BEST INDIAN DISHES
An important component of our travel experience is food, getting a taste of the local cuisine has fascinated travelers since ages. Food unarguably holds people and cultures together. Not just to satisfy our hunger pangs , bringing out flavors and pleasing the palate as well .
For those who are curious to know about Indian cuisine, here’s a blog on some of the best Indian dishes.
Indian food is well recognized internationally, the variety of dishes and taste is incomparable ! You’ll find a diverse range of cuisines depending upon the region, as India is a vast country comprising of different cultures and states. The spices, ingredients, vegetables and grains natural and healthy.
India being an indigenous producer of spices – from chilly to cardamoms, each of these are used in the correct, balanced proportion for an authentic taste.
Paneer Butter Masala – bursting with intense flavors, this dish comprises of a thick, creamy gravy, tossed with chunks of fresh cottage cheese (paneer in hindi) . The main ingredients in most Indian curries are onions, ginger, garlic, tomatoes and ground spices, and the same goes for `paneer butter masala’ too. An optional item can be cashew paste for a smooth, creamy consistency.
Each painstakingly selected ingredient contributes to the greatness of this dish. Though it does takes time to be prepared, as each ingredient have to be fried and cooked, nevertheless, be assured the results are awesome ! Enjoy this masterful dish with either Indian bread or steamed rice. Variation of this for non-vegetarians is the chicken butter masala. The recipe for both are the same, except instead of paneer, chicken is put ! A garnishing of fresh coriander leaves not just beautifies the dish, infuses a heavenly aroma.
Dal Makhani – made of a combination of different lentils, this main dish has a burst of flavors and is healthy too ! The traditional method of cooking dal makhani, coming down from generations is on a slow wood fire, greatly enhancing the taste, giving it a smoky aroma! Though nowadays that not being possible, still cooking dal makhani is a long process. The pulses have to be pre-soaked and cooked along with turmeric, ginger, salt etc in a vessel ( pressure-cooker is not used for it) . The final tempering in pure ghee and a dollop of cream is what makes this preparation divine.
Laccha Paratha (Indian Bread) – an accompaniment of the above two dishes, this is a form on Indian wheat bread that is made from a special technique. Small portions of the soft dough are rolled out, layered, cooked on a flat pan, and served with a dash of butter on top. The laccha paratha is crispy on outside and tender inside and goes well with any curry or lentils (`dal’ in hindi). Other type of Indian bread is `roti’ which is a staple food and eaten with almost all meals.
Pani- puri – the most popular street food, a favorite of both kids and adults, and an absolutely tantalizing snack ! The lip-smacking pani-puri consists of three items. The deep fried `puri’ is a thin puffed crispy ball, that is filled with spicy, boiled and mashed potatoes or peas, dipped in a tangy water and devoured. The flavorful water is laced with tamarind, mint and coriander leave paste, cumin powder and some other spices. A different form of this dish is the `dahi (curd) puri’, where the filling is of curd.
Ras malai – what better way to round off a delicious meal than by indulging in the palate pleasing dessert (mithai in hindi) `ras malai’ . It’s a royal, irresistible sweet made of cottage cheese balls floating in a flavored, milky syrup. A dash of saffron gives an alluring fragrance.
There’s been an influence of the Mughal period on our food. A culinary masterpiece that intertwines flavours and texture under this category are `tandoori kebabs’. Kebabs are small pieces of previously marinated meat or vegetables, that are cooked on skewers, grilled or fried in a pan. The marinade consists of curd, powdered spices, ginger-garlic paste and chilly. Then there is the melt-in-the-mouth `galouti kebab’ that is made of mince meat, these are excellent starters. A fresh mint chutney, onions and salad completes this platter. Each bite providing a forkful of comfort !
So many regions in India, each having its own cuisine and distinctive tastes. The best Indian dishes have gained considerable fame around the world and are must try!
Dream| Discover | Travel | Bliss
