An A-Z list of Must Try Indian Recipes To Celebrate Indian Food
I remember the first time I had saved up enough money to go get some Indian takeout while in the UK. After living frugally on mostly cereal for an entire month, I wanted some spice. And then I learnt that Indian Food is not really Indian at all in the UK. Thus began four years of Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Madras and, of course, Vindaloo!
And I am rather fed up of hearing about Chicken Tikka Masala as the ‘must-try’ thing at most Indian restaurants in the UK and a lot of Europe. Especially since Chicken Tikka Masala is not even Indian, to begin with. So, about time we clarified to the world about the myriad actual must-try dishes that the nation can boast of, eh.
Aloo Paratha (Wheat bread stuffed with potatoes)
The quintessential breakfast in all Bollywood movies, slathered liberally with homemade butter, Aloo Parathas are one of India’s most iconic breakfasts. It is packed with carbs and is the ideal way to start the day for the hardworking farmers up north, where this meal is most popular.
Baingan Bharta (Smoked Eggplant in spiced gravy)
This is supposedly Sachin Tendulkar’s favourite food.
I think that should be enough reason to love this power packed dish with smoked and mashed eggplants in a mildly spiced, onion-tomato gravy.
Chutney
Yes, yes, we know the world loves the Mango chutney! But Patak’s Mango chutney is not what REAL Indian Chutneys are about. Available in a variety of forms, the chutney is the perfect Indian dip. It is especially great with the next item on our list!
Dosa
If Aloo Parathas are the north Indian dream breakfast, dosas rule the roost down south. Crispy crepes served with spicy lentil curry and chutneys of so many varieties! No yummier way to start the day.
That’s like a four storey building!
Egg Curry (Boiled Egg in a Spicy Gravy)
Every Indian family has an Egg Curry recipe, that they will claim is the best in the world. Amazingly versatile, the egg curry can be found on a Keralaite breakfast table with Idiyappams, or for lunch with hot rice and poppadams or in the evening with soft wheat breads (roti).
Filter Coffee (Freshly Ground Coffee made using a special steel filter)
The Ethiopians may have their special brews, the Colombians may claim the coffee as their own, but there is nothing that compares to the feeling of piping hot filter coffee served in steel tumblers for an Indian. The filters themselves are a treasured memory of grandmothers, misty mornings and gorgeous aromas.
Gulab Jamuns ( Deep Fried Dumplings in Sugar Syrup)
It’s not a stretch to call this India’s favourite dessert. Most households across the length and breadth of the country have tried this recipe at least once in their life.
And now we are doing fusion desserts a favour by pairing hot, hot Gulab Jamuns with ice cold ice cream. YUMMM!
Hyderabadi Biryani (Spiced Meat Layered with Fragrant Rice)
Layers of rice and spicy meat sealed with a dough and cooked with the heady notes of saffron, a meal fit for the kings. And no, it’s nothing like the stuff you get in Tesco and Sainsbury’s. The real deal is orgasmic!
Idiyappam/String hoppers
A specialty from God’s own Country, Kerala, this light, soft hopper is great with stews and curry’s and is rather versatile in the fact that it can make an appearance at any meal time. But it is most preferred for breakfasts and is made using a special equipment to form the thin strings of rice flour.
Jalebi (Deep Fried Pretzel in Sugar Syrup)
Love pretzels? You will adore Jalebis! Another dish popular across India. It’s crunchy, sweet deep fried goodness is often dipped in cold yoghurt and consumed as breakfast. Yeah, no one would want oatmeal after this!
Karimeen Fry (Pearl Spot Fry)
Up until now, we haven’t featured any fish recipes, but India’s coastal states are huge on fish. There are families where people refuse to eat food without an accompaniment of their regular fish fry or fish curry. This pearl spot fish found in God’s Own Country, Kerala, is a delicacy. The super soft fish takes on the masalas flavour and is a delight with some brown rice and local toddy!
It’s the perfect accompaniment to your tipple. No more Vindaloo after a bite of this!
Lassi (Yoghurt Drink)
Did you know that sales of washing machines in Punjab went up drastically? It’s because the innovative Lassi makers figured that instead of painfully hand churning it themselves, they could get the machine to do it for them. And contrary to what you may imagine, they are super clean and super effective.
Available in sweet and salty forms it can give red bull a run for their money in energy provision quotients. You can also add your favourite ingredients to it and make it your own.
Murghir Bhorta (Ground Chicken cooked in a spicy gravy with mustard oil)
The world and even India views the Bengali’s as essential fish lovers. But when they do a chicken curry, they sure know how to do full justice to it!
Chicken, ground into a paste and fried with a host of spices in mustard oil, on a low flame, for the longest time, and finished off with a drizzle of raw mustard oil, for that extra kick.
Nothing like the M for Madras Chicken or the ever favourite Chicken Tikka Masala, this one is what Indian flavours are all about!
Nankhatai (Indian Shortbread Cookies)
Long before we Indians taste our first cookie or shortbread, we are acquainted with Nankhatai, or ‘Bakery Biscuit’ as it was called in my household. Available in sweet and salty versions, this is the ultimate crumbly accompaniment to that seaming hot cup of Chai. (Tea and scones anyone?)
Obbattu (Flat bread stuffed with sweetened lentil)
Karnataka is one state with wildly different tastes. From the coastal delicacies of Mangalore to the spice-heavy dishes of states closer to Maharashtra the flavours are beautifully different. But this sweetened roti is popular all over the state and even in others too. Obbattu that my friend’s mom used to make, made our day when we were faced with boring office lunches. It’s very similar to the Puran Poli popular in Maharashtra.
Paneer Makhni (Cottage cheese cooked in a cashew nut gravy with butter)
This has to be the vegetarian Butter Chicken. Cottage cheese cooked in butter, with a cashew nut based gravy. ‘Nuff said! Popular across the north and south of India, it’s the kind of dish that your Mom would make when it’s a special occasion or when guests come over. And this recipe is for the curve conscious, so, win-win!
Qubani Ka Meetha (Apricot Sweet)
An Iftar and Ramadan favourite, this sweet packs a punch. Made out of apricots, it’s ideal for that burst of energy when you know you are not going to eat anything the whole day!
Rasgulla (Cottage Cheese Balls in Sugar Syrup)
If you ever visit Kolkatta, your taste buds are in for a treat. Spicy street food, stalls after stalls of desserts, very Bengali chaats and a population that loves it’s food. But nothing defines a Bengali sweet tooth quite like the Rasgulla.
Cottage cheese sweetened, rolled into balls and dipped in a syrup that is soaked up, to create the ultimate spongy dessert. Nothing will prepare you for that instant gratification you will feel with the first bite…
Samosa (Pastry stuffed with a spiced filling)
Samosas are to Indians and tea, what scones are to the British. A hot cup of spiced tea, the monsoon rains and piping hot samosas; those are the stuff of dreams! Available in a variety of fillings, and used in chaats too, the Samosa is something Indian’s simple cannot live without. And it is so not like the cold, unappetising stuff you get at takeaways or supermarkets! This particular recipe, is how a real chicken samosa tastes like.
Thayir Sadam (Curd Rice)
India is hot! At least most of it is, for most parts of the year. So there comes a time when you want something light, cooling and delicious. The Thayir Sadam or Curd Rice is just that. Rice cooked and mixed with yoghurt, mustard seeds and veggies, this is the recipe that combines ease, health and nutrition. What more could you ask for?
Upma (Spiced Porridge)
When guests make an announced appearance in early mornings (which was fairly common up until a couple of years back), Mom would whip up an Upma in under ten minutes. It became the bane of my existence when I was in college because the ease meant it was a fairly regular thing in a hostel full of girls. But over the years, I have learnt to appreciate it too. Maybe because now MY friends too make unannounced appearances demanding food.
Vada Pav (Indian Burger)
Popularly known as the Indian Burger, this is the ultimate Maharashtrian street food. Spiced Potato Fritters in spongy buns with a chutney sauce. Delicious!!
Warqi Samosas (Phyllo Pastry Triangles)
A little different from the samosas we talked about earlier, Warqi samosas are made with phyllo pastry and are almost like flat spring rolls. But like the samosa, it’s a fairly popular tea time snack. There, now you know the British aren’t the only ones who love their tea and snacks!
Xacuti (Chicken Cooked in Spiced Ground Coconut)
Goan food is known for its coastal influence. And this coconutty, spicy dish is testament to that. A bite into this dish is sure to remind you of the sun, the sands and more!
Yakhni Biryani (Mildly Flavoured Biryani)
If you thought Biryani’s had to be super rich and loaded with spice, The Yakhni Biryani is bound to surprise. Mildly flavoured, this is a winter favourite.
Zafrani Golda Chingri (Creamy Tiger Prawns infused with Saffron)
Zafrani, means anything with saffron in it. Which also means pure indulgence. This particular one adds another indulgence to the luxurious saffron; tiger prawns. Popular in West Bengal, this creamy delight is what decadence is all about!
There! 26 dishes. Not one Vindaloo, Tikka Masala or the incongruously named Madras! Try some of these quintessential Indian dishes the next time you fancy something Desi. And I promise you, you will thank yourself for branching out.
For more delicious desi and non-desi recipes, check out more food blogs.
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