Blogging Marathon# 39 - Indian States: Day 24
State: Rajasthan
Dish: Rajasthani Lunch Thali
Today we are going to the 'Land of Kings or Land of Kingdoms', Rajasthan, previously known as Rajputana. It is India's largest state by area and is located on the north western side of India. The main geographic features of Rajasthan are the Thar desert and the Aravalli Range. The northwestern region of Rajasthan is generally sandy and dry because of the Thar desert. The Aravalli range and the lands east and southeast of the range are generally more fertile and better watered.
When I think of Rajasthan, I think of the beautiful forts, palaces, colorful outfits and the colorful outfits. Like the many states I mentioned, my dad went to Rajasthan too for work years ago and brought us back lot of beautiful dress materials (for salwar kameez) and bed sheets. I still have a couple of dresses that I don't wear often, but kept them for the memories and colors -- the one you see in the background is from way back when 🙂
Cuisine: Rajasthani cuisine is very rich much like its culture. It is a splendid array of colorful, spicy and unique dishes. The Rajasthani platter is a gastronomic delight and if you have been to a Rajasthani restaurant you will know the amount of food they serve and the number of dishes/ courses they have -- that is one belt bursting feast indeed.
Rajasthani cooking is influenced by the availability of ingredients in this arid region and the lifestyle of its inhabitants. Food that lasts for several days and that can be eaten without heating is preferred. Scarcity of water and green vegetables have all had their effects on the cooking.
Rajasthani cooking is influenced by the availability of ingredients in this arid region and the lifestyle of its inhabitants. Food that lasts for several days and that can be eaten without heating is preferred. Scarcity of water and green vegetables have all had their effects on the cooking.
Today's Dish(es): I have tried quite a few Rajasthani dishes and posted them here. So for today, I made this Rajasthani thali one weekend and invited my sister and BIL for lunch. This was definitely a feast for us with all the different dishes. All thanks to Manjula the details on how and what to make for Rajasthanithalis.
I tried to keep the thali simple with dishes that can be made in less time. But I got overwhelmed when I had to take the pictures. There were so many dishes that I kept forgetting what I had made and finally realized that I completely forgot about Goond ki laddoo until after taking pictures and eating everything 🙁 Well anyway, we enjoyed the lunch thoroughly and had to take a long afternoon nap.
I'm doing the recipes in 3 posts because I didn't want to overload one post with too many recipes. I'm posting the appetizer, bread, rice accompaniment and drinks recipes here. Hop over here (Rajasthani curries) and here (Goond ki Laddoo) for rest of the recipes.
This was our vegetarian Rajasthani Lunch thali menu:
Appetizer -- Dal Pakoda
Breads -- Missi Roti & Tawa pudi
Rice & accompaniments to go with rice -- White rice with Kale Chana ki Kadhi
Curries: Panchmel Subzi, Subz Jaipuri, Dhana wadi/ Mung wadi cilantro curry
Sweets or Desserts: Goond ki Ladoo
Drinks: Chaas and Kesar Malai Lassi
Rajasthani Dal Pakoda: Recipe from Priya's blog.
Tawa Pudi: Recipe from Manjula's Rajasthani Festive Platter.
This roti uses the same dough that is used for pooris. Only difference is in the rolling out of the rotis, they are rolled out into a square shape instead of a round.
Recipe from Manjula's Rajasthani Festive Platter.
ecipe from Manjula's Rajasthani Festive Platter.
Recipe from Manjula's Rajasthani Thali:
Lets check out what my fellow marathoners have cooked today for BM# 39.
Shobana Vijay
Awesome post dear and Fabulous feast
surbhi sharma
woww...what a nice platting its look so delicious. i love rajasthani food specially rajasthani thali. it looks soo yummiiii!!!!virasat restaurent is located in jaipur which also represent the rajasthani culture and rajasthani food with special thali system. virasat restaurant is best resturant and represent the royal rajasthan.
Maliya Jain
Thank you very much Admin, You have learnt us to make many Rajasthani dishes and I will try myself. I am very glad to real you post because I have increased my knowledge. I appreciate your work andf keep it continue,.
Rahul Roy
Nice sharing, I was searching a post like this because I want to see some recipee and make itself, it is very helpful for me. Thank you so much admin and keep it continue...