Bikaner Cuisine
It is a matter of great prestige to serve unusual and unique dishes as per the specialty of reason to guests. Every region of India has its own customary dishes and specialties and in this norm, Bikaner is also not an exception. In the regal kitchens of Bikaner as well as Rajasthan, hundreds of cooks are working in the stately palaces and keep their recipes secret to offer an exclusive spicy dish to its guests.
Unique and finest dishes of Bikaner are mostly derived from the Mughals. Food preparation here has its own unique flavor and the simplest; the most basic of ingredients go into the preparation of most dishes. Food preparation at Bikaner was influenced by the war-like lifestyle of its residents and the availability of ingredients in this region. Food which is made several days ago and which could be eaten without heating was preferred, more out of necessity than choice. Shortage of water, lack of fresh green vegetables have all had their effect on the cooking.
Due to its nature of desert belt, the cooks of Bikaner use minimum of water and prefer, instead, to use more milk. Some liberally used items are- buttermilk and clarified butter dried lentils, beans from indigenous plants like sangri, ker, etc. Major ingredient like ‘Gram flour’ is used to make some of the delicacies like khata, gatta ki sabzi, pakodi, and another ingredient ‘powdered lentils’ are used for mangodi, papad. Bajra and corn is used all over the region for preparations of rabdi, kheechdi, and rotis.
Varieties of other tasty dishes are made from locally available spices like turmeric, coriander, mint and garlic. The best known Rajasthani food -dal, bati and churma is equally popular in Bikaner also. In addition to spicy flavors, Bikaner is famous for its popular sweet Rasogullas, Raj Bhog, GaundPak, Ghevar, Fini, Rabri and some camel milk made sweets.
There are many restaurants in Bikaner in each class of hotels. All the heritage hotel, Luxury hotel and economy hotels offer special Rajasthani dishes. Bikaner is well known for its savories, particularly 'bhujia', numerous mouth-watering 'namkeens', 'papads' and 'baris'. It is also interesting about the cuisine of Bikaner that successful food chain Haldirams began its unparalleled journey from Bikaner and it is well known for delicious foods. Enjoy the unforgettable taste of Bikaner
