5 Gujarati Dishes For You To Feast On
The Gujaratis have a popular saying, ‘Surat nu jaman ane Kashi nu maran’ – which literally translates into ‘Dining at Surat and dying at Kashi, is the finest path to paradise’. That itself says a lot about the culinary experience that Gujarati cuisine has to offer. While you may not have really travelled to the vibrant state of Gujarat, here are 5 lip-smacking Gujarati dishes that we think you need to dig in to!
Khaman
Let’s start off this delicious list with something familiar - Khaman. A popular breakfast snack that’s easily identifiable with its fluffy and spongy texture, the Khaman is a healthy (yes, its steamed!) snack made with fermented besan flour and tempered with mustard seeds, green chilli and curry leaves. Not to be confused with its white-coloured cousin Dhokla, Khaman is also available in other variations like Nylon, Amiri, Masala and Vati Dal Khaman among others.
I GOAT Your Back – The Amiri Khaman that Saurashtra at Dadar serves with a dash of pomegranate, coconut, sev and of course, chutney.
Undhiyu
A classic Surti Gujarati preparation of vegetables and fenugreek dumplings cooked in an aromatic blend of spices, Undhiyu is a seasonal dish, comprising the ingredients that are available on the South Gujarat coastline during winter. Touted as the hallmark of Gujarati cuisine, this dish made with at least eight different vegetables gets Mumbai queuing up outside restaurants as soon as its winter-time!
I GOAT Your Back – Soam’s ‘Faraali Ooondhiyu’ with yellow and purple Yam served as a part of their special Shravan menu.
Dabeli
Also known as Kutchi Dabeli or Double Roti, Dabeli is an ever-popular street-side snack originating from the Kutch region of Gujarat. Literally translating to ‘pressed’ in Gujarati, Dabeli is made by mixing a special Dabeli masala with boiled potatoes, onions, garlic chutney, meetha chutney, spiced masala peanuts and fruits like pomegranates and grapes, sandwiched between a ladi pav. Take a bite of this mouth-watering ‘Sloppy Joe’ to discover a glorious balance between sweet, sour and spicy.
I GOAT Your Back - Shreeji Corner outside Vallabh Baug Lane in Ghatkopar where apart from juicy Dabeli, you can also sink your teeth into the Ragda and Pav Pattice.
Fafda Jalebi
The custom of eating Fafda Jalebi has on Dussehra mornings is well known. But in Mumbai, we tend to do things a little differently. Weekends are when Fafda Jalebi is relished with the tantalising Papaya Sambhariyo or sour Fafda chutney. The combination of the deep-fried strips of besan flour and crispy Jalebis dunked in saffron sugar syrup is as irresistibly delicious as it sounds.
I GOAT Your Back – Malad’s own M.M. Mithaiwala that has been unofficially crowned as the King of Fafda Jalebis amongst the city’s Gujju community.
Panki
Light on the tummy and heavy on flavours, Panki is, simply put, a thin pancake made out of several varieties of flour mixed with curds and lightly spiced with green chilli and ginger. It gets its name from the word ‘paan’ or leaf and it is steamed between two well-greased banana leaves. A nutritive snack suited for any time of the day, it is a fun experience to eat with its exciting presentation and ambrosial flavours.
I GOAT Your Back – Swati Snacks’ signature Panki Chutney that makes food enthusiasts queue up for hours just to get a taste of the dish served with green chutney and even greener fried chillies.
Image Credits: The Kitchen Cosmos, Mumbai Food Lovers, The Fatty Mumbai, Aditi Gala & Good Food India
