Traditional Indian food is a vibrant blend of flavors, aromas and cultural traditions that have evolved over thousands of years. Each dish carries a unique set of spices, ingredients and cooking techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. Indian cuisine is amazingly diverse, with each dish reflecting regional characteristics and traditions.
Biryani
Biryani is another classic dish that has become a symbol of Indian cuisine. It is a flavorful pilaf cooked with spices, basmati rice and meat (most often chicken or mutton). Biryani is prepared in different regions of India, and each of them has its own peculiarities of cooking. Hyderabad and Lucknow biryani are some of the most famous variants of this dish.
Tandoori
Tandoori is a traditional cooking method in which meat, fish or vegetables are marinated in spices and yogurt and then baked in a tandoor, a clay oven. The most popular tandoori dishes are tandoori chicken and paneer tikka – pieces of cheese baked with spices.
Dosa
Dosa, a thin crispy pancake made of rice and lentil flour served with chutney and sambar (spicy lentil soup), is one of the most popular dishes in South India. Dosa can be plain or stuffed, such as with potatoes (masala dosa).
Samosa
Samosas are triangular patties filled with potatoes, green peas, spices and sometimes meat, which are fried until golden. Samosas are a popular street food served with various sauces and chutneys.
Daal
Daal is a lentil-based dish flavored with garlic, ginger, tomatoes and spices. Daal is the main source of protein in Indian vegetarian cuisine and is served with rice or naan bread.
Naan and roti
Naan and roti are traditional Indian flatbreads that are often served with curries and other dishes. Naan is cooked in a tandoor and roti is cooked in a frying pan. These breads are soft, flavorful and perfect with spicy dishes.
Chiken tikka masala
One of the most famous Indian dishes around the world. It is tender pieces of chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, then baked in a tandoor and stewed in a thick tomato sauce with cream. This dish combines the bright flavor of the spices with the soft texture of the sauce, making it incredibly popular.
Rogan josh
A traditional Kashmiri dish based on mutton. Rogan josh is made with yogurt, garlic, ginger and a host of aromatic spices such as cardamom and cloves. The sauce of this dish is usually deep red in color due to the use of Kashmiri red pepper.
Palak paneer
A popular vegetarian dish consisting of chunks of paneer cheese cooked in a thick spinach sauce with garlic, ginger and spices. Palak paneer is often served with rice or naan and is one of the most favorite vegetarian dishes in India.
Vindaloo
This dish originally came to India with the Portuguese colonizers, but over time became one of the traditional Indian dishes. Vindaloo is made of meat (most often pork) with vinegar, garlic and a lot of spices. It is one of the spiciest dishes in Indian cuisine.
Alu Gobi
A vegetarian dish of potatoes and cauliflower cooked with spices such as turmeric, zira and coriander. Alu gobi is simple and full of flavor, it is an everyday dish often prepared in Indian families.
Chana masala
A chickpea dish cooked in a thick tomato sauce with garlic, ginger and a whole host of spices. Chana masala is served with rice, naan or other types of Indian bread. It is one of the most popular dishes in Indian street food.
Malay sweater
It is balls of potatoes, paneer cheese and spices that are fried and then stewed in a thick sauce based on tomatoes and cream. Malay kofta is a gourmet dish often served at festivals and family celebrations.
Pakora
An appetizer consisting of vegetables (most commonly onions, potatoes or spinach) fried in a batter made of chickpea flour and spices. Pakoras are a popular treat served with chutney and masala tea.
Puri
Deep-fried wheat flour flatbreads served with various curries, vegetables or sweet dishes. Puri are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and are a traditional breakfast or snack dish.
These traditional dishes are just a small part of India’s gastronomic wealth. Each region, each village and even each family has its own unique recipes that make Indian cuisine one of the most diverse and interesting in the world.
