A Simple Rajasthani Meal

Rajasthan the princely state, known for its fiery, delicious cuisine is a popular tourist spot and is the beautiful land of royal cities such Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Udaipur. It’s been a while, but what I remember of my visit to Rajasthan is the Hawa Mahal – the Palace of the winds. The Hawa Mahal is a huge beautiful palace structure made of pink sand stone with numerous windows and balconies.

Source: MapsofWorld.com

I also remember the innumerable camels in this desert land, camels beautifully adorned with tinkling bells and thick colorfully embroidered runners around their back to serve as a seat for visiting tourists. I remember getting on to the camel’s back a little scared but also remember how comfortable it felt and how easily the camel walked, swaying side to side. I also remember visiting the Amber Fort, the white marbled palace, where the décor, the ornamented walls and the many beautiful mirrors of the palace were stunning beyond words.
See Pavan Gupta’s beautiful, captivating pictures of Amber Fort and colorful Rajasthan here.

And coming back to the reason for this post… Rajasthani Food is unique and fiery in taste. The ever famous Dal Bati – which is spicy lentils and dumplings made of flour served with ghee or clarified butter, and Churma – ground wheat flour cooked with ghee and sugar served with Bajre ki Roti – Roti made of Bajra flour, is the daily staple of Rajasthani’s. Not to mention the gatte ki sabzi and innumerable sweets such as malpua, Balushahi etc. All this and more can usually be eaten in any Rajasthani style restaurant.
But to me a home-cooked simple Rajasthani meal is made of Dal (Cooked Lentils), Chaawal (Rice), Sabji (Curry) and Roti.
While I was growing up, a Rajasthani family lived on the 2nd floor of my maternal home in Bangalore. Prem and Bimal, were a wonderful couple that were very hospitable and very friendly. I literally lived in their house. Prem Bhabiji as I used to call her, was wonderful company. She constantly entertained me with her wonderful stories of Rajasthan and her life there and her wonderful home cooked rajasthani food. Life has just happened and I have lost touch with them. Not sure where they are, but if anyone from the Bansali family is reading this, please get in touch with me. I would love to here from you guys!
Prem Bhabiji used to make this simple home cooked combination all the time, a combination of Roti, Dal, Chaawal, Papad ki Sabzi ( Curry made of Papad or Crepes) and Aloo Matar ki Sabzi (Curry made with Potato and Peas). Everything was usually dabbed with generous amounts of ghee and was always served with a roasted papad on the side.
In her memory, I tried to recreate this combination at home this weekend. I can say that I did pretty darn good as far as taste was concerned! I’m sure she would be proud of me.
Hope you guys enjoy this simple home-cooked Rajasthani meal! And as always if you do try it, let me know, I’ll be thrilled to here from you guys!

A Simple Rajasthani Meal


Clockwise from top:Dal or Spicy Lentils, Papad ki Sabzi, Chaawal or Rice, Roti and Aloo Matar Sabzi.

Tadka Dal (Spicy Lentils seasoned to perfection)


Tadka Dal


Dal Chaawal - Spicy Dal served with Rice

You will need:
1 cup Toor Dal (split Gram Dal)
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
a pinch of Garam Masala Powder
Salt to taste
Chopped Cilantro for Garnishing

For Seasoning:
1 tbsp Ghee or Clarified Butter
1 tsp Cumin seeds or Jeera

Method:
In a pressure cooker, cook the Toor Dal with a pinch of Turmeric and about 4 cups of water. Cook for 3 whistles or until fully done. Allow to cool. When the pressure has cooled off, open the cooker and mash the dal lightly with a ladel. In a small seasoning pan, heat the ghee, add the cumin seeds, a 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and the chilli powder. Add this seasoning to the dal mixture. Add salt and garam masala and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes until well blended. Add about 1/2 cup water if the dal is too thick. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Papad Ki Sabzi (Tangy curry made with papad)

Papad Ki Sabzi


Papad ki Sabzi - One more look

You will need:
2 Papads - Broken in pieces (Prem always used authentic Bikaneri Papad, but I just used Lijjat Pepper Papad - available in most Indian stores)
1 cup Homemade Curds
2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1/2 tsp Dhaniya Powder or Coriander Powder
a pinch of Hing or Asafoetida
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds or Jeera
2 tbsp Ghee or Clarified Butter
Salt to taste

Method:
In a pan, heat the ghee. Add the cumin seeds and all the dry powders except the salt. Then add the homemade curds and mix well. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes on a medium flame. Then add the salt and the broken pieces of papad. Mix well and cook for about 3 more minutes. If you think the curry is to thick add just about 1/4 cup of water and mix well. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with roti.

Aloo Matar Ki Sabzi (Spicy Potato and Peas Curry)

Aloo Matar ki Sabzi


Aloo Matar Sabzi - One more look!

You will need:
4 Potatoes - Peeled and Washed
1 cup Green Peas (Fresh or Frozen is good)
2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Dhaniya Powder
Salt to taste
2 tbsp Ghee or Clarified Butter

Method:
Peel, Wash and Chop the Potatoes into cubes. In a pressure pan or pressure cooker, heat the ghee. Add the cumin seeds, then the green peas. Then add all the dry powders and mix well. Saute for about a minute. Then add the chopped potato cubes. Add salt, about 2 cups of water and mix well. Close with the lid and cook the mixture for about 1 whistle. Allow the pressure to cool. Open the pan, mix well and cook some mroe if needed on a open pan. Garnish with chopped Cilantro and serve hot.

And finally, for the rice, I just cooked Basmati Rice on stovetop seeasoned with 1 tbsp of ghee and cumin seeds and salt. Cook until done and serve hot. I served the Rajasthani meal with a side of sliced onions and green chillies. Eaten traditionally this way, the onions and green chillies add a zest and flavor to the meal!

Onions and Green Chillies on the side


Our simple Rajasthani Meal

Hope you guys enjoyed the simple meal. It was fun sharing some memories and cooking a fast simple Rajasthani meal.