De Leij: Culinary Art of Kashmir
A Cookbook of All Popular Kashmiri Dishes
along with a Guide to Healthy Eating
Kashmiris are hospitable by nature. They enjoy
social life and mutual 
entertainment. This has been one main cause of the
development of their culinary art. Different types of menus were also inspired
by the cuisines of different rulers and visitors, who came in the past from
Persia, Afghanistan and other places. Mughals especially had a great influence
on the cooking of Meat Dishes and different Pulavs. Emperors Jehangir and
Shahjehan, with their lovely queens, their courtiers and kith and kin, made
Kashmir their health resort and a place of sport, enjoyment, eating and
drinking. Shahjehan used to visit Kashmir every summer and called it a Paradise
on Earth. Jehangir's last wish, at his death, was 'Kashmir and Nothing
else'.
Its salubrious climate, unrivalled and picturesque
natural scenery, its invigorating, digestive, sweet and crystal-clear waters of
springs and abounding streams, its beautiful lakes, majestic Pine and Deodar
forests, and snow capped mountains, its breezy summers, flaming and blazing
colourful and breathtaking autumns, the cool and calm grandeur of its winter
snows, followed by charming flower-laden fragrant springs, all have made Kashmir
a gourmet's heaven. Here amongst these blessing of Mother Nature, enjoying good
and delicious spicy food, is a delighting desire of men, women and children
alike.
The Authors
S. S. Kaul Kilam and Shyam Rani Kilam
Outdoor picnics, luncheons and
dinners, in big and small comfortable boats, (House Boats, Dungas and
Shikara.), plying on the famous Dal lake, are common. Parties of
people of every class are seen enjoying hearty meals, Qehva, Shier Chay,
cookies and sweets, according to their means. The spicy aroma of food, being
cooked in the small kitchens, provided in the bigger boats, permeates the
air. Strains of soothing Sufiyana music to the, accompaniment of Sitar,
Saz, and Dukra (Tabla), or sound of exciting choral Chhakri-lyrical
songs, with Nuot, Tumbaknar and Roani beating time and Sarangi
playing to the tune, come from some of the boats, all heading slowly towards
the 'Mughal' and other gardens, 'Chinar' groves, Shrines and springs
situated here and there, on or near the shores of the lake. Fields of
lotuses and water- lilies bloom on the outskirts of the lake, and the
surrounding hills are mirrored in its clear water.
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