Craving for a sweet treat? Hop on then! Let me take you on a sugary sweet trip down the sweet shops of Rajasthan ( Diet Nazis beware)
1. Mawa Kachori
The first sweet treat I dug my teeth into in Rajasthan was the Mawa Kachori.
I stood in the historic lanes of the pink city in the cold evening breeze with the heat from the halwai's stove warming my face. I watched as the halwai let in a fresh lot of kachoris to swim in the pool of oil & out came the golden-brown beauties filling the air with a sweet aroma. And as if this wasn't sinful enough, the halwai went ahead & dunked them in chasni, a sweet syrup.
This crispy golden brown kachori just crumbles down as you bite in, oozing into your mouth the warm mawa with bits of dry fruits.
This delectable treat is made from all-purpose flour, ghee, sweetened mawa (evaporated milk solids), almonds, cashews, pistachios & loads of sugar.
Yes, I know, not exactly healthy!
These also come with a covering of silver foil, called varq (my kind of silver lining). Interestingly mawa kachoris are also called 'journey cakes' as they have a longer shelf life & can last you a whole journey. Needless to say, I packed a few.
2. Ghevar
My next dessert was a subtly sweet dish called ghevar. These are disc-shaped with a honeycomb structure. The batter made from all-purpose flour & ghee is dropped into the piping hot oil, garnished with chopped almonds & pistachios & given a final dip in a sweet syrup. There is some controversy behind the origin of the ghevar. Some claim that it came to India from Iran while others say it belongs to the kitchens of Lucknow. However, the sweetmeat shop owner from whom I got this crunchy ghevar swore its allegiance with Rajasthan & I am taking his word.
3. Dilkushar
This moist & chewy sweet is deceptively humble in appearance. But once you pop one into your mouth, your teeth sink right through them & the rich creamy texture is sure to linger. Traditionally it is made from besan (gram flour). They are also made from mawa with a dash of good old desi ghee.
4. Moong Dal Halwa
Who doesn't love a good hot plate of halwa? Walking on the streets of Udaipur, after a bout of street shopping, I sniffed a heavenly aroma & followed its trail to a series of sweet shops with hot kadais (pots) in front of their doors, all cooking delicious moong dal ka halwa. I couldn't stop myself from getting my hands on a plateful. The halwa has a grainy structure with bits of dry fruits adding a crunch. The ghee adds a dash of richness. The flavor is so earthy that it almost connects you to the place. This is one of the classic dishes of Rajasthan.
5. Choorma Ladoo
Now you know whom to thank for those delicious choorma ladoos. Made from whole wheat flour, ghee, semolina, milk & jaggery this is a healthy treat.
6. Chenna Malpua
These delicious treats are made of fresh cottage cheese or paneer. The most beloved sweet of Rajasthan is sure to be a feast for your taste buds. The soft and creamy paneer malpua melts in your mouth & leave you wanting for more. Served with a dollop of rabdi & sprinkle of almond slivers & pistachios, this is happiness served on a plate.
7. Dhoodiya Kheech
Let's end on a healthy note. Dhoodiya Kheech is the winter dessert of Rajasthan. It is a delicious wheat porridge believed to have originated from Udaipur. A homely & healthy dessert made from dehusked wheat, whole milk, sugar & cardamom.
Time to hop off guys! I hope you had a good gastronomical ride. I am leaving below links to the recipes so the inspired chefs among you can bring the delicacies of Rajasthan home.
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