The royal cuisine of the ‘Paradise on Earth’. Wazwan the royal cuisine of Kashmir – The Paradise on Earth, rich and famous for its scenic beauty, snowy mountains, wildlife, hospitality and not to forget the very popular ‘food’ or cuisine. Kashmiri people are very particular about their tastes and traditions. They prefer food their way and more importantly, the spices and richness to every dish and its taste have logic and tradition behind it.

Wazwan is a traditional multi-course meal in Kashmir, and it’s very popular for the way and art of cooking. The Kashmiris consider it as their pride when it comes to Wazwan. The concept of fork and knife is very foreign to the Kashmiri people, they prefer eating food with hand. Wazwan is the Kashmiri language is waz – ‘cook’ and wan – ‘shop’. In fact, this meal includes around thirty-six dishes in it. Even the dates of events get postponed and are decided as per the availability of the Wazwan. Moreover, the master chef to cook wazwan is called ‘Waze’ and he is of great importance and is treated and respected highly.

Wazwan includes more non-vegetarian dishes than vegetarian. The veg dishes are easy to count whereas non-veg dishes are covering the entire meal. The preparations for the meal begin from around 3 am. That’s even before sunrise. The master chef is very particular about the taste of Wazwan and it is made particularly with sheep meat (Lamb) that is butchered before an hour and is cooked in this way to maintain the taste of the meat and dish.

Some delicious Wazwan dishes

• Methi maaz- Minced Lamb keema curry flavoured with methi.
• Daniwal korma- Mutton korma cooked with coriander, ghee and yoghurt based gravy.
• Sabz Haakh – spinach greens cooked with mustard oil with chillies, without which the Wazwan is incomplete.
• Rogan josh- It’s a dish consisting of meat fat, cooked on high flame along with praan paste, mawal flower essence, curd, Kashmiri Mirch essence.
• Ghostaba- Meatballs served in a mutton broth with curd based gravy cooked with dry ginger, cardamom and fennel.
• Marchwagun korma- Very spicy hot Kashmiri chilli korma in the entire wazwan.

• Doon Chetin – The walnut chutney with Kashmiri chillies.
• Kashmiri pulao- Main dish in which the basmati rice is cooked in ghee with lots of dry fruits, saffron and milk.
• Tabakh maaz- The ribs are cooked in ghee and curd and simmered till it’s dry.
• Mashed al chetin- The date, pumpkin, dry nuts, cardamom and honey chutney.

These are some of the lip-smacking delicacies of Kashmiri Wazwan and the food lovers can easily taste the dish and name the ‘waza’ who cooked it. In fact, this is why the wazas are booked in advance for functions and ceremonies.

The importance and traditions.

In fact, traditionally the Wazwan is about the ‘tehzeeb’ or manners in the way the food is cooked and eaten. The Kashmiris call the dining space the ‘ Dastarkhwan’ which is decorated with white carpets. Moreover, the guests sit in a group of fours and wash their hands with Luke warm water, with the vessel called Tasht e Neer.

All the food is eaten with hands to feel the connection with the cuisine. The food is cooked in traditional copper vessels and served on huge copper plates. The eldest family members recite the prayer and the traditional wazwan begins.

Place and occasion of Wazwan.

The Wazwan is a very highly reputed meal course which needs to be booked in advance for all special occasions such as traditional Kashmiri weddings, ceremonies, functions celebrations, meal feasts etc.

Generally, the Wazwan is cooked in an open area or like a garden space or kitchen verandah. These dishes are cooked in copper pots on low to medium flames to enhance the taste of the meat. These low hollow bottom pots are placed in a line and the dishes are stirred with huge bamboo, silver or wooden spatulas.

In fact, the aroma of all the royal cuisine spreads all over and one can easily recognise that Wazwan is being prepared. Another Kashmiri drink that goes well with Wazwan is the Kashmiri kahva or tea. They have a unique pink tea, which is consumed in the morning with more of a salty taste. And also some spiced kahva- tea without milk which acts like an energy drink cum immunity booster for the cold climate of Kashmir.

Overall the royal cuisine is an experience in itself, one can not miss! Wazwan is a must-try meal course and the speciality of traditional Kashmiri food. It’s the best Kashmiri cuisine one can ever explore. The meat is tender and juicy, full of flavours. The broths are flavoured with curd, salt, saffron and Kashmiri Mirch. Moreover, the veggies and greens add to the delicious meat flavour. And the classic favourite Kashmiri kahva is a soothing and rejuvenating drink for the entire body. Thus, if there is heaven on earth, it’s here! Kashmir- ‘The paradise on Earth.

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