Recipe: Recreate This Classic Rajasthani Dish At Home
45 mins
Cooking Time
Intermediate
Difficulty
24
Ingredients
Vegetarian Diet
Diet
Like most cuisines, Indian cuisine is also inspired by the regions where it was born. Thus, Rajasthani food, born in dry, arid regions, makes crafty use of kitchen staples to whip up vegetarian fare even without vegetables. Like the trademark gatte ki sabzi aka gram flour curry. It’s a mildly spiced yoghurt-based curry dish with gram dumplings (gatte). It pairs perfectly with bajra roti, wheat roti, paratha, or even steamed rice.
Ingredients
UNITSIngredients
200 gmGram flour (besan)
¼ tspTurmeric powder
¼ tspRed chilli powder
1 tspCoriander powder
½ tspCarrom seeds
2 tbspOil or ghee
2 tbspCurd
2 tbspWater (for kneading)
4 cupsWater (for cooking)
as neededSalt
A pinch of hing (optional)
For the curry
2 tbspOil
1 tspCumin seeds
½ tspFennel seeds
1 tspKasuri methi
2Green cardamom
2-3Cloves
1Bay leaf (tej patta)
¼ tspTurmeric
1/2 tspRed chilli powder
1 tspCoriander powder
¼ tspGaram Masala
1Onion (finely chopped)
1 tspGinger-garlic paste
1 cupCurd (Full-fat; beaten)
2 tbspCoriander (finely chopped)
as requiredSalt
Follow
Directions
Description - Step 1
Make the gram-flour dough
In a large bowl, add gram flour, carrom seeds, dried spice powders, ghee, curd, and hing (if using). Mix it all together, ensuring the spices are mixed well in the flour, and it is moistened. Next, add 2 tbsp of water and knead the dough. Gradually add water if required and knead till the dough is soft and smooth. The dough should be without cracks.
Description - Step 2
Making the gatte
Divide the dough into equal parts. Roll each part into a small ball. Now, shape this ball into a long, cylindrical log. You should ideally have 4-6 logs. Cut each log into 2-3 small pieces and keep aside.
Description - Step 3
Cooking the gatte
Heat about 4 cups of water in a pan on medium-high flame. Once the water comes to a boil, gently place the gatte inside the water. Do not overcrowd the pan. Boil the gatte pieces for 8-10 minutes, till they float on top. This means they’re cooked. Gently remove the gatte with a slotted spoon and let the gatte cool down to room temperature. Do not throw away the water.
Description - Step 4
Whisk the curd and make the curry base
Whisk the curd till it's smooth and keep it aside. Now, in a large pan, heat the oil. Keep the flame on medium-low and add all the whole spices. Lightly fry for a few seconds till the spices crackle before adding the onion. Sautè till it turns golden brown before adding the ginger-garlic paste and dried masalas except garam masala. Sautè on a low flame till the mixture turns aromatic.
Description - Step 5
Add the water, curd, and gatte
Use the water left from cooking the dumplings and 1 cup of it in the curry base. Next, add the whisked curd. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a boil. Now, add the cooked gatte and salt and mix. Let the gatte simmer in the gravy on medium-high flame for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Description - Step 6
Garnish and serve
Once the curry thickens slightly, add the garam masala and chopped coriander. Switch off the flame and serve hot with the flatbread of your choice.