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    Home » Meal Planning » Party Menu Ideas

    Rajasthani Thali - An Authentic and Traditional Menu

    Rajasthani Thali is a well-known and delicious combination of foods in all north Indian homes. Any mention of Rajasthani Food or Thali is incomplete without the discussion of Dal-Bati Churma. What started as warriors or nomade food has become a distinctive food of the region. Dal-Bati is itself a complete meal; however, when served as Rajasthani Thali, Dal-Bati is accompanied by various other Rajasthani exotic delicacies. If you are planning a festive get-together with your family or friends, this authentic Rajasthani thali menu is the perfect recipe combination.

    Authentic Rajasthani Thali menu
    Jump to:
    • What is the Traditional Food of Rajasthani Thali?
    • Food on My Rajasthani Thali Menu
    • Table Decor for a Rajasthani Thali
    • Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the Traditional Food of Rajasthani Thali?

    Rajasthani Thali consists of Batis, which are authentically cooked in the kandas(cow dung cakes) fire pit, but now the kandas has been replaced by an electric oven and a gas tandoor in urban lifestyle. It also consists of Spicy Panchmel Dal, which is a mixture of 5 different lentils, and Smokey Baingan ka bharta or chokha, where Baigans(eggplants) used to be roasted in the same cow dung cake fire pit where batis were getting roasted. The traditional Rajasthani Thali food also includes Gatte ki Subji, which is another renowned Rajasthani pride, and tangy Rajasthani Kadhi, which is slightly spicier and different from Punjabi Kadhi. Dum Aloo curry can be added as well to the Thali menu to make it even more elaborate.

    Most of the food is rich in Ghee and spices, so for ease of digestion, don't forget to serve Pudina Chaas (Mint flavored Buttermilk) or Aam Panna for the drink.

    Last but not least, complete the Thali menu with either Churma or Curma Ladoo, to make it a complete traditional Rajasthani Thali.

    Food on My Rajasthani Thali Menu

    While Dal-Bati-Churma itself is a complete meal for a Rajasthani Thali, you can make your menu even more elaborate by preparing a complete spread consisting of the following food dishes:

    Thali plate setting with other accompaniments
    1. Mattha / Chaas - Spicy Buttermilk
    2. Panchmel Dal - Five Lentil Soup
    3. Shahi/Govind Gatte
    4. Mangodi Papad Kadhi
    5. Baigan (Eggplant) Bharta/Chokha
    6. Bhindi
    7. Bati
    8. Pearl Millet / Bajra Khichdi
    9. Churma Ladoo

    Panchmel Dal

    A Rajasthani thali menu is incomplete without including protein-rich food. In vegetarian meals, lentils most commonly serve this purpose. ‘Panch’ means five, and ‘Mel’ means mixing; hence, ‘Panch-mel’ refers to lentils made by mixing five different types of lentils. This not only gives lentil soup a unique flavor but it also makes it nutritionally complete.

    Traditionally, you pour dal over the crushed bati and then devour it. Panchmel dal tastes best when served with unleavened Indian breads such as missi roti, tandoori roti, bati, or khoba roti.

    Panchmel Dal - Five Lentil Soup
    Panchmel Dal recipe uses a combination of five different lentils. This can be had just as a soup, or had with other accompaniments such as rice or bread. Panchmel dal tastes best when served with unleavened Indian breads such as missi roti, tandoori roti, baati or khoba roti.
    Check out this recipe
    Panchmel Dal - five lentil soup

    Shahi Gatte / Govind Gatte

    Shahi Gatte is a royal dish of Rajasthan, which was often served in lavish royal meals. However, it is not very popular compared to other versions of Rajasthani Gatte recipes. It is a traditional but not common recipe served at Indian food gatherings, and it will elevate your Rajasthani thali with its rich curry flavor.

    Shahi Gatte - Govind Gatta
    Shahi Gatte, also popular as Govind Gatta, is a very royal dish of Rajasthan, which was often served in royal meals. Yet it is not very popular compared to other versions of Rajasthani gatte recipes. For those of you unfamiliar with this royal recipe, Shahi Gatte is Stuffed Chickpea Flour Dumplings in Rich Tomato Nut Gravy.
    Check out this recipe
    Shahi Gatte – Govind Gatta

    Mangodi Papad Kadhi

    Mangodi Papad Kadhi is a yogurt-based light curry that has the benefit of adding more protein to the menu. This authentic Rajasthani Kadi is commonly served as an accompaniment with staple foods such as Bajra Khichdi, rice, or Indian flatbreads. Here, it serves the purpose of providing a light yogurt-based option and accompaniment for bajra khichdi. This differs from the more popular Punjabi khadi; hence, this would be a new experience for even those familiar with Punjabi kadi.

    Indian Yogurt Curry - Rajasthani Kadhi Recipe
    Authentic Rajasthani Kadhi recipe - Mangodi Papad Kadhi enhanced here by addition of green mango.
    Check out this recipe
    Rajasthani Kadhi Recipe – Indian Yogurt Curry

    Baingan Bharta

    Chokha Bati is another popular food option since ancient times when merchant travelers traveled for months and often made this food at rest stops. Hence, chokha, which means Baingan Bharta, is commonly served for a Rajasthani Thali.

    Baingan Bharta is an authentic Indian recipe made with smoky roasted eggplants and tempered with onions, tomatoes, and spices. For my Rajasthani Thali menu, Baingan Bharta adds a dry curry vegetable dish to the menu. You can roast your eggplants on the grill while you are heating it up and preparing the Batis. My version of this recipe has been enhanced by adding roasted red bell peppers, which adds a nice tone to the color of the recipe. Even though eggplant is a nutritionally packed vegetable, the addition of red bell peppers further enhances this recipe.

    Baingan Bharta - Chokha - Indian Eggplant Curry
    Baingan Bharta is a popular Indian Eggplant Curry recipe, also known as Chokha, made with smoky roasted eggplants and tempered with onions, tomatoes, and spices. Baingan Bharat, also popular as roasted eggplant curry or Indian eggplant curry, is commonly served with roti (chapati - Indian flatbread) and dal (lentil soup). Presented here is an authentic ‘Baingan Bharta’ recipe enhanced by the addition of fire-roasted red bell peppers for more sweet and tangy flavors.
    Check out this recipe
    Baingan Bharta – Indian Eggplant Curry – Chokha

    Rajasthani Bhindi – Spiced Okra

    There are many recipes available online to make bhindi, but the recipe that goes best with this Rajasthani Thali menu is stuffed Rajasthani bhindi. While I have not yet published this recipe, you can find one online by searching for Rajasthani Stuffed Bhindi Recipe or using my bhindi masala recipe.

    Bhindi Masala - Okra Bell Pepper Stir Fry
    Enhanced Bhindi Masala recipe with Shimla Mirch, i.e. Okra Bell Pepper Stir Fry, to give it a unique flavor and colorful look. Bhindi (Hindi word for Okra) is like a staple vegetable in Northern India. Most families will cook bhindi for at least one meal during the week. My family also love bhindi, so I try to make it in different ways. This recipe needs very basic ingredients available in most household kitchens.
    Check out this recipe
    Bhindi Masala – Okra Bell Pepper Stir-Fry

    Rajasthani Bati

    Rajasthani Bati is the main centerpiece food for a Rajasthani Thali. Well-cooked bati should be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Traditionally, these were cooked in a fire pit over a low-heat simmer of cow dung cake. If you are grilling or using an oven, it can take some time to get these perfect, so making a little extra is a good idea.

    Batis can be served plain as well as stuffed, which is known as masala bati. My bati recipe has been enhanced by adding different flours to the bati dough, which in turn yields a better texture, taste, and flavor.

    Rajasthani Bati (Unleavened Bread)
    Rajasthani Bati is a famous and authentic unleavened bread from dry parts of Indian subcontinent - Rajasthan. Rajasthani Bati is more popularly know as Dal-Bati-Churma due to it common accompaniment Panchmel Dal and Churma. Any mention of or article about Rajasthani food is incomplete without the discussion about dal-bati-churma.
    Check out this recipe
    Rajasthani Bati unleavened bread

    Bajra (Pearl Millet) Khichdi

    Bajra (Pearl Millet) Khichdi is a wholesome meal during the winter season when combined with Rajasthani mango kadhi. Due to its soft texture, it makes a perfect kid-friendly item to be included in a Rajasthani Thali. Hence, this provides a light option for kids and grown-ups who are not able to eat other foods due to a restricted diet. My recipe for Bajra khichdi is nutritionally enhanced by adding different vegetables to the recipe.

    Bajra Khichdi - Vegetable Pearl Millet Recipe (One Pot Meal)
    Bajra (Pearl Millet) Khichdi makes a perfect, diabetic friendly and healthy one pot meal. Pearl Millet (Bajra) is among the grains with highest protein content. It is also high in fiber and contains many essential vitamins and minerals. In authentic recipe rice is used, which has been replaced by Freekeh over here, which is the latest addition to the category of super-foods. Freekeh is a wheat grain harvested while young and green. It is obtained by roasting the harvested grain over the open fire and then removing the burned straw and chaff from it. Freekeh is high in fiber, proteins, calcium, lutein (for eye health) and low in available carbs. Not to mention, the addition of all the mix-vegetables add to the overall nutritional value of the dish.
    Check out this recipe
    Vegetable Pearl Millet Recipe – Bajra Khichdi (One Pot Meal)

    Churma Ladoo

    A Rajasthani thali is not complete without a dessert option, and my Churma Ladoo is a delicious dessert addition to my menu. They are ball-shaped sweets made of crumbled Bati that are enhanced by using different flours, spices, and nuts. Churma can be served in crumbled form or as ‘ladoo.’ Churma Ladoo is much more convenient to serve, store, and eat in a portion-controlled manner, and they are perfect bite-size for kids to grab anytime to keep them fueled.

    Churma Ladoo – Baked version with Jaggery
    Churma Ladoo is a recipe for ball shaped sweet made out of crumbled Bati (unleavened bread). This authentic Churma Ladoo recipe has been further enhanced by mixing different flours, spices and nuts. Baking and use of jaggery instead of sugar makes it healthier. Snack anytime you are feeling low on energy or to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings.
    Check out this recipe
    Churma Ladoo – Baked version with Jaggery

    Table Decor for a Rajasthani Thali

    Jazz up your authentic Indian Rajasthani Thali with a beautiful table setting, such as the warm copper fall table setting that I incorporate into my Thanksgiving table decor. Your thali food will be elegantly showcased when served on this thoughtfully put-together table setting.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is bati the same as litti?

    Bati is a popular regional dish of Rajasthan made from whole wheat flour and then either deep fried or baked, while Litti is a Bihari delicacy made out of whole wheat flour and is stuffed with sattu(roasted gram flour) and baked.

    Which dal recipe best goes with Bati?

    The Dal choices vary depending on the region. I personally prefer Panchmel or Urad-Chana dal with Bati.

    What is a Rajasthani Thali menu or thali?

    A Rajasthani thali menu consists of a lentil or dal, one curry (probably kadhi), gatta or mangodi, one dry curry (mostly baingan bharta), and churma (a sweet dish).

    Can I bake bati?

    Yes, bati can be easily baked. The oven temperature should be set to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, but the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the Batis and your type of oven.

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    Hi, I'm Rupali! Welcome to my food blog where I love to share healthy vegetarian recipes from my North Indian roots and present day. My recipes range from simple to elaborate showstoppers.

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