Signature Recipe of Kashmir Cuisine

Kashmir-a heaven on earth. I will never get tired of talking about this beautiful place. Today, I am going to talk about one of the famous and signature dishes of Kashmir cuisine i.e. Rogan Josh. It is an aromatic curried meat dish of Kashmiri origin. Rogan josh was brought to Kashmir by the Mughals, whose cuisine was in turn influenced by Persian cuisine. The unrelenting summer heat of the Indian plains took the Mughals frequently to Kashmir, which has a cooler climate because of its altitude. Let us first understand the meaning of this dish. In Persian, 'Rogan' means clarified butter or oil, or “red” in Hindi, and “josh” refers to passion – fiery or hot – so this dish is all about cooking in an oil-based sauce with intense heat. Traditionally, Rogan Josh is prepared using the slow-cooking method with authentic whole spices that make it unique. Rogan josh consists of pieces of lamb or mutton braised with a gravy flavored with garlic, ginger, and aromatic spices (cloves, bay leaves, cardamom, and cinnamon), and in some versions incorporating onions or yogurt. In India, rogan josh is often made with goat instead of mutton, due to its wider availability. There is a variety with beef as well, brisket being preferred. The festivals and other special occasions of Kashmiris are incomplete without this delicious dish and when you visit Kashmir, never forget to taste it.