Wazwan
Where better to fall in love with Wazwan than in Kashmir? In October 2013, I visited this beautiful valley with my wife for the first time. Through all the breathtaking natural beauty, the rolling green mountains and valleys, and snow-peaked horizons, my focus, my greatest love, never wavered from the fantastic culinary tradition of this mountain state. Many things combined to create the mouthwatering Wazwan for which Kashmir is so rightly famed — from the Mughal past, where emperors commissioned some of the most romantic baghs (gardens) in the world, made as the earthly template of heaven, and were also incurable gourmands who searched far and wide for great chefs and gave them their one-point agenda: create exceptional dishes. Kashmir’s wonderful climate, which allows the growing of a mind-boggling variety of beautiful nuts, fruits, vegetables, and spices, including saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, played an equally crucial part. And of course, not least, the wonderful chefs who continue to carry the tradition forward with their immaculate mastery and love for wazwan. It is thanks to these chefs that this blog features recipes for some of the wazwan dishes we enjoyed during our stay (and later recreated and experimented with at home). More information on authentic Kashmiri recipes: Available in Wazwan: Authentic Kashmiri Recipes for Rogan Josh & Rista
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