Desert Mix

Having learnt our lesson,we arrived at the all-vegetarian restaurant suitably hungry and with a singular aim to sample the Rajasthani fare being dished out as part of their ongoing food festival. A Rajasthani folk ditty played as we settled down for a meal for two. After the customary tilak and rose water handwash,our shiny steel thali arrived.

Think of Rajasthani cuisine and one thing that comes to mind is the famed dal-baati-churma . It’s part of the menu here as well along with some lesser-tried dishes.

First bowl on the plate was filled up with khasta kachori ki chaat. Quite different than the Punjabi dahi-bhalla chaat version,this one hit the right spot with its sweet and spicy taste. Then came the dal-baati-churma. For those who haven’t tried this before,here’s a preview. The panchmel dal (five types of lentils) with a coarse tadka,is not too thick and is poured over crushed baati (flaky round bread). This is followed with a magnanimous serving of liquified ghee. Crushed baatis with a helping of jaggery and more ghee makes up the churma . The three together make a very filling meal.

But there was more coming our way. The bowls in the thali,nearly eight of them,were then filled up with different dishes like shahi gatta,meethi kadhi,papad ki sabzi,khichdi and jaipuri mewa pulao but the real surprise was the Rajasthani version of sarson ka saag . This saag is more coarsely cut and not overcooked. It was flavoursome,light and teamed with the special khoba roti — a layered but dry and thick roti which is a treat. The best part of Rajasthani food,as we realised,is that it’s light and even mundane dishes like a khichdi stand out with their unique flavours.

If you are looking to treat your tastebuds to newer flavours,then do dunk a portion of the khasta puri,which is served as a part of the thali in the curried shahi gatte ki sabzi . The dumplings made from gram flour are soft and the curry isn’t too spicy either.

The desserts from Rajasthan are equally filling. You can choose from sugar syrup drenched malpua or the sewaiya kheer. Compared to the punjabi kheer,this one is more milky and made with the sewaiyan instead of rice. The sewaiyan are thin and sparse and like the rest of the meal,offer a welcome change indeed. The food festival is on till February 27.

Meal for two: Rs 500,Location: Shop No 15-16,Ground Floor,DLF City Centre Mall,IT Park,Contact: 4010444