Kashmir-the paradise on Earth is famous not only for its enthralling beauty but also for its aromatic dishes that create lasting memories. This mouth-watering platter of food includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes that are heavily influenced by Pandit recipes from Kashmir and Mughal recipes.
Kashmiri cuisine is known for its aromas and flavors, including flavors such as cardamom, saffron cinnamon, cloves, and fennel.
The use of robust, aromatic spices is one of the many peculiar characteristics of Kashmiri cuisine. With its unique cooking process, ingredients, and flavors, each Kashmiri dish demonstrates its individuality.
Let the list of famous and wonderful Kashmiri dishes entice your taste buds!
1. Gaad Nadur
This Kashmiri dish is rich in color and flavor and is traditionally served on special occasions. Gaad Nadur is fish prepared with lotus stems. The word "Nadur" means lotus in Kashmiri. Vari, a paste made from Kashmiri spices, is often used in its preparation.
This recipe is delightful to prepare and serve at home for dinner parties. The combination of fish with lotus stem, paired with rice, is perfect for a cozy winter dinner.
2. Rogan Josh
The main course of a Kashmiri multi-course meal called Wazwan, rogan josh is a staple of Kashmiri cuisine. Kashmir's cuisine was heavily influenced by Persian influences, which themselves were brought by the Mughals.
The Mughals frequently traveled to Kashmir because of the cooler climate due to its elevation and latitude, due to the unrelenting summer heat of the Indian plains.
The Persian word for oil is Rogan, which means clarified butter; in Hindi, hot means Josh, which is why this dish is based on cooking with an oil-based sauce. Pieces of Goat or Lamb stewed with gravy having tasteful flavors like fennel, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger.
Its fiery red color is imparted by powdered Kashmiri chili peppers, which are more ornamental than spicy. This dish is very flavorful and aromatic, but it's not that spicy despite its appearance. So everyone can enjoy this dish including kids!
3. Kabargah
Kashmiri kabargah refers to the traditional preparation of meat ribs. A special blend of milk and spices is used to cook young lamb or goat ribs, and they are then fried in ghee (clarified butter).
For Kashmiris, every celebration revolves around food. There's no wonder their food is painstakingly slow-cooked with a lot of love and patience. Kabargah is a staple of a Kashmiri celebration meal and is an excellent appetizer for meat lovers.
Kabargah is an art form that has been passed down through generations. Intensely tender, soft, and aromatically spiced on the inside, yet crisp and golden brown on the outside. In Kashmir, kabargah is as much a ritual as a meal.
4. Naat Yakhni
It is a delicious lamb curry made with yogurt, black and green cardamoms, onion paste, and dry mint leaves. Authentic Kashmiri!
This curry is hearty and delicious with an abundance of ghee and mawal flowers. Yakhni Naat is a delicious mutton dish with yogurt gravy that is a delight for anyone who likes mutton.
With a dash of exotic flavors created from unique ingredients such as mawal flowers, Kashmiri spices, mint leaves, and onion gravy, this famous food of Kashmir comes to life. With a juicy gravy that is extremely light on the stomach, this recipe of Kashmir is typically served with steamed rice.
5. Khatte Baingan
Kashmiri feasts and ceremonies usually serve this as a side dish because of its pop flavors. It consists essentially of golden fried aubergines in a spicy, zingy gravy.
This dish does not have too much sauce, nor is it completely dry. By adding more water, or less, to the sauce, you can adjust it to your liking.
6. Yakhni Pulao
Yakhni Pulao is a tasty rice pilaf made with fragrant basmati rice, flavorful vegetable stock, healthy mixed vegetables, and aromatic spices.
This pulao fills up the stomach and heart with lots of flavor and nutrition. Its aroma is so invigorating that one is immediately drawn to it. Rice pilaf or pulao is a one-pot dish. Kashmiri Yakhni Pulao is a different experience than most foodie must-tries.
Yakhni refers to broth (a soup consisting of meat or vegetables cooked in stock) which is made with meat cooked with a host of fragrant whole spices. Chicken is first cooked in a 'spice potli' - spices wrapped in a cloth and dipped in water for cooking - for this Yakhni Pulao.
The result is a stock infused to the hilt with the flavors of the spices. Later the rice is cooked until tender in this stock. Whoa! A nice cozy winter dinner is ready!
7. Paneer Chaman
If meat isn't your thing, we have some cottage cheese. But this is not your regular cottage cheese recipe, it's indeed extraordinary! Kashmiri cuisine is typically associated with meaty delicacies such as Rogan Josh, Yakhni, etc.; however, there are a variety of finger-licking vegetarian delights as well.
Ruangan Chaman or Paneer Chaman are vegetarian delicacies that are as delicious and elegant as meaty curries. Those who love paneer will fall in love with this traditional Kashmiri dish.
This rich cottage cheese is cooked slowly in milk until it turns golden brown, and cardamoms are sprinkled on top. In Kashmiri, Chaman means tomato. This dish stands out for its rich tomato and milk-based gravy flavored with aromatic fennel powder. The paneer is fried first and then cooked in tomato-based gravy only.
These two ingredients come together with spices like fennel powder, garam masala, saunf, ginger powder, bay leaf, and a few more, that gives a very special flavor to the dish and an incredible aroma.
Paneer Chaman goes well with Pulav or steamed rice. It can also be served with tandoori roti or butter naan and pickled onions. Heavenly!
8. Kashmiri Saag
Kashmiri Saag is yet another Kashmiri vegetarian delight. Also called Kashmiri Haak, Karam Saag, or Nadru Yakhni, Kashmiri Saag is as unique in taste as its names suggest.
This popular side dish of Kashmir is easy to prepare and healthy to eat and is one of the most unique inventions of Kashmiri culinary culture. Kashmiri Saag is one of the traditional dishes of Kashmiri Pandits. It is prepared with spinach, cooked in mustard oil, seasoned with cloves, and a few spices. Do not miss it!
So if you are a true foodie don't forget to try these wonderful Kashmiri dishes. As Kashmir is the paradise on Earth, these dishes are a paradise on your plate!
Written by - Arushi Oberoi
Edited by - Harshdeep Kaur
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