Indian Cuisine: 10 Must-Try Traditional Indian Dishes

 

One of the most well-liked and commonly consumed cuisines worldwide is Indian food. Indian food includes a wide variety of curries, rice dishes, meats, veggies, and breads, all of which are seasoned with a variety oftraditional Indian spices.

 

Despite the fact that regional and state-specific specialties differ, spices and flavors are generally comparable no matter where you are in the world.

 

India has close ties to the island of Sri Lanka and borders China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Particularly in positive ways, those nations are strongly influenced by one another.

 

India's Most Popular Dishes

 

Since a large portion of India's northern regions are vegetarian, many of the most creative vegetable recipes come from these regions.

 

Rice, tomatoes, potatoes, lentils, chickpeas, onions, and yogurt are staples in Indian cuisine.

 

 

The majority of common Indian recipes typically contain a combination of some or all of these spices. Curries, rice dishes, fried pastries, roasted meats, and breads are some of the most popular Indian cuisines.

 

So, without further ado, here are the top Indian foods you must eat, along with the recipes.

 

1.     Biryani

 

Although it may sound nearly cliche, biryani is actually one of India's most well-liked dishes. In fact, it was chosen as the most popular dish in the nation in 2019. An estimated 95 biryani orders were placed every minute!

 

Despite the fact that the precise spice combination can differ from one state or region to another, this tasty rice dish packs a powerful punch. South Indian biryani in particular has a reputation for being spicier than its Northern counterparts.

 

Egg, mutton, vegetarian, boneless chicken, paneer, and chicken dum biryani were a few of the more well-liked varieties of biryani.

 

2.   Tandoori Chicken

 

The flavor profile of this meal is very diverse. This is partly because of how it is prepared in tandoor ovens, which are clay ovens. Meat that has been cooked produces a luscious, smokey product. Of course, the marinade greatly enhances the flavor as well.

 

Yogurt, tandoori masala, cumin, and nutmeg make up the marinade. The chicken is skewered after being covered in the seasonings, and it is then baked until done.

 

3.   Spiced Tea

 

India consumes 837,000 tonnes or so of tea annually, according to estimates. Most frequently, individuals sip masala chai, a spiced variation of this tea. Each tea merchant may employ a different combination of spices. However, the majority of the time, spices like cardamom and ginger are added.

 

Chai wallahs, or street vendors, are frequently used to purchase tea, especially when going to and from work. The drink's most recent addition is the blended Camellia sinensis fannings. Spices were only combined for medicinal purposes before the British invaded India.

 

 

 

4.   Masala Dosa

 

Although it originates from Southern India, this dish is popular all throughout the nation. A thin flatbread resembling a pancake called a dosa is made of fermented rice and black gramme beans.

 

The pancake's filling is referred to as the "masala." Potatoes sautéed with onions and mustard seeds make up the majority of this dish.

 

5.    Dal Makhani

 

 

Although it originated in Punjab, this cuisine swiftly spread throughout all of India, especially among vegetarians. And it is simple to understand why when you think about its constituents.

 

 

The major ingredients in this recipe are entire black lentils and red kidney beans. They are prepared in a ghee-, ginger-, garlic-, and chili-seasoned tomato-based sauce. The dish's named ingredient, the butter, is the pièce de résistance. Ghee may occasionally be used in its place.

 

6.   Gulab Jamun

 

 

There are many sweet delicacies to savor in Indian cuisine, so it's not just about the spices. The number one item is gulab jamun. This dessert is technically referred to as rose water plum.

 

This is in reference to the gulab jamun's plum-sized size and the distinct rose water flavor of the syrup it is drenched in.

 

 

 

 

7.    Lassi

 

Wonderful yogurt-based beverage called lassi. It may be sweetened with fruit or contain herbs and mild spices, depending on how it is made. The beverage is frequently chilled and goes well with hotter foods. Lassi is also relished during the summer months.

 

 

8.   Idli

 

Idli is typically consumed at breakfast. They resemble flat, little cakes and are made from fermented rice and lentils before being steamed. They are also a highly full meal and the ideal way to start the day because they are high in protein.

 

 

9.   Samosa

 

These pastries are the ideal snack because they are deep-fried, crunchy, and tasty. They frequently have a triangular form and might have a filling of either savory meat or vegetables. Hot samosas are offered for optimal flavor. They frequently come with chutney or a chilled yogurt dip.

 

10.    Vada pav

Because of its influence on regional cuisine, vada pav vendors are a necessary part of Maharashtra's streets. A potato patty, a chili, and other spices are combined to make the vegetarian dish vada pav, which is then wrapped in a pav. What started out as a straightforward and affordable snack has since gained enormous popularity in India.

 

 

 

 

Simply because there are so many different Indian cuisines, it can be challenging to list them all. Indian cuisine is diverse and abundant. The dishes mentioned above, however, win the prize for being some of the nation's most cherished foods and beverages.