The Live Ahmedabad
  • Home
  • Ahd City
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Featured

The Live Ahmedabad

  • Home
  • Ahd City
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Featured
Gujarat

Gujarat Day: Chefs highlight lesser-known Gujarati dishes you need to know about

by TLAteam May 1, 2025May 1, 2025
written by TLAteam May 1, 2025May 1, 2025
Gujarat Day: Chefs highlight lesser-known Gujarati dishes you need to know about

Gujarat, which shares its border with Maharashtra, is famous for a wide variety of traditional dishes. While the sweet snack dabeli is widely loved, other popular year-round favorites include thepla (spiced whole wheat flatbread), dhokla (savory sponge cake), fafda (crispy snack), jalebi (sweet), and khandvi (rolled savory snack). Seasonal specialties like undhiyu (a mixed vegetable dish) also add to the rich culinary tradition. Each dish offers a unique blend of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.

Every year, as Maharashtrians celebrates Maharashtra Day on May 1, their neighbours also celebrate Gujarat Day, and what better way than to highlight some of its lesser-known dishes and even make them too.

Mid-day spoke to Indian chefs who shared their idea of dishes that are not known as much but deserve the spotlight. While one is the Dudhi na Muthiya, the other is a delicious sweet called Fada Halwa. They not only dive into the making of the dish but also share their cherished recipes for it.

Dudhi na Muthiya
At ITC Grand Central in Parel, executive chef Anshul Dhyani says the Dudhi na Muthiya (bottle gourd dumplings) is one such dish. He explains, “While dishes like dhokla and thepla are widely celebrated, Dudhi Na Muthiya often remains in the background, mainly because it’s seen as a very home-style or daily dish, not something typically showcased at restaurants or in festive spreads.”

The dish, he further says, is not only healthy but also easy to make from readily available ingredients. “But perhaps that very simplicity has kept it from gaining wider recognition outside Gujarat.” Clearly being very passionate about food and highlighting Gujarati cuisine, Dhyani explains, “Muthiya are steamed or sometimes lightly pan-fried dumplings made with bottle gourd, whole wheat flour, gram flour and spices. They are flavourful, light and packed with nutrition — perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a light meal. The name “Muthiya” comes from “muthhi” meaning “fist,” as the dough is shaped by hand.”

  • Ingredients:
  • Bottle gourd (lauki/dudhi) 1 cup
  • Whole wheat flour 1 cup
  • Besan (gram flour) 1/2 cup
  • Turmeric 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds 1 tsp
  • Sesame seeds 1 tsp
  • Green chillies, chopped 1-2 nos
  • Ginger paste 1 tsp
  • Asafoetida (hing) a pinch
  • Sugar as per requirement
  • Salt as per requirement

Method:

  1. Grate the bottle gourd (lauki/dudhi) and squeeze slightly to remove excess water.
  2. Mix it with whole wheat flour, besan (gram flour), turmeric, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, green chilies, ginger paste, hing (asafoetida), a little sugar and salt.
  3. Knead into a soft dough, adding dudhi water if needed.
  4. Shape into cylindrical logs and steam for 15–20 minutes.
  5. Once cooled, slice them and lightly temper with mustard seeds, sesame.
    seeds and curry leaves in a pan.
  6. Garnish with fresh coriander and enjoy.

Fada Halwa
It is not only Dudhi na Muthiya but even Fada Halwa, which Ranjeet Yadav, executive chef at Courtyard by Marriott in Ranchi, believe is a hidden treasure of Gujarati cuisine. He shares, “When you think of Gujarati cuisine, instantly recognisable dishes like dhokla, thepla and undhiyu spring to mind. Yet hidden away in the folds of village kitchens is Fada Halwa, a humble, rich and heart-warming dessert that rarely makes it to restaurant menus or food festivals.”

As a chef, Yadav says he has always found myself fascinated by regional obscurities — recipes passed down not through cookbooks, but through memory and tradition. “Fada Halwa is exactly that, a dish born from simplicity, sustenance, and celebration. Traditionally prepared during winters or on special occasions, it uses “fada” (broken wheat or daliya) and transforms it into a decadent halwa packed with warmth and texture,” he adds.

Yadav says the dessert isn`t popular simply because it lacks the glamour of modern desserts. He further explains, “It’s rustic, heavy and unapologetically traditional. In today’s fast-paced world, its slow cooking and earthy look just don’t catch the eye the way glossy cakes or trendy sweets do.” At a time when people often seek instant gratification in both preparation and presentation, Yadav says Fada Halwa demands time, patience and a love for layers of natural flavour — qualities that are becoming rare in today’s culinary world. “Fada Halwa is not just a sweet — it’s a feeling of community, of slow living, and of a time when food was valued not just for its taste but for the stories it carried,” he reminds.

  • Ingredients:
  • Fada (broken wheat/daliya) 1 cup
  • Ghee (clarified butter) 1 cup
  • Sugar (adjust to taste) 1 1/4 cup
  • Milk 4 cups
  • Water 2 cups
  • Cardamom powder 1 tsp
  • Almonds, chopped 2 tbsp
  • Cashews, chopped 2 tbsp
  • Raisins 1 tbsp
  • Saffron (optional) a few strands

Method:

  1. Roast the fada: Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add the fada and roast on medium-low heat, stirring continuously. Roast until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma. This can take 10–12 minutes; patience is key here.
  2. Add water and milk: Carefully add the water and milk mixture to the roasted fada (it will splutter a bit, so be cautious). Stir continuously to avoid lumps.
  3. Cook: Let it simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the fada absorbs most of the liquid and becomes soft and creamy (about 20-25 minutes).
  4. Sweeten: Add sugar and continue cooking. The mixture will loosen a bit after adding sugar, but it will thicken again as you cook.
  5. Flavour: Stir in cardamom powder, saffron (if using), and half of the chopped dry fruits.
  6. Finish: Cook for a few more minutes until the ghee starts to separate from the sides. Garnish with remaining dry fruits.
  7. Serve: Serve hot, ideally during chilly evenings for the full nostalgic experience.

0 comment
previous post
CM heartfelt Greetings on Gujarat’s 65th Foundation Day
next post
Chandola Lake Shops Face Demolition on Second Day of Ahmedabad Drive

You may also like

Start-up by 3 Rajkotians Becomes IIM Case Study;...

May 23, 2025

Gujarat University Announces Special Convocation for Medical Students

May 23, 2025

Tiger spotted in Gujarat after more than 3...

May 23, 2025

Vande Bharat to ease travel to Somnath, Rajkot...

May 23, 2025

Fake cosmetic makers raided across Gujarat

May 23, 2025

 Dr Jayant Narlikar’s MSU connection

May 22, 2025

Gujarat Govt Approves Urgent Recruitment of 22,000 Teachers

May 22, 2025

Asiatic Lion Population in Gujarat Rises to 891,...

May 22, 2025

Gujarat University to start medical college-hospital & 5-star...

May 21, 2025

Cyclonic System Nears Gujarat: Heavy Rainfall and Thunderstorm...

May 21, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

  • Three Amdavadis Achieve Prestigious ‘Six Star Finisher’ Title by Completing Abbott World Marathon Majors

    May 23, 2025
  • Start-up by 3 Rajkotians Becomes IIM Case Study; Shradhanjali.com Also Featured in Harvard Business Review

    May 23, 2025
  • Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Launches All-New CB750 Hornet and CB1000 Hornet SP

    May 23, 2025
  • CEPT University Students Awarded Prestigious ARRA Scholarship

    May 23, 2025
  • Gujarat University Announces Special Convocation for Medical Students

    May 23, 2025
May 2025
MTWTFSS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
« Apr  
Footer Logo
  • Home
  • Ahd City
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Featured
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise with Us
  • Work With Us
  • Contact Us

© 2021 - The Live Ahmedabad. All Rights Reserved.