Maharashtrian meals are scientifically planned and cooked -
the golden rule being that the cooking medium must not be seen. The
vegetables are more or less steamed and lightly seasoned so as to retain
their nutritional value. There is almost no deep frying and roasting.
Coconut is used in cooking and as an embellishment.
Jaggery and tamarind are used in most vegetables or lentils so that the
food has a sweet and sour flavour while the 'Kala Masala' (special blend
of spices) is added to make the food piquant. As opposed to the coastal
cuisine, where fresh coconut is added to the dishes, in the Vidarbha
region powdered coconut is used for cooking.
Distinguishing features of the Varadi cuisine are the dishes made of 'Besan' (gram flour) like 'Zunka Bhakar' and 'Pathawadi' and the Vada-Bhat. Non-vegetarian food is also very popular in this region. As seafood is not easily available over here, chicken and mutton are commonly cooked.
The people of Maharashtra are known for aesthetic presentation of food. In formal meals, the guests sit on floor rugs or red wooden seats and eat from silver or metal 'Thalis' or plates and bowl, placed on a raised 'Chowrang', which is a short decorative table. To avoid mixing of flavors, each guest is given a bowl of saffron scented water to dip fingers in before starting to eat the next delicacy.
In Maharashtra, even an everyday meal consists of several
accompaniments that are set out in a particular manner in the 'Taat'
(platter). The "Taat Vadhany" (method of setting food on the
platter) is an art. It starts with a bit of salt at the top centre of the
Taat. On its left is set a small piece of lemon. Then follows the 'Chatni'
(spicy accompaniment made of ground coconut and green chillies),
'Koshimbir' (salad), and 'Bharit' (lightly cooked or raw vegetable in
Yoghurt) in that order.
The vegetable with gravy never precedes the dry vegetable because the
gravy will run into it. Once everyone is seated the women of the house
will serve the rice, pour a little 'Toop' (clarified butter) and 'Varan'
(lentil) on it and then the meal begins after a short thanksgiving.
A Marathi meal is not complete without 'Chapatis' or 'Bhakri' (Jawar or
Bajra Roti). Chapatis usually go with 'Bhaji' or fried vegetable, which is
usually a combination of one non-leafy vegetable and a leafy vegetable. A
"Bharleli Vyaganychi Bhaji" (Brinjal) for example, is generally
served with a "Pale Bhaji" (a leafy vegetable like Methi or
Spinach). As in south India, in Maharashtra too every meal is winded up
with curd rice or buttermilk.
A wide array of condiments like pickles and 'Papads' are also served
along with every meal. Maharashtrian meal is incomplete without Papads,
which are eaten roasted or fried. A typical feature is the Masala Papad in
which finely chopped onions, green chillies and Chat Masala are sprinkled
over roasted or fried Papads.
Maharashtra also has its share of awesome desserts like 'Kheer', 'Shrikhand' and 'Basundi', and with the advent of the festive season one can find a plethora of goodies in every Maharashtrian home.
During a festival the presentation of food becomes even
more elaborate. The platter or Taat is adorned with various patterns of
Rangoli and white flowers around it. Food is served amidst devotional
chants and the fragrance of incense sticks, in order to create an
auspicious ambience.
The most popular dessert of Maharashtra is the "Puran Poli",
which is a 'Roti' stuffed with a sweet mixture of jaggery and gram flour
and is made at the time of the Maharashtrian New Year.
During Ganesh Utsav, every Maharashtrian welcomes Lord Ganesh into his
home and offers "Modak" - a favorite sweetmeat of Lord Ganesh
that is made only during this festival. Shrikhand, a sort of thick yogurt
sweet dish, is a great favorite at weddings and the Dussehra festival.
Traditionally, a wedding feast has to have five sweet delicacies, of which
a "Motichur Laddu" (sweetmeat balls made of gram flour) is a
must.
Some of the choicest Maharashtrian festival dishes are "Khamang
Kakdi", "Masala Vangi" (Stuffed Brinjal Fry), Cauliflower "Vatna
Rassa" (Cauliflower Curry), "Varan" (Dal), Mixed Bhajis
(mixed vegetables deep-fried), etc.