Much like Rajasthan itself, Rajasthani cuisine is colourful, unique, and most of all, rich. Usually featuring lots of milk, local spices, and clarified butter (ghee), it is sure to satisfy any craving. From vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to sweet and savory delicacies, there is something for everyone. Here are some dishes from Rajasthan, you absolutely cannot miss:
1. Dal Bati Churma
One of the most iconic dishes of Rajasthan, it is made with whole wheat flour fashioned into dumplings that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside (bati), which are had with spicy lentils (dal). The meal is finished off with crushed bati doused in ghee and mixed with sugar or jaggery (churma)
2. Ghevar
Ghevar is a blend of flour, ghee, and milk, and soaked in sugar syrup. Fashioned into a disc, it is garnished with almonds, pistachios, and saffron. There are numerous variants, such as the Malai Ghevar or the Mava Ghevar.
3. Gatte Ki Sabzi
Another traditional delicacy, this is made with fried or steamed gram flour (besan) balls cooked in a curd based gravy resulting in a delicious tangy flavour. It is eaten with rotis.
4. Doodhiya Kheech
A decadent yet subtle wheat and milk pudding topped with saffron, sugar, dried fruits, and nuts, Doodhiya Kheech originated in Udaipur.
5. Laal Maas
Essentially a meat curry in red gravy, it is made an array of spices, including red chillies which give it a rich colour and fiery taste, in a yoghurt-based sauce.
6. Kalakand
These soft fudgy square of sweetened milk and paneer are topped with saffron and nuts. The dish originated in Alwar, one of the oldest kingdoms of Rajasthan.
7. Safed Maas
This meat curry is cooked in a white gravy made from cream, milk, curd and cashew paste. It is mildly spiced and garnished with dried fruits.
8. Moong Dal Halwa
Soaked moong dal (split green gram skinless) and besan (gram flour) are simmered in milk, saffron, and cardamom, and then fried in ghee and sugar. This comforting dessert is then topped with nuts and dried fruits.
9. Ker Sangri
A kind of pickle, it is made with Ker (a wildberry) and Sangri (the dried beans of the Khejri tree) which are stir-fried with spices. It should be savoured with bajra ((millet) roti.
10. Chenna Malpua
Made from a batter of cornflour, paneer, nutmeg powder, saffron, sugar, and ghee, this ridiculously sweet pancake is then deep fried and soaked in sugary syrup. It is served with rabri (thickened sweetened milk) and is one of the most delicious dishes from Rajasthan.
11. Kachori
Kachoris can be found everywhere in India, and those in Rajasthan are some of the best. Made both sweet (mawa kachori) and savoury (pyaaz kachori), it will truly keep you coming back for more.
12. Imarti
Similar to the jalebi, this flower-shaped deep-fried dessert is made with black gram flour soaked in sugar syrup. The colour comes from saffron. It is also called Jahangir and Jhangiri.
13. Kadhi
India has numerous versions of this chickpea flour based gravy, and Rajasthan’s take on it is a spicy and tangy yoghurt-based sauce with fried gram flour dumplings (besan pakoras).
