We all know Rajasthan is a state rich in its heritage and culture. The royalty of Rajasthan is not unknown to any of us. People across India and even from abroad travel to Rajasthan just to experience the abundance and richness of its royal culture. This paradise of Rajput’s has very rightly and efficiently preserved its beauty in its heritage. These Rajput’s love their food, the evidence of which is in their preparations. The food here is not just food it is the essence of royalty of the ancient rulers of Rajasthan.
Rajasthani cuisine is considered among those rare cuisines which serve you a plethora of dishes. Some dishes like lehsun ki chutney, Laal maans are tangy and spicy which make you experience the spice, the adventure of the culture while others like ghevar, maava kachori, balushahi are sweet and melty which shows you the love side of the culture. These dishes will give you the exotic experience of earthy, nutty, smoky, tarty and zesty flavour.
Now check out the best of 20 royal Rajasthani dishes.
1. Dal Bati Churma
The signature dish of Rajasthan, Baati comes as a blessing to this arid state as it requires minimum water for its preparation. Baati has a hard crispy layer on the outside and a soft texture inside. Daal is made up of lentils. Churma is sweet, it is made with a bluntly grounded wheat mixture which is crushed and cooked in desi ghee and jaggery or sugar. This dish is generally enjoyed with lehsun ki chutney and pyaaz. When you’re in Rajasthan, give yourself a chance to enjoy this royal, satisfactory and wholesome meal.
2. Gatte Ki Sabzi
The arid climatic conditions of Rajasthan hardly allow using fresh ingredients in the preparation of food. Therefore, this dish is a curry made with gram flour dumplings which are steamed and then lightly fried with a tangy gravy made up of tomato, buttermilk and dry spices. This is served with Roti or Chapati.
3. Rajasthani Laal Maans
Rajasthan doesn’t dominantly serve non-veg food but the state hasn’t completely missed out on it. The most well-known non-veg speciality of Rajasthan is Laal Maans. This beautiful delicacy was traditionally cooked with the meat of wild boar or deer but in today’s era, it is made with marinated spicy mutton curry on a low flame in a fiery sauce of red chillies, garlic paste, onion and curds. This dish is pure bliss for all the non-veg lovers out there.
4. Mawa Kachori
This mouth-watering sweet dish is the specialty of every occasion, it is most famous in Jodhpur. A sweet version of kachori is filled with a delectable mixture of khoya or mawa and dry- fruits and then dipped in chashni (sugar syrup). This delicacy is high in calories but worth devouring!
5. Ghevar
Ghevar is this heavenly traditional Rajasthani sweet relished especially during the famous festival of Teej. Made with refined flour, milk, saffron, sugar, cardamom and desi ghee. It is generally given the shape of a disc that is crispy and at the same time sweet. It is served with the toppings of Rabdi and finely chopped dry fruits.
6. Balushahi
Balushahi is another famous Rajasthani sweet dish that adds to the richness of its culture. In south- India, the same sweet is popularly known as badusha, these are also called Indian doughnuts as they look like it. The outer layer of Balushahi is a bit hard while the inner is soft and slightly flaky. It is cooked with desi ghee, curd, refined flour, then fried in oil and dipped in sugar syrup. This is the type of dessert that you’d want to gobble down your throat.
7. Pyazz Kachori
Pyaaz ki kachori is a famous snack eaten during breakfast. These delicious kachoris are stuffed with potato, onion, spices and then deep-fried in oil. It is served with Imli ki chutney (tamarind paste), curd and onion for the enhancement of taste. This crispy snack gives you a flavour of tanginess and spiciness and is a true elation for your taste buds.
8. Mirchi Bada
Mirchi Bada is a spicy chilli fritter that has a filling of potato, chilli and spices. The stuffing of spiced mashed potato is wrapped around large pieces of chilli which are then coated with the batter of besan (chickpea flour) and deep-fried. These are garnished with tangy imli ki chutney and onion.
9. Ker Sangri
Ker Sangri is a special delicacy made to suit the arid climate of Rajasthan. This traditional dish is made with dried ker berries and sangri beans. Before cooking ker sangri ro saag, berries and beans are soaked in water for a few hours and then cooked along with curd and everyday masalas. It is served with roti or chapati.
10. Bajre Ki Roti
Bajre ki roti is one of the most popular types of Roti which gives you the feeling of the aesthetic taste of Rajputana. It is made of millet flour which has a crispy layer on the outside and a soft texture on the inside. It is served with spicy garlic paste and onion for a better taste.
11. Mohan Maans
Mohan maans is another authentic Rajasthani non-veg dish. As the name suggests, Mohan maans is a rich creamy mutton delight, cooked with a subtle hint of spices to balance out the creaminess of the gravy. Mohan maans is the combination of fiery Laal maans and creamy Safed maans. This maans speaks the royalty without being too heavy or too spicy.
12. Malpua
Malpua is a representation of the royalness of Rajasthan as a dessert. This sweet delicacy looks like pancakes which are made of flour, milk, khoya, dry fruits and then dunked in sugar syrup. This yummy festive delight can be eaten on its own or served with rabdi. Malpua is mainly enjoyed during the festival of Holi, Diwali and Teej.
13. Boondi Raita
This acts as a stabilizer to the wild flavours and spices of Rajasthan. It helps to cool down your throat and help you survive in this desert land. It is a delicious as well as a healthy blend of small fried besan balls called boondi with cool and fresh yoghurt which is garnished with mint leaves and served as a cold side dish.
14. Panchkuta
The sabzi of panchkuta is a quintessential curry of the Rajasthani royalty. As the very name suggests, Panchkuta is a combination of 5 exotic ingredients of Rajasthan which are found widely across the Thar Desert. These 5 ingredients namely are sangria, ker, gunda, kumat and dry red chillies. It is rarely found in any other region except Rajasthan. This staple is taken with roti or chappati.
15. Badam Ka Halwa
To people having a sweet tooth, this is a perfect dessert to devour as it will fill your mouth with the richness of almonds and ghee. This royal dish is cooked with soaked almonds which are grounded and stewed in the fineness of pure desi ghee. The dessert is worth a try not just because it’s yummy but also for its health benefits. And lastly, the garnished dry fruits on the top add to the sweet and melty flavour of the Halwa.
16. Mohan Thaal
Mohan Thaal is an exquisite dessert that would describe the richness of royalty of Rajasthan. This unique dish is cooked by adding love to the besan and dry fruits. The beautiful aroma of it cooked in ghee is a cherry on top! You wouldn’t want to miss out on this delicious melty dessert.
17. Bajra Ki Raab
Raab is a thick broth made from bajre ka atta (millet flour) and buttermilk. This is something like soup but with a taste of Rajasthani royalty. This is generally made in the winter season to keep the body warm and healthy. Boiled rice is also added to the Raab to elevate its taste.
18. Moong Daal Ka Halwa
This mouth-watering royal dessert is equally royal to amaze the taste buds of food connoisseurs. Moong daal ka halwa is the speciality of Rajasthan which is made from moong lentil, ghee, milk and garnished from dry fruits. It requires a lot of time and effort to prepare the dessert but it is all worth it in the end. This Halwa of moong dal is luscious and can be addictive!
19. Masala Chaas
Masala Chaas is the popular yoghurt drink of Rajasthani cuisine. It is the ideal drink for this deserted land, especially during the summers. The taste of this yoghurt drink is intensified by cumin powder and mint powder. And when served in earthen pot or mug this drink gives you the heavenly feeling!
20. Kachri Ki Chutney
The platter of Rajasthani cuisine is incomplete without this chutney, it is a wild cucumber recipe that is spicy and can be served with roti or rice during lunch or dinner.
Now that you know the royal dishes of Rajasthan. What are you waiting for? Go and try these exotic and rich dishes.
