Kashmir is the perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Not just that. It is a haven for food lovers. You may have taken a Delhi to Jammu flight to spend a week in one of the most picturesque destinations in the world. But when you're tired from a long trek, a day of sightseeing, or hours of adrenaline-pumping adventure sports, it's time for a scrumptious meal. A blend of spices and meats makes the delicacies of Kashmir finger-licking and lip-smacking good. So here are some dishes that must be on your list from the moment you book flight tickets from Delhi to Jammu.
1. Rogan Josh
Rogan Josh is one of the hot favourites among Kashmiri dishes. Tender pieces of lamb melt in your mouth, while the thick gravy is a delightful treat for your tastebuds. The meat is cooked for hours with ginger, garlic, and various spices like bay leaves, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. Some versions of this dish are cooked with yogurt, which makes the meat even more tender. This flavourful dish goes well with rice, naan, and tandoori roti.
2. Yakhni Lamb Curry
This is another native Kashmiri dish that is cooked with yogurt, mawal flowers, onion paste, and mint leaves. A generous amount of both black and green cardamom is added while preparing the dish. Compared to rogan josh, the yakhni lamb curry has a subtle flavour. The aroma fills the air and makes your mouth water instantly.
3. Goshtaba
This dish is generally eaten towards the end of the meal since it is made with a generous amount of yogurt. The dish consists of meatballs that have been pounded for hours to give it a soft, smooth, and consistent texture. The meat begins cooking with the heat generated from the pounding. Fennel, cumin, and cinnamon powder are added to the meatball to give it a royal and distinct flavour. The meatballs and then added to a yogurt-based curry, which is packed with numerous flavours. You can savour this dish with steamed rice.
4. Aab Gosh
This is another savoury dish that is a favourite among Kashmiris and tourists alike. This mutton curry is cooked in milk with a lot of mild spices. It can be made with both bones and boneless pieces of mutton. The most distinct flavours in this dish are onion, black peppercorn, and ghee. It goes well with saffron rice.
5. Shab Deg
Shab means night and Deg means a large vessel. As the name suggests, this dish is cooked overnight in a large vessel so that the meat becomes tender and soaks in the flavour of spices. The meat is cooked with turnips and several spices. The vessel is sealed so that the flavours don’t escape. Kashmiris often make this dish when there are large family get-togethers. This is a great choice of delicacies to carry back on your Jammu to Delhi flight and treat your loved ones.
Apart from these meaty dishes, you can order dum olav, modur pulao, and muji gaad. There are so many dishes that you’ll be spoilt for choice.
