The owner of Sagar chain of restaurants, Jayaram Banan is now experimenting with Jain and Marwari cuisine. Shraman, a Jain and Marwari cuisine restaurant has recently opened in the Capital at Ashoka Hotel. Shraman, meaning self-reliance, is derived from Jainism. The typical Rajasthani décor adds to the experience.
The gastronomical tour at Shraman begins with a refreshing blend of watermelon, mint and pepper mocktail. The platter of appetisers consists of delicacies like Jodhpuri mirchi ka pakora, dhokla aur khandvi ki chaat, sangri ki shammi among which kalami vada, a Rajasthani speciality is worth trying. There is deep fried gram flour based crispies with tangy and spicy curd and mint leaves filling which is served with kachari and tamatar ki chutney. The special Jain menu offers nayaab tikki, Jain samosa and mawa malai tikki for starters followed by methi malai mattar, nigar-e-paneer, vegetable Kolhapuri etc. Jain cuisine, besides being pure vegetarian, also excludes all vegetables grown underground which is onion, potatoes, carrot etc. and that’s how you find a Jain samosa stuffed with raw banana.
Besides dal baati churma, the mainstay of Rajasthani cuisine, it is represented by gatta curry and Marwadi kadhi which is cooked in traditional curd based gravy.
ADVERTISEMENT
The in-house-speciality patra ki sabji, steamed arbi leaves tempered with asafoetida and carom seeds, flavoured with mango powder and tossed with special spices is a must try. However, where Shraman really scores is in its dessert section as it has its own Rajasthani halwai. The stuffed kesari kala jamun dissolves in mouth like ambrosia whereas baked boondi rabri lingers on your palate for a while giving a perfect flavour of cooked milk.