AUTHENTIC FOODS OF KASHMIR

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Must-Try Authentic Kashmiri Dishes

When you travel to any place, you have a lot of excitement to try the local cuisines. Places like Jammu and Kashmir have a string of popular cuisines to their credit. If you have plans to travel to Kashmir, you must definitely munch on Kashmiri Dishes.

In general, the traditional food of Jammu and Kashmir has a mild taste. The surprise element is a mix of rich flavours that use hot spices. When you try famous food from Jammu and Kashmir, you will witness the dominant use of red chilli powder, cardamoms, saffron, ginger powder, fennel, cloves, and cinnamon.

Meat eaters can enjoy multiple lip-smacking options with rice prepared for the sides. Vegetarian dishes like vegetable curries also often accompany rice preparations. Let us now look into known Kashmiri cuisine that can make your taste buds dance. Try these on your visit to Kashmir with our Kashmir Tour Packages.

List of Top Traditional Foods of Kashmir

1. Rogan Josh
2. Dum Olav
3. Sheer Chai
4. Tabak Maaz
5. Nadru Yakhni
6. Chaman Olu
7. Kaahwa
8. Muji Gaad

1. Rogan Josh

If you want to try Kashmir food, then Rogan Josh should be at the top of your list. This is essentially a traditional Kashmiri curry, part of the Kashmiri Muslim cuisines. This curry is a delightful combination of red sauce and tender meat.

Rogan Josh is for those who enjoy a strong base of onion, ginger, and garlic. A slow-cooking method is used to help the meat absorb the spices and come out as moist and juicy pieces.

2. Dum Olav

Dum Olav is a famous Kashmiri dish, the primary element of which is baby potatoes. Baby potatoes, when simmered in yoghurt-based gravy, the Kashmiri Dum Olav gets ready for a serving.

Fennel and ginger powder are the hero spices in this dish. What adds to the distinctive taste of Dum Olav is the mustard oil used for cooking it. Dum Olav is also known as Dum Aloo. This is a famous Kashmiri Pandit cuisine. Usually, Dum Aloo is cooked on low heat in an earthenware vessel, adding to its essence.

3. Sheer Chai

The traditional tea from the valley of Kashmir is Sheer Chai, alternatively known as the Noon chai, onion chai, or pink chai. The highlight of this tea is that it is made using green tea leaves.

Along with the green tea leaves, go milk, salt, baking soda, and dry fruits. All this put together makes it a refreshing beverage. Try it once to find out whether you like it or not.

People of Kashmir have this tea at breakfast. This is why it is fondly known as a breakfast tea. You can have this tea with bread.

4. Tabak Maaz

There are bright chances of you going back to remembering mutton chops; the moment you dig into Tabak Maaz. A famous delicacy of Kashmir, this dish is made using the ribs of sheep.

What adds a punch to this cuisine is that it is first steam cooked and then shallow fried in pure ghee. Salt and turmeric are the only additional elements that go in this dish.

In Kashmir, Tabak Maaz is a popular snack.

5. Nadru Yakhni

In the Kashmir valley, the lotus stem is called Nadru. This makes Nadru Yakhni a lotus stem curry. Many of you may not know that the lotus stem is edible. Additionally, it has a plethora of health benefits.

Lotus stem is a rich source of Vitamin C. It also contains essential minerals like zinc, copper, iron, and magnesium. So when you get a chance to try this Kashmiri favorite, do not just consume it for its delectable taste but also the health benefits it brings to the table.

6. Chaman Olu

In Kashmir, Cottage cheese is called Chaman and potatoes Olu, making Chaman Olu a famous cottage cheese and potato curry. This curry and rice are served together.

Some of the main spices used to make this curry are cloves, green cardamoms, and turmeric powder. The specialty of Chaman olu is that it is cooked on a base of milk and fresh curd. The best part about this dish is that it cooks in less than 5 minutes, which means it can easily take care of your hunger pangs.

7. Kaahwa

The Valley of Kashmir is cold and chilly, which calls for a soul-warming beverage. Kashmiri Kaahwa aims to deliver just that. Kaahwa is made out of a mix of green tea leaves, whole spices, and nuts.

However, the highlight of this drink is the saffron content that it contains. The speciality of Kaahwa is that it is prepared in a brass kettle, which the Kashmiris know as a samovar.

8. Muji Gaad

From the valley of Kashmir comes this regional delicacy Muji Gaad, alternatively known as Machhli Mooli.

Muji Gaad is a seafood dish in which fish and radish are cooked together. This dish is prepared during festivals and special occasions. This dish brings the best of vegetarian and non-vegetarian worlds together. The aroma of this cuisine is likely to draw you to it.

Stopping at the first serving is difficult, as the union of fish, lotus stem, hot spices, and herbs will transport you to another world.

FAQs:

1) What is the staple food of people living in Kashmir?

Kashmiris prefer a generous serving of rice. Meat or fish usually accompany rice dishes.

2) What is the highlight of Kashmiri Pandit Dishes?

Kashmiri Pandit cuisines make predominant use of yogurt, turmeric, and asafoetida. They serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

3) How are Kashmiri Muslim cuisines made?

Kashmiri Muslim dishes often make extensive use of eggs and meat. Likewise, there is heavy use of garlic, onions, and tomatoes.

4) What are the famous beverages of Kashmir?

Kashmir is home to several tasty beverages such as Kaahwa, Sheer Chai, Kandh Sharbat, Kesar Doodh, and Kashmiri Lassi.

5) Which are the all-time favorite dishes of Kashmir?

Kashmiri locals love celebrating festivals and special occasions with dishes like Rajma, Dum Oluv, Rogan Josh, Kashmiri Pulav, and Patisa.

6) Is Kashmiri food sweet or spicy?

Kashmiri food is a balance of multiple flavors. Thus, it is safe to say that these cuisines are neither sweet nor spicy.

Do check the SOTC website for offers and deals on Kashmir tour packages to ease your travel.

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