
India is more than just a country; it’s an entire civilization. The subcontinent is home to an ancient and complex society, and its many cuisines are a delicious mosaic of foods, flavors and ingredients.
Indian Cuisine: A Background
The typical Indian meal might consist of a meat dish, a vegetable dish, rice or bread, a simmered dal, and a cooling yogurt raita. Often one or two different chutneys are passed as a sort of condiment to the dishes. All this could be followed by an exotic sweet such as gulab jamun. Finally, a whole clove to refresh the breath, and a cup of hot spiced tea to aid in digestion.
The climates and cultures of India determine the nature of regional dishes. The northern parts of India are wheat country. Bread of all kinds accompanies meals. In the torrid climate of the south, rice grows best and is on every plate.
Indian cookery takes seriously the health and medicinal effects of ingredients. Turmeric serves as an antibacterial and digestive aid. Certain spices are thought of as hot or cold, most suitable for particular seasons. And onions and garlic help preserve food in the sometimes torrid climate.
Here are some of the hallmarks of the major culinary traditions of the Indian subcontinent.
Bengali
On the eastern coast, Bengali cuisine offers spicy fish dishes. Its “burnt milk” sweets are renowned across the country.
Goan
On the western coast, Goa state is famous for its coconut fish curries and pork vindaloo. The starch of choice in Goa is rice.
Gujarati
Gujarati cuisine excels in vegetarian fare. The use of dal (Indian lentils and beans) and vegetables is taken to a high art. Yogurt and butter enrich dishes.
Kashmiri
At the foot of the Himalayas, Kashmiris dine on lamb, goat, chicken and dried fruits. A side dish similar to cottage cheese, called chaman, often accompanies meals.
Maharashtran
Maharashra is the home state of Bombay, now known as Mumbai. Meat dishes are very popular, and Bombay street food is considered some of the best.
Mughlai
The royal cuisine of India’s moghul past. The Mongols swept down from Asia in the middle ages and installed a regime in India that affected Indian cookery indelibly. Mughlai cooking is what you are most likely to encounter in fine Indian restaurants. It is sumptuous, buttery and rich. A wide variety of meat dishes predominate. And servings are sometimes garnished with silver leaf and flower petals.
Punjabi
This northern province presents the world with the miraculous offerings of the tandoor oven. Tandoori chicken and naan bread are two dishes to emerge from this firey clay roasting vessel. The fresh cheese curd called paneer is common in Punjabi recipes.
Rajasthani
This “state of princes” hones close to its royal past with its rich, lavish fare. Meat dishes are a specialty.
Southern India
The tropical, humid south produces the spiciest of Indian food. Rice, vegetables, peanuts and coconut are cooked with very little fat and served on a fresh green banana leaf.
Typical Indian Dishes
A list of typical Indian dishes and foods. Use it to help you plan a Indian-style meal, party or festival.
Appetizers and Snacks
- Bhelpuri (Puffed rice snack)
- Kothimbir Vadi (Savory cilantro cakes)
- Murukkus (Pretzel-like fried crackers)
- Pakora (Vegetable fritters)
- Panipuri (Stuffed puff bread)
- Pappadum (Pea-flour crackers)
- Samosas (Deep-fried potato pastries)
Soups and Stews
- Mulligatawny (Curry soup)
- Mysore Rasam (Tomato-lentil soup)
- Sambar (Spicy lentil stew)
Salads
- Kachumber (Tomato and cucumber salad)
- Rajma Chana Salat (Kidney bean and chickpea salad)
Eggs and Dairy
- Dahi (Yogurt)
- Ekuri (Parsi scrambled eggs)
- Paneer (Fresh cheese)
- Raita (Yogurt condiment)
Poultry
- Murgh Dopiaza (Chicken with onions)
- Murgh Ilaychi (Cardamom chicken)
- Murgh Masala (Chicken masala curry)
- Murgh Tikka (Yogurt marinated chicken kebabs)
- Murgh Tikka Masala (Grilled chicken in masala curry sauce)
- Tandoori Murgh (Yogurt marinated and broiled chicken)
Meats
- Baffat (Goa pork curry)
- Biryani (Layered meat and rice dishes)
- Dhansak (Lamb and lentil stew)
- Husaini Kabob (Grilled skewered lamb)
- Kofta (Spiced meatballs)
- Moghlai Kabob (Ground spiced lamb skewers)
- Rogan Josh (Lamb in spiced cream sauce)
- Shahi Korma (Indian lamb in a creamy nut sauce)
- Vindaloo (Vinegary pork dish)
Fish and Seafood
- Jhinga Goa Curry (Shrimp in spicy coconut curry)
- Jhinga Kari (Shrimp curry)
- Kerala Fish Curry (Fish in a tangy coconut curry)
- Mustard Prawns (Shrimp with mustard seed)
- Pakki Hui Machli (Fish baked with coriander paste)
- Patrani Machli (Fish curry baked in banana leaves)
Vegetables and Beans
- Aloo Dam (Potato curry with yogurt)
- Aloo Gobi (Potato and cauliflower curry)
- Aviyal (Vegetable curry)
- Baigan Bhurta (Indian eggplant and tomatoes)
- Bhindi Bhaji (Fried okra)
- Dal Makkhani (Black lentils)
- Gobi (Spiced cauliflower)
- Matar Paneer (Curried peas and cheese)
- Moong Dal (Simmered mung beans)
- Pav Bhaji (Bombay-style mashed vegetables with a bun)
- Saag (Spiced spinach)
- Sabzi Bhindi (Fried okra with cumin)
Breads and Grains
- Appam (Rice flour pancake)
- Biryani (Layered meat and rice dishes)
- Chapati (Wholewheat flatbread)
- Dosa (Crispy lentil crepe)
- Idli (Steamed rice cakes)
- Kesar Chaval (Saffron rice)
- Kulcha (Savory stuffed bread)
- Naan (Baked flatbread)
- Paratha (Skillet-fried flatbread)
- Puri (Deep-fried puff bread)
- Pulao (Aromatic rice)
- Uppama (Semolina with vegetables)
Sauces, Condiments and Oils
- Bombay Duck (Fried dried fish condiment)
- Dhanya Chatni (Cilantro chutney)
- Garam Masala (Spice blend)
- Ghee (Clarified butter)
- Corom Chatni (Mango chutney)
- Jaggery (Unrefined palm sugar)
- Imli Chatni (Tamarind sauce)
- Piaz ka Chatni (Onion chutney)
- Podina Chatni (Mint chutney)
- Sambar (Spicy lentil sauce)
Pickles and Preserves
- Am ka Achar (Mango pickle)
- Nimbu ka Achar (Lime pickle)
Desserts
- Balushahi (Fried dough in syrup)
- Barfi (Nut sweets)
- Besan Laddu (Sweet chickpea flour balls)
- Gajar Halwa (Sweet carrot pudding)
- Gulab Jamun (Fried cheese balls in syrup)
- Jalebi (Deep-fried dough with sugar syrup)
- Kheer (Rice pudding)
- Paan (Betelnut leaf digestif)
- Rasmalai (Sweetened cheese balls)
Beverages
- Chai (Spiced tea)
- Falooda (Basil seed milkshake)
- Lassi (Yogurt drink)
- Nimbu Paani (Lemonade)
- Sharbat (Fruit beverages)
Breakfast
- Sambar (Spicy lentil stew)
Indian Recipes
Try these recipes from India.
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