Cuisines of Rajasthan
Like every region of India, Rajasthan also has its own specialities when it comes to food. Indeed, food buffs can look forward to a great time as they travel to Rajasthan. Right from the stately kitchens of the erstwhile royals to the kitchens of the common people, food has always been a serious business in Rajasthan. No wonder, there are many delightful cuisines of Rajasthan to choose from as you sit down to enjoy a perfect Rajasthani meal.
Cooking in Rajasthan was earlier influenced by the war-like lifestyle of its people along with the availability of cooking ingredients in the region. Therefore, the people of Rajasthan always preferred food that could last for several days and needed lesser amount of water while being cooked. So it was but natural that the use of milk, butter milk and clarified butter was quite high. This trend somewhat continues even today, especially in the desert belt of Rajasthan.
Speaking of the cuisines of Rajasthan, it must be mentioned that they have a distinct flavor that sets them apart from the rest. In fact, it is common to hear tales of how cooks in the royal era used to impress guests by presenting before them some of the most unusual dishes. Recipes were closely guarded affairs. Though some of them were passed on to the next generation, others were lost forever.
Dried lentils, beans and gram flour are some of the most common ingredients used to prepare Rajasthani delicacies. Every region of Rajasthan has a different speciality to speak of when it comes to food. Some examples include the Mishri Mawa of Jaipur, Malpuas of Pushkar, Ladoos of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer and so on. Dishes like dal bati churma, rabdi, khata, gatta ki sabzi and pakodi are some of the common dishes in Rajasthan. The Rajasthani people also love chutneys prepared from a variety of locally available spices.
Contrary to popular belief, Rajasthan also has a variety of non-vegetarian dishes to speak of. So whatever be your preference, your taste buds can surely look forward to a sumptuous treat during a trip to the magical state of Rajasthan in India.
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