In Wakhi culture, when someone passes away, people make a special dish called Sherikh. This dish is more than just food; it's a way to remember and honor the person who has died. But here's the beautiful part: the dish is shared with everyone in the village, not just kept within one family. By giving Sherikh to neighbors, the community comes together, helping each other through the tough time of loss.
It's a heartfelt way to say, "We're in this together," and it shows just how close-knit and caring the Wakhi community is.
Rich in flavor and tradition, Wakhi cuisine offers a unique culinary experience. One such gem from Wakhi's treasure of recipes is Sherikh, a delightful dish that combines the sweetness of apricots with the savory goodness of butter and spices. In this blog post, we'll be diving into the step-by-step process of making Sherikh, so you too can bring a piece of Wakhi tradition into your kitchen.
Apricot juice (referred to as 'Chamos' in the Wakhi language)
Butter
Salt and spices
Milk
Flour
Start off by making apricot juice, known as Chamos in Wakhi language. This sweet and tangy juice will bring a unique taste to our Sherikh.
Next, we move on to melting the butter. This will provide a rich, savory base for our dish.
Now, add salt and your choice of spices to a pot of milk and mix well. This will help to infuse your Sherikh with a depth of flavor.
Once the butter is melted and your milk is nicely seasoned, combine them together. This will create a rich, creamy mixture that forms the base of our Sherikh.
Next up, it's time to make the dough. Do this by slowly adding your Chamos and butter-milk mixture to the flour. Handle the dough gently to ensure it doesn't become too tough.
After the dough is ready, shape it into rotis - round, flat discs that will form the body of our Sherikh.
Before we move on to cooking, make patterns on the sides of your rotis with your hand, and in the middle with a fork. Not only does this give your Sherikh a lovely aesthetic touch, but it also helps the dough to cook evenly.
We're almost done! Now, deep fry your beautifully patterned rotis until they're a delicious, golden brown.
The Finishing Touch: Serving Your Sherikh
And there you have it - your very own Sherikh, ready to be enjoyed. Share this traditional Wakhi delight with your loved ones and see their faces light up with joy. Bon Appetit!