The glorious state of Kashmir is renowned for not just its beauty and tranquility but also for its mind-blowing cuisine. Kashmiri food has a mild taste and is full of flavor because of the high number of spices like cardamom, fennel, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and saffron. Influenced by the Mughals, Kashmiri cuisine is mainly non-vegetarian, with mutton, chicken, or fish used as primary ingredients, but there are also a few vegetarian options. Here are the top 10 dishes from Kashmir that you can definitely try and make at home.
1.Matschgand: meatballs in red gravy
The tantalizing aroma of Kashmiri food could make your taste buds go wild. If you are a fan of meat, you should definitely give Matschgand a try and experience your inner glutton! Matschgand is a dish of meatballs in a piquant red sauce. Minced goat or sheep meat is used to make Matschgand, which is mixed with the usual spices to make meat balls and dunked in a spicy red gravy. It is sure to drive your taste buds into a frenzy!
2. Rogan Josh: a fragrant lamb curry
If you love lamb or meat, then Rogan Josh is a dish you must try. This delicious and fragrant lamb dish is a signature of Kashmiri cuisine and was brought to India by the Mughals. The lamb is cooked in a gravy consisting of browned onions, assorted spices, and yogurt and is a low-fat meal. Serve it with rice or naan, and you won't be able to get enough!
3. Yakhni: yoghurt lamb Curry
If you'd like to sample an original Kashmiri dish, then Yakhni is a must-try. It is made with lamb cooked in a yogurt-based sauce, enhanced with mawal flowers, black and green cardamoms, onion paste, dry mint leaves, and fragrant fennel seeds. To truly savor the deliciousness of this Kashmiri cuisine, enjoy it with rice.
4. Modur Pulao: sweet rice pulao
A Kashmiri delicacy, Modur Pulao, is made with a mixture of rice cooked with spices like cinnamon, saffron, milk, ghee, sugar, cashew nuts, almonds, and green cardamom. Its sweetness, aroma, and health benefits come from saffron, which is a main ingredient and is grown in Kashmir. The flavor of this dish is truly unique, and once you make it at home, everyone will be wanting more.
5. Dum Olav: a version of aloo dum
For those who are vegetarians, Kashmiri cuisine has something special to offer: dum olav or dum aloo. This dish consists of potatoes cooked with yogurt, ginger powder, fennel, and a variety of spices that give it a distinctive taste and scent. This well-known Kashmiri dish is best enjoyed with chapatis or naan.
6. Kashmiri Muji Gaad: a fish and radish dish
During the winter season, the people of Kashmir take pleasure in consuming Muji Gaad, a dish made of fish and radish. This meal is served on special occasions and at special events, making it a popular choice when individuals want to experience genuine Kashmiri cooking. It is a combination of vegetarian and non-vegetarian ingredients, making it an incredibly delectable dish that will certainly leave your taste buds tantalized.
7. Aab Gosh: mutton cooked in milk
Aab Gosh is a typical non-vegetarian delicacy that is well-loved in the Kashmir area. If you have already sampled multiple mutton recipes, you will recognize that there is nothing that can compare to this. Give it a try, and you will immediately be a fan. In this dish, the mutton is cooked with milk and spices to produce a mouthwatering sauce that has a lot of flavors. The tender meat of the dish will definitely make you want more. Aab Gosh is ideal with saffron-infused rice or just plain steamed rice.
8. Lyodur Tschaman: paneer in creamy gravy
Lyodur Tschaman, an often-overlooked dish from Kashmiri cuisine, is quite a staple in Kashmiri homes. If you're a vegetarian who enjoys Kashmiri food, you absolutely must sample this delightful meal. Even hardened carnivores should give it a try. It consists of paneer cooked in a creamy, yellow-hued gravy that is loaded with flavor. Lyodur Tschman pairs most perfectly with naan.
9. Kashmiri Rajma: the traditional rajma dish of Kashmir
If you are searching for additional veggie-based food in the valley, then the Kashmiri rajma is absolutely essential. This gravy is unlike the typical rajma gravy, as the variant of rajma used for this dish is also distinct. Kashmiri rajma goes well with hot rice. A portion of rajma poured over a plate of steamed rice is the ideal lunch or dinner.
10. Haakh: green leafy dish
The Kashmiri Haak or Haakh is a savory, green, leafy vegetable dish. The leaves, which resemble spinach, are cooked with oil, garlic, salt, and a few spices. This is an uncomplicated recipe; however, it is incredibly flavorful and very nutritious. The dish is quite popular in Kashmiri households, so when you are in the area, make sure to give it a try.