Ghevar

Ghevar
Ghevar with Malai Topping
CourseDessert
Place of originIndia
Region or stateRajasthan[1]
Main ingredientsmaida, ghee, sugar, milk
Ingredients generally usedalmonds, pistachio, saffron, green cardamom, kewra
VariationsPlain Ghevar, Mava Ghevar, Malai Ghevar & Rabdi Ghevar

Ghevar or Ghewar is a disc-shaped Rajasthani sweet[2] with a honeycomb-like texture, made from ghee, maida, and sugar syrup.[3] It is traditionally associated with the month of Shraavana and the festivals of Teej and Raksha Bandhan.[4][5] It is a part of Rajasthani tradition and is gifted to newly married daughter on Sinjara, the day preceding Gangaur and Teej.[6] It is also one of the Chhapan Bhog (56 dishes) served to the Lord Krishna.[7] Besides Rajasthan, it is also famous in the adjoining states of Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

Ghevar is savoured by masterchef Sanjeev Kapoor, too. Ghevar made its way into the coveted MasterChef Australia when Depinder Chhibber served the sweet in audition round of Season 13.[8]

Etymology

The word "ghevar" is connected to the Sanskrit term "ghṛtapūra" (घृतपूर), which breaks down into "ghṛta" (घृत), meaning "ghee" (clarified butter), and "pūra" (पूर), meaning "filled" or "cake." This term translates to "ghee cake," reflecting the sweet's use of ghee and its cake-like texture. 16th century saint poet Mira Bai, offers Ghevar to Krishna in one of her poems.[9]

Origin

The origin of Ghevar can be traced back to the royal courts of Rajasthan, where chefs crafted this delicacy for the Maharajas,[10] before eventually making its way to the common people of Rajasthan and India.[11]

Preparation

Ghevar is a disc-shaped sweet cake made with flour, ghee (clarified butter), and soaked in sugar syrup.[12][13] Flour, ghee, milk, and water are mixed to make a batter. The batter is then poured in ghee in disc shape and is fried to a golden honeycomb-like texture.[14] Common toppings include saffron, spices and nuts.[15]

Variations

Plain Ghevar
Malai Ghevar

Ghevar comes in multiple varieties, including plain, mawa, and malai ghevar.[16][17] Jaipur's LMB introduced variations like Chhena Ghevar in 1961. Ghevar can be soaked in sugar-water syrup or is often topped with rabdi.[15][18] A special variation for weight watchers and diabetics is its sugar free version available nowadays.

References

  1. ^ "A modern spin to the traditional ghavers". Hindustan Times. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024. Historians claim that the sweet dish has its origin in Rajasthan
  2. ^ "A modern spin to the traditional ghavers". Hindustan Times. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024. Historians claim that the sweet dish has its origin in Rajasthan
  3. ^ KUMAWAT, LOVESH (18 May 2020). CUISINE. NotionPress. ISBN 978-1-64850-162-3.
  4. ^ "The Significance of Ghevar in Raksha Bandhan". Floweraura Blog. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  5. ^ "MALAI GHEVAR मलाई घेवर (HARIYALI TEEJ & RAKSHA-BANDHAN SPECIAL)". Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  6. ^ Petpuja.com, Festive Foods Ghevar indian dessert monsoon sweets Indian sweet Petpuja (5 August 2022). "Ghevar". Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Krishna Janmashtami 2023: The story behind Chappan Bhog and what all is included in it". The Times of India. 6 September 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  8. ^ "The 10 Indian dishes that rocked MasterChef Australia this year". Condé Nast Traveller India. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  9. ^ To Touch the Sky: Poems of Mystical, Spiritual & Metaphysical Light. New Directions Publishing. 1999. ISBN 978-0-8112-1396-7.
  10. ^ "Unveiling the Essence of Ghewar: A Deep Dive into Its Rich History and Uniqueness". Asha Sweet Center. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  11. ^ "The Significance of Ghevar in Raksha Bandhan". Floweraura Blog. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  12. ^ KUMAWAT, LOVESH (18 May 2020). CUISINE. NotionPress. ISBN 978-1-64850-162-3.
  13. ^ Laveesh, Bhandari (September 2009). Indian States At A Glance 2008-09: Performance, Facts And Figures - Rajasthan. Pearson Education India. ISBN 978-81-317-2346-3.
  14. ^ INDIAN FOOD - Rajasthan State Top 10 Dishes. The Future Thing. 2019. p. 39.
  15. ^ a b Fodor's Essential India With Delhi, Rajasthan, Mumbai & Kerala. Fodor's Travel. 2019. ISBN 9781640971233.
  16. ^ Rathore, Prem Singh (25 June 2022). Rawali Rasoi ( Rajasthan cuisine by Prem Singh Rathore). Blue Rose Publishers.
  17. ^ Kumawat, Lovesh (2020). CUISINE. NotionPress. p. 111. ISBN 9781648501623.
  18. ^ Singh, Rocky; Sharma, Mayur (2 December 2011). Highway on my Plate: The indian guide to roadside eating. Random House India. ISBN 978-81-8400-219-5.