The Rajwadi land of Rajputs is a paradise for foodies out there. Rajasthani cuisine is among those rare cuisines boasting of a never-ending platter with a plethora of dishes; ranging from tangy drinks to spicy starters, mouth-watering sabzis and crunchy bread along with added delights of chutneys, achars, papad and chhach. Not to forget the delicate desserts and rich crunchy delights that melt in your mouth instantly!
Rajasthani cuisine is influenced by its rich heritage and arid climatic conditions. The little availability of fresh fruits and vegetables distinguishes their cuisine. A few common ingredients are beans, lentils, gram flour, corn, barley, millet, bajra, bread and dairy products (esp. Ghee). There is more inclination towards vegetarian food, but various kinds of meat dishes prevail as well.
This famous Rajasthani dish needs no introduction. Dal bati churma is synonymous to Rajasthan.
A meal in Rajasthan is incomplete without Dal Bati Churma, one of Rajasthan’s most savoured, complete meals. The dish itself consists of Dal (Lentils), Baati (wheat bread balls) and Churma (Sweet powdered cereal), served with red chilli on top of it along with spicy garlic chutney.
It might not be appealing in looks, but I can assure every taste bud in your mouth will be telling a different story. Assorted with local herbs and spices, Ker Saangri Ro Sang can be relished with delicious Bajre ki Roti, topped with melting Makkhan (White Butter) , this bean and berry vegetable is flavourful, tangy and delightful. It is considered to be one of Rajasthan’s most authentic gourmet preparations and is a must at Marwari wedding celebrations.
Rajasthan Food Food Origins and Common Ingredients
Rajasthani cuisine is influenced by its rich heritage and arid climatic conditions. The little availability of fresh fruits and vegetables distinguishes their cuisine. A few common ingredients are beans, lentils, gram flour, corn, barley, millet, bajra, bread and dairy products (esp. Ghee). There is more inclination towards vegetarian food, but various kinds of meat dishes prevail as well.
The traditional dishes of Rajasthan owe a lot to the war-like lifestyle of ancient Rajput warriors, who would spend several weeks, and sometimes months, away from home. They required nutritious food that could last for several days and be easily carried. This need was the conception of the diverse and delectable Rajasthani cuisine we have today.
A journey to Rajasthan is incomplete without a taste of its traditional flavours and recipes. Rajasthani Food is so easy to cook that you can cook and enjoy the flavourful food even at your home. Here are some absolutely delicious Rajasthani dishes that will make you drool instantly.
VEGETARIAN’S LOVE:
1. Dal Bati Churma - Traditional Food of Rajasthan
This famous Rajasthani dish needs no introduction. Dal bati churma is synonymous to Rajasthan.
A meal in Rajasthan is incomplete without Dal Bati Churma, one of Rajasthan’s most savoured, complete meals. The dish itself consists of Dal (Lentils), Baati (wheat bread balls) and Churma (Sweet powdered cereal), served with red chilli on top of it along with spicy garlic chutney. The wheat bread ball is dipped in pure ghee and served hot in an earthen pot with a small vessel of Dal, red chili, spicy garlic chutney. In last Churma is served which is coarsely ground wheat crushed and cooked with ghee and sugar.
2. Pyaaz Ki Kachori
A breakfast in Rajasthan can be accompanied by a delicious Kachori, but one can enjoy this sweet and spicy snack any time of the day.
A variation of kachori, Pyaaz kachori is prepared with a filling of onions, potatoes and spices. This puffy pastry is a sellout at every Namkeen shop in Rajasthan. This breakfast snack is best enjoyed with sweet and sour tamarind chutney.
3. Mirchi Bada
This popular spicy snack is enjoyed especially in Jodhpur during monsoon. It is prepared by splitting a mirchi (green chili) and stuffing it with spices, a layer of mashed potato and gram flour. The green chili is first fried with the potato and spices and then deep fried with the gram flour over it.
Rajasthan has always been a heaven for the adventurous foodie, and one must experience the journey of flavours of this royal state.
4. Kalmi Vada
Rajasthan is a state known for its unique array of piping hot snacks. Kalmi Vada is one such popular Rajasthani snack that is made using besan and served with spicy coriander chutney. Kalmi Vada can be prepared well-ahead in time and stored to be savoured as a tea-time snack for many days.
5. METHI BAJRA POORI
This steaming hot Rajasthani snack which is mostly eaten during winters is a favorite among health-conscious people.
Prepared with the minimum amount of oil, the goodness of Bajra (pearl millet flour) and fresh methi (fenugreek leaves). Bajra provides a crunchy character to this healthy, light puffy delight, making it a perfect snack to munch on while cuddled inside the blanket. It can be savoured with chutney, Jeera Aaloo & Raita.
6. RAJASTHANI MALAI MIRCH
Chilli is an indispensable part of everyday Rajasthani cuisine but the Rajasthani Malai Mirch is considered a genteel treat as it is cooked in fresh milk cream. The dish originated in the Udaipur where local people add whipped cream to enhance the richness of the simple chilli preparation.
7. SHAHI GATTE
Typical Rajasthani food platters are almost incomplete without gattes; Rajasthan has a variety of Gatte preparations. Shahi Gatte or Masala gatte are Gattes covered with spicy gravy. Gatte pulao are a festive preparation, where vegetables are replaced by gates. Shahi Gatte (and sometimes known as Govind Gatte), is deep fried besan (chickpea) dumpling that is stuffed with a generous amount of indigenous nuts.
Usually made of curd, the gravy of this dish is thick, delicious and can be enjoyed with a portion of rice or hot rotis.
8. GATTE KI KHICHDI
A favoured rice dish of Rajasthan, Gatte ki Khichdi or Ram Paulo as it is known, is a rice dish whose creation is credited to the scarcity of green leafy vegetables in this desert region.
Gatte ki Khichdi is prepared with spices, green peas, boiled/fried besan dumplings and aromatic rice. These flavours blend into a mouth-watering, flavourful meal that is traditionally served with a chutney or curd on the side.
9. Ker Sangari - Ker-Saangri Ro Saag
Ker Sangari is a dish with its roots in Rajasthan. A wild berry growing in the heart of Thar Desert – Ker, along with dried wild beans of the Khejari tree – Sangari, are put together to curate an authentic piquant yet tangy Rajasthani Sabzi.
It might not be appealing in looks, but I can assure every taste bud in your mouth will be telling a different story. Assorted with local herbs and spices, Ker Saangri Ro Sang can be relished with delicious Bajre ki Roti, topped with melting Makkhan (White Butter) , this bean and berry vegetable is flavourful, tangy and delightful. It is considered to be one of Rajasthan’s most authentic gourmet preparations and is a must at Marwari wedding celebrations.
10. AAM KI LAUNJI
Want something on the side of your Indian dishes other than achars (pickles)? Kachhe Aam ki Laungi is your best bet in that case! This unparalleled combination of sweet and sour Rajasthani chutney/pickle is prepared by cooking marinated raw mangoes in aromatic spices and sugar, to create the perfect sidekick for all your parathas! It can also be savoured with any Indian sabzi, giving the entire meal an extra edge.
11. Kadhi
Kadhi is the most common yet varied Indian preparation. Generally made from besan and pakodis, Rajasthani kadhi is way spicier and mouth-watering. This is the most famous food of Rajasthan.
18. Bajra ki Roti with Lehsun Chutney
Bajra is one of the most popular dishes in Rajasthan consumed by most states in India. The taste of crispy roti goes well with the lehsun and onion chutney. This spicy dish of Rajasthan lets your mouth water to the feeling of garlic cloves and red chilly powder. As the delicious dish slides down your throat, you can feel the aesthetic taste of Rajputana.
NON-VEGETARIAN’S DELICACY:
1. LAL MAAS (RED MEAT)
Lal Maas contains spicy, mouth-watering tanginess of a traditional Rajasthani dish. A red, spicy meat curry that’s straight out of the Royal kitchens of Rajasthan, this dish is prepared using prime portions of mutton that’s marinated in curd and spices.
The dish is a result of the extreme heat and limited access to water that was prevalent in this region. Its unique preparation style serves the purpose of preserving it well after it’s cooked and the spices enhance ones immunity and metabolism. Lal Maas is best relished with chapatis and rice.
2. MOHAN MAAS
A meal perfect for the Maharajas, this is a treat for every non-vegetarian. The meat is cooked with milk and mild spices which makes it tender and juicy. The thick gravy infused with the flavours of khus-khus, lemon and cardamom brings out the lovely flavour of the dish. Mohan maas is a rajwadi version of non-veg delights.
3. SAFED MAAS (WHITE MEAT)
A delicious lamb curry, Safed Maas literally translates into ‘white meat’ and is also known as the Royal Lamb Korma in most Rajasthan homes. The flavour of this dish lies in the perfect amalgamation of spices like onion, ginger, garlic, pepper and cardamom in its creamy white sauce curry.
4. MACHHALI JAISAMANDI
This Rajasthani dish is a flavourful delight that gets your taste buds working overtime. A tender serving of fish is cut and marinated in a green chutney, then further cooked in a savoury, spicy gravy that contains ginger, garlic, coriander and mint leaves.
The dish is enjoyed with a helpful serving of rice and garnished with mint leaves and ginger julienne.
DRINKS
1. Jaljeera
Jaljeera is a tangy drink, unique to the Rajasthani food platter. The mouth-watering chatpata Jaljeera is all you will need to refresh your hunger!
2. Masala-Chhach
Chhach or buttermilk is an inseparable part of Rajasthani food culture. Chhach is a must-have in the dessert climate and extreme weather conditions of the state. Masala Chhach is a tasty drink, usually taken with/after breakfasts and lunches. The drink is also independent of main course and is a boon for sweaty summers.
FOR DESSERT LOVERS:
At the end of the main course having dessert is every
Indian’s desire for complete gratification. So here we are
presenting you some Rajasthani desserts to awaken your
sweet tooth.
- DIL KHUSHAL
Rajasthan is known for its toothsome sweets. This mithai is also popular as Mohanthaal or Besan ki Barfi. It has a nice chewy texture and leaves a grainy flavour in your mouth.
- MAWA KACHOR
A version of kachori, Mawa Kachori is filled with dry fruits and khoya, deep fried and then dipped in sugar syrup. One must indulge in this dessert after lunch/dinner. If you say you don’t have a sweet tooth, we say you haven’t tried this one yet.
- BALUSHAHI
A dish that can easily take doughnut head-on, Balushahi is a traditional Rajasthani sweet dish. A flaky texture on the outside and sugar syrup inside, this is one sweet dish every sweet lover swears by. Balushahi is actually a Rajasthani doughnut and is the main dessert in wedding receptions.
- DOODHIYA KHEECH
Doodhiya Kheech is a famous sweet dish from Rajasthani Food: 24 Rajasthani Delicious Dishes, whose origins can be traced to the old homes of Udaipur. It is similar to Rabdi and tastes best when made on a Sigdi (small angithi) in a degchi (copper utensil). It is generally made during Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan festival in Rajasthan.
- GHEVAR
Ghevar is a very popular filigreed Rajasthani sweet and its roots can be traced back to Jaipur. It is traditionally associated with Teej and Rakshabandhan festival. Primarily made of all-purpose flour and soaked in sugar syrup, it is shaped like a disc. Ghevar exists in different versions such as plain, rabdi and malai.
- JHAJARIY
Jhajhariya is a delicacy made of corn, milk, ghee and sugar garnished with raisins and nuts. Grated or coarsely ground fresh sweet corn is slowly roasted in ghee for few hours until it loses most of its moisture and assumes a dry granular form. Jhajariya is my personally favourite dessert and I can’t resist drooling over it especially during Monsoon because of its yumminess and creamy texture.
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