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.
Priya Suresh
Wat a feast re, i would love to join u guys for lunch if you serve me this complete platter, delicious dishes and cant take my eyes from that lassi.
Rajani S
Great fare you have here, Pavani..Wish you had clicked the ladoo also 🙂
The Pumpkin Farm
awesome awesome, every thing but i am taking back the pakora recipe right now to my kitchen
vaishali sabnani
the thali looks very well done with all these dishes..some of them are not very common.I dont know where to begin..the chane ka kadhi is made in Gujarat also and so are the ladoos..but I guess being a neighboring state the influence has to be there, loved each and every dish on that thali..very well done.
Nivedhanams Sowmya
oh that chaas bottle is so good!!! so apt and so perfect... delicious spread!!
Varadas Kitchen
Lovely platter. All the dishes look so good. Nicely chosen menu and the kesar malai lassi tops it all.
vaishali sabnani
This is a wonderful spread and I would surely love to indulge into this heavenly spread..a lot of efffort has gone into making this .kudos.
Srivalli
What an excellent spread Pavani...I thought I left a comment, I came by to enjoy the spread again..you have done such an awesome job on making this thali..everything looks so yummy!
Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi
Spell bound , Pavani. What an array of dishes you have presented..GReat job!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
What a lovely spread Pavani! I love each and every dish and this is my kind of lunch 🙂
Nalini's Kitchen
Such a lovely and fabulous feast,everything looks so perfect..Nice choice of dishes.
Usha Rao
Even I made kale channe ki kadhi from Manjula's blog. Lovely spread of dishes. Everything on the thali is delicious. Appreciate the efforts you put in to make this thali.
Archana Potdar
Wow Paavni I dont know where to begin. This is so delicious. Can you please hold one piece each for me. I want to taste them all.
PJ
You have literally cooked up a feast Pavani!Its 11pm and I am starting to feel hungry!
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
I am sure everyone enjoyed this feast thoroughly - the whole platter looks awesome
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
I am sure everyone enjoyed this feast thoroughly - the whole platter looks awesome
Manjula Bharath
omg pavani speechless just an delicious spread there and so happy to your mentions dear 🙂 thanks a lot .. you have made a very tempting thali i even don't know where to start from am seriously feeling hungry .. so very well presented and kudos on the efforts you have taken 🙂
Jayanthi Padmanabhan
oh my.. i guessed that manjula had something to do with your beautiful thali.. wonderful spread.. must have been a real feast
Priya Srinivasan
Looks Awesome pavani, Loving each n every dish here. Must been a great feast!!!
Suma Gandlur
What a fabulous spread you have presented!