Cuisines of Rajasthan

The cuisine that originated in Rajasthan and the surrounding region in India is known as the Rajasthani cuisine. The state of Rajasthan is famed for its rich regal culture and heritage. The arid nature of the region, the extreme climatic conditions, scarcity of water and vegetation has witnessed evolvement of unique cooking styles and food habits of the natives that is noticeably different from other Indian cuisines. The Rajasthanis have moulded their culinary styles in such a way that many of their dishes can be shelved for several days and served without heating. The royal heritage of the region as well as the gastronomic enthusiasm among locals have led to a wide variety of delectable and exquisite Rajasthani dishes starting from main courses to snacks to sweet dishes. Some items like Dal-Baati-Churma and Bikaneri Bhujia have garnered both national and international popularity among foodies.

Bajre ki Roti and Lahsun Ki Chutney
Bajra is one of the top production in Rajasthan and they have made it into a crisp roti paired with a natural onion and Lahsun ki Chutney, a saucy and spicy preparation or garlic and onion. Sometimes, Bajra ki Roti can be also paired with the delicious rich preparation of Mohan Maas or Lal Maas, meat preparations, but the staple Lahsun ki Chutney adds a local twist to the combined dish. It is a favourite among the locals.

Dal-Baati-Churma
Dal-Baati-Churma is a common and delicious platter which is a combination of a spicy Dal, a deep-fried Baati which is made of flaky round breads, salt, milk, a tasty helping of ghee, and a sweet churma cooked in a manner that preserve the different flavours present in the dish and served after dipping it in ghee. The three contrasting tastes compounds into a mouth-watering flavour that bursts in the mouth, once taken in hot. It is a wholesome and healthy meal that has emerged to be a staple food for the Rajasthani population during the winters.

Mohan Maas
Rajasthan has a heritage of royalty and hunting, and there are a number of non-vegetarian dishes that arose out of the land. Among these one of the favourites for the royalty and hunters is the Mohan Maas, a heavy preparation made of meat, generally mutton, with a creamy gravy to be taken with paranthas or rotis. Milk, cream and spices are the main ingredients used to prepare the gravy and pieces of mutton, especially tender in texture, is put into it making it a heavy and delicious meal served hot right into the mouth. It had been a staple preparation for huge occasions but is now gaining popularity across the state.

Bikaneri Bhujia
Finally, Rajasthan is a land that offers different kinds of snacks. Bikaneri Bhujia is a crispy snack which is made out of besan, mixing moth beans and different kinds of spices, these little crispy sticks explode in the mouth with all sorts of flavours. Originating from Bikaner, a town in the western state of Rajasthan, this small packaged delight is a favourite snack among all the Indians across the subcontinent and has even emerged as an international favourite as well. Generally, found in one unique spicy flavour that is traditional to the formula of the dish, the Bikaneri Bhujia is one very special preparation which is the essence of Rajasthani cuisine, easy to stored and easy to serve anywhere anytime.

Panchmel ki Sabzi
It is a very popular, healthy and delectable dish from Rajasthan that derives its name from the combination of five ingredients used to prepare it. This extremely luscious and dry vegetable dish is prepared out of five vegetables seasoned with a mix of aromatic spices and gets its tangy flavour from the use of dried mango powder called amchur. It is best savoured with roti/chapatti and rice.

Khichdi
Whenever we talk of Khichdi, we consider a wholesome and healthy meal made out of rice and different pulses. However, people of Rajasthan have some innovative and nutritious preparations of khichdi that are made using wheat, jowar and bajra in place of rice. Some of the popular ones are Gehun ki Bikaneri Khichdi made of wheat and moong dal that can be enjoyed with ghee, curd and mango pickle; and Bajra khichdi made of bajra (black millet) and yellow moong dal (split yellow gram) and served with either curd or raita.

Gatte ki sabzi
This is an easy to digest and popular curry of Rajasthan made of gram flour balls with the gravy being prepared of buttermilk and different spices. It can be relished with both roti and rice.

Shahi Gatte
Shahi Gatte or Govind Gatte, is a rich and popular dish which consists of a gravy with fried besan dumplings that are stuffed with nuts. It can be savoured both with roti and rice.

Rajasthani Kadhi
Unlike the kadhi preparations of many of the other states like Punjab and Maharashtra, the Rajasthani Kadhi does not contain pakoras or gram flour dumplings. It is a very quick and easy preparation that is made with spiced yogurt based gravy that is thickened with gram flour.

Ghevar
This sweet dish round in shape and made of flour, ghee, paneer and sugar syrup finds place in every Rajasthani occasion. Varied type of Ghevars such as Plain Ghevar, Mava Ghevar and Malai Ghevar can be prepared.