Kashmiri Recipes- Just like its picturesque beauty, the food in Kashmir is heavenly. The rich, redolent dishes steeped in traditions have evolved through many generations and are known to be a blend of three different cooking styles - that of Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims and Mughals.
The ultimate ceremonial feast in Kashmir is known as 'Wazwan'and consists of mostly meat-based dishes. The word 'waz' means chef and 'wan' denotes an array of meat curries and other elaborate dishes. It's a princely 36-course banquet, with about 15-34 dishes and is popularly referred to as a 'feast fit for kings'. Lamb meat highlights the menu with some of the popular dishes like Gushtaba, Rogan Josh, Rista, Tabak Maas, Dhaniwal Korma and Marchwangan Korma. (Find these recipes here)
What are the key ingredients used in Kashmiri food
The liberal use of spices like cinnamon, cardamom and cloves adds warmth and comfort to Kashmiri curries. Pungent notes feature in most dishes as Kashmiri's use a lot of mustard oil. Kashmiri food also favours the generous use of desi ghee (clarified butter) which makes their food extremely rich. Curd is used as one of the primary ingredients in curries and as a marinade for kebabs to add depth in the flavours. The fragrance of spices like saffron and saunf sets Kashmiri meals apart. The famous Kashmiri red chillies are less pungent than the regular ones but can liven up any regular dish.
To give you a taste of authentic Kashmiri food, we've hand-picked 11 recipes from our glorious kitchen. These recipes are a beautiful reminder of why we love Kashmiri food so much and will take you on an unforgettable exquisite journey.
1. Mutton Rogan Josh
One of the signature Kashmiri curries, meat is cooked with browned onions, spices and yogurt. The liberal use of Kashmiri red chillies imparts a dramatic red colour to the curry. Rogan josh was originally brought to Kashmir by the Mughals.
Absolutely mouth-watering irresistible mutton dish to relish at a dinner party!
2. Yogurt Lamb Curry
Naat Yakhn or yogurt lamb curry is a comforting yogurt based lamb curry cooked in mawal flowers, black and green cardamoms, onion paste and dry mint leaves. Quintessentially Kashmiri!
Heart lamb dish with the perfect blend of spices.
3. Paneer Chaman
This traditional Kashmiri dish is every paneer lover's dream come true. Rich cottage cheese sprinkled with brown and green cardamom is slowly cooked in milk till it's tender, rich and brown.
A hearty and luscious blend of milk, spices and cottage cheese.
4. Kashmiri Saag
The quintessential winter recipe! All you need is 6 ingredients and 20 minutes to cook up this warm, dish on a chilly winter night. Cooked in mustard oil, kashmiri saag can be paired with makki ki roti.
5. Khatte Baingan
This is usually served as a side dish in Kashmiri feasts and ceremonies for it's pop flavours. It's essentially golden fried aubergines laced in a thick, spicy and zingy gravy.
Kashmiri khatte baingan are a great party dish to prepare.
6. Dum Aloo
A recipe that's easy and extremely satisfying. Golden fried potatoes are mixed with yogurt and aromatic spice to give an amazing red curry.
Delectable potato balls makes for this flavourful vegetarian recipe.
7. Kashmiri Style Mutton Ribs
How do you get the perfect crackling mutton ribs? Cook them in milk and spices, wrap them up in gram flour batter and fry them till they turn golden.
Tabakh maaz is an authentic kashmiri ribs curry that is great for a dinner party.
8. Haak
Haak leaves are green in colour and look a lot like spinach. Cook them for 30 minutes with mustard oil and spices for a healthy, filling meal.
Haak is a perfect kashmiri saag recipe.
9. Nadroo Yakhni
Yakhni is a popular yogurt based Kashmiri curry and this version is made with crunchy lotus stem. It's infused with cardamom ginger, bay leaves and balanced out with rich curd.
10. Chicken Pulao
Kashmiri Chicken Pulao is a dish bursting with rich flavors of whole spices, Kashmiri chillies and desi ghee. A delicious rice dish brimming with juicy pieces of chicken along with an aroma which will instantly flatter your taste buds!
Serve Kashmiri Chicken Pulao with a bowl of Mirchi Salan or a Raita .
11. Kashmiri Rajma
Rajma or kidney beans is a hugely popular dish to prepare in North Indian homes and paired with cooked rice. This rajma recipe is full of flavour and chilllies that make this a perfect lunch or dinner meal.
Delicious and flavourful Rajma to prepare for lunch along with rice.Prepare these delicious Kashmiri dishes at hoe and let us know your favourite one in the comments section below.