Despite the fact that India is a vast country with a number of different cultures, there are a few foods that are only found in India. These include butter chicken, gulab jamun, haleem and samosa.
Gulab jamun
Whether you are a child, young or old, you will surely enjoy the taste and texture of Gulab Jamun. It is a traditional dessert from the Indian subcontinent that is enjoyed at many events. In fact, it is known to be an integral part of the ‘Seva’ – the sweets served during Indian celebrations. The name comes from two words – Gulab – meaning’sweet’ and jamun – ‘doughnut’.
Gulab Jamun is a milk-based dessert. Its main ingredients are milk solids and flour. The fried balls are soaked in a light sugar syrup flavored with rose water and saffron.
Samosa
Known for its triangular shape and filling, samosa is an Indian snack. The filling is usually made from vegetables, spices, and potatoes. This snack is enjoyed all over India, especially during tea time. Samosa can be found in street stalls and restaurants.
Samosa is an ancient recipe that has been adapted throughout the world. It was introduced to India by Central Asian traders in the 1300s. The recipe changed as time went by, but the basic fried snack is still a favourite.
Dosa
Originally called dosai, dosa is a breakfast food served in India. It is made with whole rice, lentils, and fenugreek seeds. The process is similar to crepes.
First, grind the rice and lentils to a smooth batter. Then, add water to the batter until the batter is the desired consistency. Finally, allow it to ferment at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. You can also add salt to the batter before or after fermentation.
After the batter has fermented, you can start cooking your dosas. You can use a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan. Do not forget to brush the dosa with a bit of oil or ghee before cooking it. This helps to distribute the batter and produce a more even result.
Chaats
Basically a street food, Chaat is an Indian dish, tangy, spicy, and often sweet. Chaat can be eaten as a snack, or as a meal. It is served in a variety of ways, from a puffed base to a stuffed bread. The chaats can be made from vegetables, lentils, chickpeas, and fruits.
The main vegetables used in chaat dishes are boiled potatoes and onions. Other ingredients that are commonly used include yogurt, chutneys, and garnishes. Traditionally, the chaat is topped with fried gram flour (sev) or tortilla chips.
Thandai
Traditionally, thandai is served during the Indian festival of Holi. The drink is made of milk and is colored with saffron strands and rose petals. This drink is a cooling drink during the hot summer months in India. It is also traditionally served around Mahashivratri, the festival of Lord Shiva.
In order to make thandai, you will need to combine saffron strands, milk, and spices. The milk should be heated until it becomes a boil. Then it should simmer for a few minutes.
Parathas
Across the Indian subcontinent, the layered flatbread called paratha is a common staple. It’s eaten as a tea time snack or as part of a meal. These breads are made from finely ground whole wheat flour and ghee. They are often stuffed with vegetable or dal fillings. Parathas are also served with curries and condiments.
The most common paratha fillings are mashed potatoes or dal, but it can also be filled with vegetables like cauliflower or fenugreek leaves. The fillings are stuffed between the layers of paratha dough to produce the flaky, crisp texture of the paratha.
Haleem
Depending on where the dish originates, different spices may be used to give it a particular flavor. Some of the spices that are used include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper and cumin.
Meats are usually included in the dish, but vegetarian varieties are also popular. The meat in the dish is cooked for a long time, making it a nourishing meal. It is often eaten as a side dish to rice or flatbread.
It can be eaten at any time of the year, but is especially popular during the Ramadan festival. Muslims break their fast with a bowl of haleem. Haleem is usually served with lemon wedges, fried onions and coriander leaves.
Butter chicken
Whether you are cooking Indian food at home or in a restaurant, there are some key ingredients that will make the dish more delicious. One of these is butter, which adds a glossy finish and rich, buttery flavor.
Another one is garam masala. This spice mix contains cumin, cardamom, and pepper. It’s used in a wide variety of Indian dishes. You can make it yourself or buy it ready-made.
Whether you’re cooking at home or eating at a restaurant, you’ll be happy to know that it’s possible to make a decent butter chicken. The key is to make sure that the sauce is smooth, silky, and not too spicy.
