One of the largest states in the country in terms of size, Rajasthan also offers a huge platter for us to gorge on. Beyond the sandy deserts of Jaisalmer and the royal architecture of the Maharajas of Jaipur and Jodhpur, there exists a rich and robust feast in the kitchens of Rajasthani households. My recent trip to Udaipur was a marvelous treat to the taste buds wherein I devoured dal baat churma, gatte ki subzi and ghevar to my heart’s content. On the last day, we dined at a traditional Rajasthani restaurant for lunch and since then, I haven’t been able to forget the taste of that laal maas.
I was reminded of the good times in Rajasthan when Kim Sharma took to her Instagram stories to share glimpses of her Valentine’s Day treat. Vacationing at the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, the Mohabbatein actor was seen enjoying her time with her long-time boyfriend and leading tennis player, Leander Paes. The two had a ball during their stay in Jaipur but what caught our eye was the authentic Rajasthani platter that the two relished on Valentine’s Day. Here’s what they were having.
The huge thali consisted of dal baati churma, missi roti and loads of vegetables and curries surrounding it. She captioned the story saying, “Just the most spectacular love lunch @rambaghpalace. He knows the way to my heart is through my belly @leanderpaes”. With so much love and PDA doing the rounds on social media in the last few days, this foodie actor’s meal just won our hearts.
Can’t wait to travel to Rajasthan too? Fret not, you can cook up some of their delicacies at home too.
1. Laal Maas
This fiery mutton curry is a classic dish from Rajasthani cuisine. The vibrant red colour comes from the special red chillies and the fiery taste of the dish is due to the use of whole spices. The tender meat is dunked in a rich and thick curry and usually savoured with rice or roti.
2. Dal Baati Churma
Yet another quintessential Rajasthani dish, dal baati churma is a treat to the taste buds. The thick and hard balls called baati are eaten with a moong-masoor dal and a sweet and crunchy churma is placed beside it. This ghee-oozing dish totally spells indulgence.
3. Mawa Malpua
This sugary treat is nothing short of heaven on earth. The crunchy and crispy outer layer is dipped in sugar syrup and garnished with chopped nuts. This khoya dessert is a famous sweet of Rajasthan.