Top Kashmiri recipes 2024

If we say Kashmir is an abode in heaven, it wouldn't be an exaggeration. The lush green landscapes that are snow-capped during winters, speak volumes about the historical trails of the Valley. Invasion and settlement of various travellers from Central Asia and Persia have led to a huge influence on the culture and palates of Kashmiris. Did you know that Timur brought several skilled migrants with him to the Kashmir Valley in the 15th century and their successors are the Wazas of Kashmir today? 

Popular Kashmiri Recipes 

High on flavours and spices, the Kashmiri cuisine is a perfect blend of a wide array of ingredients. Some of the most commonly used spices include fennel, cinnamon, cardamom and saffron. The strong flavours infused in Kashmiri dishes adds to the specialty of the cuisine. A largely meat-intensive cuisine, you will not find a dearth of meaty curries and dishes in the Kashmiri fare. Rogan Josh and Yakhni seem to be some of the well-known dishes of the region. Th former is a vibrant red curry where lamb is cooked with spices and loads of onions. The latter is a creamy curry made from yoghurt or curd.

Kashmiri Recipes For Breakfast 

Tea is an intrinsic part of Kashmiri cuisine. Interestingly, the tradition of drinking tea has been borrowed from Chinese settlers and continues to be a practice ever since. Kahwa and noon chai are two of the most popular teas from the Valley. While one is a sweet, saffron-flavoured tea, the other is a pink-coloured salty tea that is often drunk during the day which gives it its name i.e. noon chai. Breads are another important facet of their cuisine. Girda, Barkarkhani and plenty of other breads are tossed up during breakfast, to be eaten with chai. Girda is a tandoori bread which is topped with melted butter or jam and loaded with nuts. 

Kashmiri Recipes For Lunch 

Rice is a staple grain in the Kashmir Valley. Most curries are usually paired with rice for lunch. Meaty stews or creamy yakhnis form a part of the lunch menu. Mutton is the preferred meat in the region, although there are plenty of chicken dishes too. Influenced by the Mughals, you would find a host of rich gravies like Shab Deg, Neni Qaliya, Harissa etc. 

Kashmiri Recipes For Dinner

Like mentioned earlier, tandoori breads and rice are a central source of carbs for Kashmiris. They dip them into delicious meaty curries but there are certain vegetarian specialities too like the Nadru Yakhni. It is made from the stem of the lotus flower and the dish is creamy and smooth. Fresh water fish is often eaten during dinner like the faer'ie smoked fish or the tomato-curry based Gaad T'Tamatar. 

Health Benefits Of Kashmiri Cuisine 

The most important benefit of Kashmiri cuisine is the fact that most people consume natural, local produce. Be it the goat meat or fish or vegetables like nadru, each of them is fresh. The drinks like Kahwa come with plenty of benefits apart from keeping the body warm as do the thick and robust curries which provide energy and strength to the body to bear the harsh weather.