Indian food is rich in spices and flavors. You can cook with lentils and other ingredients to get a different taste, and it’s easy to create a balance of flavors. While Indian cooking has some very spicy dishes, the majority of it is relatively mild and kids can enjoy it too.
Typically served with rice, a classic Indian dinner will include a meat or seafood curry, as well as a salad or chutney. These dishes are usually accompanied by a naan or flat bread. Another favorite Indian dish is samosas. Samosas are savory pastries that are typically made from a mixture of chickpeas and potatoes. They are often eaten hot with a tamarind chutney.
If you’re looking for a meat-free meal, you can make a vegetarian version of Biriyani. This popular Indian food recipe is believed to have originated in the 1600s, when Mughal culture introduced variety to the cuisine. Biriyani is prepared with basmati rice and vegetables. It is a great meal for a family or a large group.
Tandoori chicken is a popular dish from India. The meat is marinated in yogurt and spices before being cooked in a tandoor clay oven. This smoky, grilled chicken is juicy and delicious. Aside from the traditional recipe, you can also serve this dish with a tandoori mixed grill, which combines chicken, shrimp, fish, and lamb.
Another dish you can prepare with the same basic ingredients is rogan josh. The rogan josh recipe calls for chili peppers and naan. When you’re making this dish, you can serve it as an appetizer or as part of your main course.
Besides meat and seafood, you can also find some wonderful vegetarian dishes in Indian food. Many of them are based on lentils and rice, or on spices and vegetables. You can even make a vegan version of a few of them. Traditionally, dal is a buttery, smoky dish, but you can make a creamy version with coconut milk and sweet potatoes. Saag paneer is another popular dish, and you can use mustard greens instead of spinach.
Various Indian foods are made with fermented rice and lentils. The idli dish is a popular breakfast food in many parts of India. Traditionally, idli is made with toor dal, but you can also make it with other types of lentils. Idli can be enjoyed on its own or dipped into a sambar, a traditional Indian vegetable stew.
In addition to these classic dishes, you can experiment with a wide variety of other recipes. Try making a thali, or a collection of many different dishes that are served on one plate. This is a fun way to explore the different varieties of Indian food. Some popular dishes on a thali include samosas, aloo gobi, rogan josh, and a variety of vegetarian curries.
You can also try a variety of sweet dough fritters. Sweet dough fritters are made from dense batter. The process of preparing them is quite simple, and they are popular in India. Often, you’ll see them being sold on the street.