Gujarat is a treasure trove of culinary delights that go beyond the usual Gujarati thali and khakhra. The state boasts a unique and varied gastronomy that showcases its lively and colorful heritage.
Whether you are in bustling cities or the serene countryside, you will encounter heart-filling and drool-worthy dishes that will make your taste buds sing.
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In this article, you will get to know about the following Gujarati dishes,
Let’s see each of these exquisite cuisines that you can savor in any part of this amazing state.
1. Handvo
This is a delectable cake that is baked to a soft and airy texture. It is a traditional dish and an essential part of Gujarati cuisine. Handvo is made of wheat flour, sesame seeds, and lentils.
The filling is made with a bottled gourd or other vegetables, along with crushed peanuts for a crunchy contrast. The batter is prepared by blending rice and various lentils with yogurt and letting it ferment for a tangy flavor.
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The spices are added to the batter and then it is either steamed or baked until golden. It becomes crisp on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. This dish is a delightful snack that can be enjoyed any time of the day with a hot drink and green chutney for a refreshing dip.
You can use any lentil and vegetable combination for this dish to suit your taste. It is a popular dish in every Gujarati home and is also widely available in many food outlets.
2. Khandvi
Khandi is a scrumptious dish that is popular in Gujarat and Maharashtra. It is very tricky to prepare but rewards you with heavenly bites.
This is a soft and savory snack that has a bright yellow color and is shaped into bite-sized pieces by rolling it tightly. The dish is made with gram flour and yogurt, seasoned with salt, ginger paste, turmeric, and green chilis for a spicy kick.
The batter is cooked until thick and smooth and then spread thinly on a flat surface and rolled up. It is then garnished with condiments and spices for extra flavor and served with ketchup or chutney.
It is a beloved dish among the locals and a must-try when you visit Gujarat. The dish is light and satisfying and ideal for breakfast or as an evening snack.
3. Fafda Jalebi
Fafda Jalebi is a mouthwatering dish that combines two contrasting flavors: sweet and savory. It is a popular snack in Gujarat, especially during the festival of Dussehra. According to legend, eating a dish made of gram flour after fasting for nine days of Navratri is beneficial. Jalebi is also said to be Lord Ram’s favorite sweet, so Fafda Jalebi is a perfect way to celebrate his victory over evil.
Fafda is a crispy and spicy snack made of besan (gram flour), ajwain (carom seeds), salt, oil, and Papad Khar. All are combined well and made into a dough with sufficient water. It is then shaped into long strips and deep-fried until golden. Jalebi is a soft and tangy-sweet made of maida flour, sugar, and saffron. The batter is piped into spiral shapes and fried in oil, then soaked in sugar syrup.
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Fafda Jalebi is served with fried green chilies, chutney, and Sambharo (a spicy shredded vegetable salad made of carrots or papaya). This dish is loved by all Gujaratis and can be found on every street corner within the state. It is a treat for your taste buds that you can enjoy anytime you Gujarat. Don’t miss this classic combination of sweet and savory!
4. Mohanthal
Mohanthal is a traditional Gujarati sweet that has a divine origin. The name means a sacred offering to Lord Krishna, who is also known as Mohan.
This rich and creamy dessert is made with besan, sugar, and ghee, cooked to a fudgy consistency. It is flavored with cardamom, saffron, and nuts, giving it a fragrant and nutty taste. It is then cut into square pieces and garnished with pistachios and almonds.
Mohanthal is a festive delight that is enjoyed on occasions like Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, or as a regular indulgence. You can find this mouthwatering confectionery in any sweet shop in Gujarat and treat yourself to a heavenly bite.
Don’t forget to buy some for your friends and family as a souvenir. They will be delighted by this exquisite sweet.
5. Murghanu Shaak
If you think that Gujarat is a state where only vegetarians can find good food, you are in for a surprise. This delicacy will challenge your assumptions, make you lick your fingers, and make you crave more.
To prepare this dish, the chicken is marinated with yogurt, spices, and oil to make it tender and infused with flavor. Then it is cooked in a fiery gravy of ginger, onion, garlic, and chillis that will make your mouth water. Potatoes are added to make the dish more filling and delicious.
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This one-pot dish has a harmony of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy flavors that will excite your palate. Savor the tender chicken and the thick gravy in this Gujarati-style chicken curry. You can relish it in Gujarat or at home, but you will be impressed by its taste either way.
6. Khaman
Khaman is a soft and savory snack that will charm you with its fluffy texture and delectable flavors. It is a signature dish of Gujarat that you should not skip.
The yellow snack is prepared from chickpea flour and freshly ground lentils and mixed with turmeric, salt, and baking powder. The batter is then steamed/boiled in water to make a spongy cake that is moist and airy. The appetizing snack is then cut into bite-sized pieces and sprinkled with chopped coriander, mustard seeds, chopped onions, and Sev.
You can find this snack wrapped in newspaper at almost every food stall in Gujarat, where it is served hot and fresh. You can relish it with tangy and spicy chutneys and chopped green chilis that add more flavor and zing. The warm and yummy Khaman is a must-try when you are in Gujarat.
7. Doodhpak
Doodh Pak is a famous form of rice pudding in this region that has a milky and smooth texture. The traditional sweet dish can be eaten with pooris for a sweet and savory amalgamation of flavors.
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The luscious dessert is made with milk that is simmered for a long time and then blended with rice and ghee until cooked to perfection. Nuts and spices are then added to give them a rich and nutty flavor and aroma. Saffron is added for more color and flavor and the final result is Doodhpak, which is decorated with more dry fruits.
It is usually relished on festivals and special occasions but you can make and savor it anytime you crave a sweet treat.
8. Ghughra
Ghughra is a delicious dish that has many other regional names like Gujia, Karanji, Somas, etc. The dish has a long history that goes back to the 13th century when a sweet mixture of honey and jaggery was wrapped in wheat flour and then dried in the sun. It is similar to a dumpling dessert that has survived in the past. This dish looks like Empanadas and has a beautiful half-moon shape that is sealed with a fork.
A filling is made by combining grated coconuts, khoa, a little suji or semolina, and dry fruits that are roasted to enhance the flavors and aromas. The wheat flour is then kneaded into a soft and smooth dough and cut into small balls. It is then rolled out into thin circles and the filling is spooned inside. After that, it is fried in hot oil until golden brown and then enjoyed while still piping hot.
The soft mushy inside and the crisp and crunchy outside make it a perfect snack to satisfy your hunger and sweet tooth.
These are some famous Gujarati dishes that you must try.
So, all the foodies out there, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the delicacies of Gujarat, the western state of India.
Stroll through the streets and immerse yourself in the food world. The place will not disappoint you in any way. Enjoy every flavor and aroma you come across and hunger for more.
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