Askali: The idlis of Himachal
The cuisine of Himachal is a treasure house of a lot of unique and mouth watering dishes. In this blog i am introducing you with one of the pahari delicacy which is known as "askali".
Askali's are one of my personal favourites and i have grown up relishing them from childhood. Though only a handpicked dishes of the himachali cuisine are known to the general public which mainly includes Siddu, Madra, Babru, Sepu Badi and two three more dishes.
But askali too is one of the very popular household dish made in the Sirmaur district of Himachal. Though it is bit difficult to describe this dish. But, askalis can be explained as small cakes which are consumed as a bread to eat sweet as well as savoury dishes. The recipe of askali is very simple, as it is made with a moderately thick batter of either the wheat flour or rice flour or refined flour or a combination of the flours. The batter is kept to rest for some time. The batter is poured into the moulds of hot stone dish. The stone dish is covered with a lid for few minutes and then the askali's are ready to serve.
The stone dish and the cooking on the traditional chulah is what which makes this dish so special.
A askali dish on a chullah
Despite having interest in food, didn't know about askali. Would definitely like to try this out.
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