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To the people of India I have met on my travel. Thank you all for all sharing yourselves so generously and welcoming rather intimidating looking stranger with so much warmth and such awesome food.
Indian cuisine dates back over 5000 years. Each region has its own traditions, religions and cultures that influence its food. Indian food has been influenced by Mongolian, Persian and Chinese cuisine, among others. The common thread throughout the centuries remains the distinct mixing of spices that invariably give Indian cuisine its flavor and aroma. Today I will talk about the famous Kashmiri dish which travel to Persia to India with a rich history.
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Food Connection
When I was at Kufri in Himachal Pradesh, one fine night in dinner buffet menu, I found Mutton Rogan Josh. Before that I filled my plate with prawn, chicken, paneer, fish and probably one or two more dishes. But Rogan Josh made me feel like this was it. I did not need anything. I cleared my plate for it by placing all the dishes back to its utensils. Then I took more than a decent amount of Rogan Josh rice and sat in a table alone. I was about to start when a man came and sat in front of me. He was a complete stranger. I looked at the dining hall, it was quite empty. still he chose my table.
He looked at me and said “please don’t bother and enjoy your meal”. I started. He asked again, “how is it?” I said, “the best” and I put another morsel. He laughed. And I felt humiliated. My reaction made him realise that he is an evader in my peace. “I am Amitabh” he said. “Until you are Bachchan too, I have no interest” I said mockingly. he laughed again. “My friend you can’t name it the best, until you taste the best”, Mr. Amitabh said. ” I am telling you all this, because you are a foodie. The way you returned all the dishes for Mutton Rogan Josh, I connected with you. Being a foodie, I know it is prime duty to tell you about Mutton Rogan Josh. My friend you must taste the original Kashmiri Mutton Rogan josh. And you will able to find that when you know the history”.
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Story Of Kashmiriyat
In Kashmir the amalgamation of hindu and Muslim culture gave birth to Kashmiriyat. Kashmiriyat was bred during Zain nanak and Akbar’s time and evolved through the local language art lifestyle and food. Kashmiriyat means people of different religions, different sects are living together amicably as a group. Here Hindu Pandits also celebrate Eid and Muslims wish them on Ram navami and they eat from each other’s utensils at home.There is no strict provision. So this is a beautiful and wonderful thing about Kashmir about Kashmiri culture and Kashmiriyat.
But unfortunately , this secular Kashmiriyat was butchered due to the political games played in the name of religion. And this difficult time Kashmiri pandits who have been expelled from their own land. Without Kashmiri pandits Kashmir remains incomplete. But few Pandits live in kashmir and even today they have kept kashmiri culture alive.
The actual hometown of Kashmiri Pandit is Kashmir valley. Kashmiri Pandits are Brahmins but since they lived in the Kashmir Valley there is a custom of eating meat and fish. And they are the people who make perfect Mutton Rogan Juice.
Mutton Rogan Josh
This mutton dish which kashmiri pandits cook and eat with relish, called ‘Rogan josh’. All Over the country in novice Mughal restaurants you find a substandard version of Rogan Josh containing insipid curry and colors.The real Rogan Josh cooked in the homes of Kashmiri Pandits contain less gravy.
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Rogan Josh arrived in kashmir along with the Mughals around 400 years ago when Jahangir used to come to Kashmir. But Rogan Josh can be traced back to Persia, where Rogan means Ghee (clarified butter) and Josh means cooking on heat. Traditionally the dish is prepared in pure ghee, with the spices fried in fat to stimulate aromas and infuse the fat with the essence before adding other ingredients.
Yogurt is the base for the sauce. It gives a lovely tang with tomatoes while almonds add texture. It also thicken the sauce. Chillies and peppers mild heat are needed to complement the dish. with a die for taste, this dish complements with rice, chapati, paratha, naan. The choice will help you to mop up the rich gravy.
“Food is an emotion. It should not be cheated. Now you know the difference, it depends on you to find yourself the best.” Amitabh left me alone there. I finished that Rogan Josh and still waiting to taste the best.
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