Thepla: Everyday delight
Thepla, a staple in Gujarati households, is a soft, spiced flatbread enjoyed throughout the day. Prepared with whole wheat flour, spices like turmeric
and chili powder, and sometimes fenugreek leaves (methi), thepla offers a delightful flavor and texture. It's often served with yogurt, pickles, or chutney. Its versatility makes it ideal for breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack, making it a beloved part of Gujarati cuisine. Thepla is incredibly easy to pack and carry, making it a popular choice for travelers or those looking for a convenient meal. It is one of those dishes that is enjoyed by people of all ages and is easy to find in many places.
Dhokla: Steamed snack
Dhokla, a steamed snack, showcases the use of fermented batter. It is made from a mixture of rice and split chickpeas (chana dal). This batter is fermented, resulting in a light and spongy texture. Dhokla is often seasoned with a tempering of mustard seeds, green chilies, and curry leaves, which adds a burst of flavor. Served with a sweet and tangy chutney, dhokla is a favorite snack across Gujarat. Its preparation reflects the traditional methods and techniques, embodying the culinary heritage of the state. Dhokla is known for its lightness and subtle flavor profile, making it a popular choice for people of all ages.
Undhiyu: Winter delicacy
Undhiyu is a mixed vegetable dish traditionally prepared in earthen pots, typically during the winter season. Various seasonal vegetables like eggplants, potatoes, beans, and green peas, along with specific spices are cooked underground, giving it a unique smoky flavor. The dish is known for its distinctive blend of flavors and textures. The slow cooking process and the blend of spices result in a rich and complex taste. Undhiyu is a festive dish, often prepared during special occasions, and it is also relished with hot puris. This process of cooking adds to the tradition's significance.
Khandvi: Rolled delight
Khandvi is a savory snack made from a mixture of gram flour (besan) and yogurt, creating a creamy batter. This batter is spread thinly and then rolled, often garnished with mustard seeds, sesame seeds, and coriander leaves. The result is a delicate, bite-sized roll that offers a blend of flavors and textures. Khandvi is a popular choice for snacks and appetizers, showcasing the versatility of Gujarati cooking. Its subtle flavors, combined with the attractive presentation, make it a favorite at social gatherings and festivals.
Dal Dhokli: Comfort food
Dal Dhokli is a hearty and wholesome dish that is a staple comfort food in Gujarati households. It involves a flavorful lentil-based soup (dal) combined with small, wheat flour dumplings (dhokli). The dumplings absorb the flavors of the dal, resulting in a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. This dish is known for its warmth and comforting qualities, making it a favorite meal for any occasion. It is often served with a dollop of ghee, which adds richness to the dish, making it a complete meal. It’s a dish that captures the essence of Gujarati cuisine, emphasizing both taste and nourishment.
Fafda-Jalebi: Iconic combo
Fafda-Jalebi is an iconic combination, especially popular for breakfast, offering a contrast of flavors and textures. Fafda is a crispy, savory snack made from gram flour (besan), shaped into thin strips and deep-fried. Jalebi is a sweet, syrupy dessert, created by deep-frying batter in circular shapes and then soaking them in sugar syrup. The combination of the salty fafda and the sweet jalebi creates a balance of taste that is loved by many. It is a popular snack found in every street corner of Gujarat. The popularity of Fafda-Jalebi goes beyond Gujarat, becoming a favorite throughout India.
Gujarati Kadhi: Creamy soup
Gujarati Kadhi is a flavorful, yogurt-based soup with a slightly tangy taste. It's made with buttermilk or yogurt, gram flour (besan), and a blend of spices. The Kadhi is cooked until it thickens, creating a creamy consistency. It is often garnished with tempering, adding a burst of flavors. Gujarati Kadhi is a light yet filling dish, making it perfect to be paired with rice or khichdi. It is a staple, found in most Gujarati thalis. The dish has a distinctive sourness from the yogurt, which, combined with the spices, creates a unique taste. It is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed during any season.
Handvo: Savory cake
Handvo is a savory cake made with a combination of lentils, rice, and vegetables, which is then baked or cooked in a pan. The batter is often seasoned with spices and sometimes includes grated vegetables like bottle gourd. This dish offers a complete meal with both flavors and textures. Handvo can be served with chutney or yogurt, which complements its flavors. It reflects the adaptability of Gujarati cuisine, incorporating various ingredients to create a wholesome dish. Handvo is often prepared during festive occasions and family gatherings, and is a tasty food that the Gujarati love to eat.
Shrikhand: Sweet treat
Shrikhand is a sweet dessert made from strained yogurt, creating a thick, creamy base. The yogurt is sweetened with sugar and flavored with cardamom and saffron, and often garnished with nuts. The preparation involves hanging the yogurt to drain the whey, resulting in a rich, decadent texture. Shrikhand is a popular dessert during festivals and celebrations, particularly during the festive season. It is a relatively simple yet elegant dessert, representing the sweet side of Gujarati cuisine. It is also often used as an offering during religious ceremonies.
