Pushkar Resort Cuisine
Fine Pastas, Lal Maas
in the desert!
WITHOUT MALICE/By Ravi V.Chhabra
Pushkar stands out as a famous Hindu religious place in Rajasthan that houses the sole Brahma Temple in the world. It is equally famous for the overseas tourists that descend here for the yearly October Cattle and Camel Festival. The sparse clean F&B outlets around the temple's vicinity are strictly vegetarian but the few hotels and privately-run exclusive resorts offer delectable continental multicuisine for the devout foodie.
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The fnbworld team visited Pushkar and stayed at Ajmer's famous, biggest and fine luxury Pushkar Resort in Pushkar run by the Sewara Hospitality group. Noticeably, the resort's completion was speeded up at the behest of Kate Winslet as she stayed at this resort in 1998 with the film crew for Holy Smoke that was shot in Rajasthan.
The resort is spread over 15-acres and
maintains five-star luxury standards with
all of its 40 cottages dotted in a natural
setting, fully air-conditioned with 24/7 power backup.
It's an ideal nestling place if you are a nature
lover or want to meet up with the simple and
talented gypsy dancers of Rajasthan in a safe and
serene place.
Multilingual Gypsies of Rajasthan
The resort provides a unique blend
of an Indian rural landscape and cottages
that are extremely modern from inside. Besides,
there’s a swimming pool, well kempt gardens,
Spa with health club and jacuzzi. It
also has a small animal farm in its premises. The
well-equipped and hygienic kitchen is highly
efficient and serves some of the finest
continental, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines. Our
Managing Editor Ravi V. Chhabra
spoke with the resort’s oldest
Indian cuisine Chef Jaswant Singh Rawat:
fnbworld: When
and how did you join the hospitality
industry?
Chef Rawat: I
started my career 15-years back in Goa as a
kitchen helper at the Dilli Durbar an a la carte
restaurant in Panaji. After a few years, I
graduated into becoming a chef! I was interested
in the hotel industry since my childhood.
fnbworld: What about the family and your
qualifications?
Chef Rawat: My
father is a farmer in the village in Garhwal. My
brother works in a hotel. I studied till the fifth
standard in my village and I am basically a
self-taught chef. Cooking is my passion.
fnbworld: When is the peak season in
this resort?
Chef Rawat: The
peak season begins in October when the Pushkar
Cattle Fair commences. That time, we need 10 boys
in the kitchen. My prime job then becomes
supervising the kitchen.
fnbworld: How many guests have you
served from the kitchen at one time?
Chef Rawat: We usually manage around 120
to 150 people at one time in the rush season
during the Pushkar cattle fair.
fnbworld: Name a popular non-vegetarian
dish from Rajasthan in the menu?
Chef Rawat: People like Lal Maans the most in
the non-vegetarian menu. Even Europeans like it.
Although it is very spicy, some foreigners love it
too.
fnbworld: Which is most
popular continental dish at the Pushkar
Resort?
Chef Rawat: Even
though I am an Indian cuisine chef, I must
admit, it is undoubtedly the pastas. We offer a
range of these as it suits the continental
palate.
fnbworld: Do you
prepare anything with the fruits and vegetables
grown in the resort’s kitchen
gardens?
Chef Rawat: We make
ready-to-serve mango juice and some jams with the
fruits grown here. Some vegetables are used for
daily cooking.
fnbworld: Your
personal favorite dish is?
Chef Rawat: I like the humble cauliflower
(gobhi) cooked in shahi style.
fnbworld: Is there any special
Rajasthani recipe you can tell us?
Chef Rawat: The Lal Maans is a really
special and famous non-vegetarian dish of
Rajasthan. Let me share the secret recipe with
you!
The
Recipe
Lal Maas (Red Meat Curry)
Take four to five table-spoons vegetable cooking oil in a pan or wok, heat oil and add khada masaala (raw herbs and spices) comprising whole black pepper, liberal amount of red chilly powder and 4 whole red chiilies, 4 green cardamoms and dal cheeni (cinnamon).
Now, add finely chopped 4 medium sized onions sliced very thin and let onions turn dark brown in color. Then add ½ kg mutton (goat or lamb meat), add 1.2 cup fresh curd and 1 tbsp garlic paste with 2 table spoons garam masala, salt to taste, a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of coriander powder.
Let it mix well and ensure it is kept on fire till it blends well with a rich red color. Now add 6 cloves and freshly chopped green coriander and some water and let it boil and mix well till it has a thick consistency. Garnish with chopped green chilies and fresh coriander. It's ready to eat and enough for 2 to 3 people. Ideal to have with Indian breads.
INSIDE
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