5 must-try vegetarian dishes from Gujarat

5 must-try vegetarian dishes from Gujarat

Gujarati cuisine is one of the most underrated and diverse cuisines in India. From the street food to the high-end restaurants, there's something for everyone who loves good food. The curries are fragrant and heavily spiced, while the flatbreads are soft and chewy. There are also plenty of desserts to choose from, ranging from sweetened milk to sinful halwa. So what makes Gujarati cuisine so unique? Let's find out!

What is Gujarati cuisine and what makes it unique

Gujarati cuisine is one of the most underrated and diverse cuisines in India. From the street food to the high-end restaurants, there's something for everyone who loves good food. The curries are fragrant and heavily spiced, while the flatbreads are soft and chewy. There are also plenty of desserts to choose from, ranging from sweetened milk to sinful halwa. So what makes Gujarati cuisine so unique? Let's find out!

Gujarati cuisine is unique because of its heavy use of spices. The curries are fragrant and flavorful, while the flatbreads are soft and chewy. There are also plenty of desserts to choose from, ranging from sweetened milk to sinful halwa. So if you're looking for a delicious and unique culinary experience, be sure to try Gujarati cuisine!

Thepla, a pile of Fenugreek (methi bhaji) rotli on plate, top thepla folded
Undhiyu, a Gujarati dish made of vegetables, traditionally done in an clay pot in the earth Gujarati Sev Khamni Samosa
  1. Dhokla is a popular Gujarati dish made from fermented chickpea flour and rice. It's served as a snack or appetizer, and is usually garnished with mustard seeds, green chilies, and cilantro. Dhokla is a healthy and delicious dish that you definitely need to try!2. Khandvi Khandvi is another popular Gujarati dish made from chickpea flour and yogurt. The dough is rolled into thin strips and then steamed.
  2. Khandvi is usually served with a chutney or sauce, and is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy Indian cuisine.3. Samosa Samosas are one of the most popular Indian snacks, and for good reason! They're delicious, savory, and perfect for any occasion. The pastry is stuffed with potatoes, peas, and other spices, making them the perfect appetizer or snack.4.
  3. Dal is a traditional Indian dish made from lentils. It's often served as a main course, and can be prepared in many different ways. Dal is a healthy and hearty dish that's perfect for anyone looking for a satisfying meal.5. Pulao Pulao is a classic Indian dish made from rice and vegetables. It's simple to prepare, but tastes amazing! Pulao is perfect for anyone who wants a flavorful and satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
  4. Bhaji is a simple but delicious Indian dish made from vegetables. It's perfect for anyone who wants a quick and healthy meal, and can be prepared in many different ways. Bhaji is a great way to enjoy Indian cuisine without spending too much time in the kitchen.
  5. Channa masala Channa masala is a classic Indian dish made from chickpeas. It's flavorful and hearty, and perfect for anyone looking for a satisfying meal. Channa masala is easy to prepare, and can be enjoyed with rice or naan bread.

If you're looking to try some delicious Gujarati dishes, but don't want to go out to a restaurant, never fear! You can easily prepare many of these dishes at home. Here are a few recipes to get you started:

Dhokla Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup chickpea flour

1/2 cup water

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 cup yogurt

1/4 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. sugar

salt to taste

oil for frying

For the tempering:

1 tsp. mustard seeds

1/4 tsp. cumin seeds

1 green chili, sliced

2 tsps. chopped cilantro

Method

To make the dhokla batter, mix the chickpea flour, water, and baking soda together in a bowl and set aside for 10 minutes. In another bowl, mix together the yogurt, turmeric, sugar, and salt. Add this mixture to the chickpea batter and mix well. Heat oil in a kadhai or pan and pour in the batter. Fry on both sides until golden brown. For the tempering, heat oil in a small pan and add the mustard seeds. When they start to pop, add the cumin seeds and green chili and fry for a few seconds. Pour this tempering over the dhokla and garnish with chopped cilantro before serving. Enjoy!

Khandvi Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup chickpea flour

1/2 cup water

3/4 cup yoghurt

salt to taste

green chilies to taste (optional) cilantro for garnish (optional)

Method:

To make the khandvi dough, mix together the chickpea flour, water, and yogurt in a bowl until smooth. Season with salt and green chilies, if desired. Set aside for 30 minutes to let the dough thicken. Grease a flat surface with oil and spread the dough onto it with a wet spoon or spatula. Roll into a thin sheet and cut into strips about 2 inches wide. Steam for 10-15 minutes until cooked through. Serve with a chutney or sauce of your choice, and garnish with chopped cilantro if desired. Enjoy! 

Gujarati Dal Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup toor dal

1/2 tsp. turmeric

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 inch ginger, minced

1 green chili, sliced

1 tomato, chopped

1 tsp. cumin seeds

salt to taste

Method:

In a pressure cooker, combine the toor dal with 1 and 1/2 cups of water and turmeric. Pressure cook for 4 whistles. In a pan, heat oil and add the cumin seeds. When they start to pop, add the onion, garlic, ginger, and green chili and fry until the onions are softened. Add the tomato and fry until it's soft. Add this mixture to the cooked dal and stir well. Season with salt and serve hot with rice or naan bread. Enjoy!

Plate of Corn Bhajees, Deep fried Indian snack, oil, dirty wok, garlic bulb, chopped fenugreek, mixture in the background 

Bhaji Recipe

Ingredients:

1 potato, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1 green chili, sliced

1 tomato, chopped

1 tsp. cumin seeds

salt to taste

oil for frying

Method: In a pan, heat oil and add the cumin seeds. When they start to pop, add the onion and fry until it's softened. Add the potato and fry until it's golden brown. Add the tomato and green chili and fry for a few minutes. Season with salt and serve hot with rice or naan bread. Enjoy!

 Channa nu shaak, chickpea masala in a black bowl surround by poori, puri on a plate with lady wearing colourful bangles holding it

Channa Masala Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chickpeas

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 inch ginger, minced

1 green chili, sliced

1 tomato, chopped

1 tsp. cumin seeds

salt to taste

oil for frying

For the masala:

2 tsps. coriander seeds

1 tsp. cumin seeds

1/4 tsp. cardamom pods

1/4 tsp. cloves

1 cinnamon stick

2-3 bay leaves

Method: In a pan, roast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick and bay leaves until they are fragrant. Grind to a powder and set aside. In a pressure cooker or saucepan, combine the chickpeas with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 minutes until the chickpeas are soft. In another pan, heat oil and fry the onion until it's softened. Add the garlic and ginger and fry for a few seconds. Add the tomato and green chili and fry for a few minutes. Add the chickpea mixture and the ground masala powder and stir well. Season with salt and serve hot with rice or naan bread. Enjoy!