room temperature; once heated, eat the dish the same day. To compare Haldiram's with other prepared dishes, look at our Sri Lankan curries or the tinned saag and spinach range.