India, another name for land of diversity. The cultural diversity in India is commendable. People from all religions, background and walks of life live here peacefully. All these people bring something meaningful to the table including values, traditions and most importantly food.
Food is what binds people of India together. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Arunachal to Gujarat, each state, each city, each village has a speciality original to them. To taste these delicacies of India, people travel here from all around the world. So many tv shows have been made to educate and appreciate the food India offers. Great Indian Global Kitchen, is one such show, showcasing Indian food with an international twist. Every Indian has atleast 10 local dishes name on their tongue that they always want to eat. Being an Indian, we might sound biased about how great Indian food is but once you taste it, you are not going back. The spices, the variety of ingredients and the aroma of Indian food has the power to overcome every other cuisine in the world. Indians have the ability to even make a simple khichadi exotic and delicious.
Indian food is nothing less than a complete package ranging from extra sweet jalebi rabri to extra hot curries, India has everything. Every corner of India has something delicious and unique to offer and Travel Art offers to make your journey to each desired food stop comfortable and worry free while on a road trip to India, You can avail Luxury Bus on hire in Delhi from Travel Me Good and enjoy the India food during your road trip. So here are 17 top food dishes of India that everyone should try:
1. CHOLE BHATURE- The big fluffy crown of Punjab, Chole Bhature is one of the favorite breakfasts which turns into brunch with a glass of sweet lassi. Chole or chickpeas are made with tonnes of whole spices making it aromatic and tasty going perfectly with the big fluffy and fried bhaturas made with refined flour sometimes also stuffed with panner to make it better. The chole or chickpea curry also comes with a big piece of spiced and fried potato which compliments the entire dish. Chole bhature are served with a side of pickle and onion salad.
2. IDLI SAMBHAR- The pride of South India, Idli Sambhar is one of India’s favorite breakfast. Simple idlis are served with tangy sambhar. The idlis can be made of several batters like rice, rava and lentils. The base of sambhar is made from whole red chillies, lentil and curry leaves. Further ading vegetables and spices to enhance its taste. Idli sambhar is served with coconut and tomato chutney. The perfect beverage for this perfect breakfast is authentic filter coffee. The indians are often creative with the leftover idli and spice it up to make variations like fried idli, masala idli and also chinese idli as a fusion dish.
3. DHOKLA- A snack from the western state of India, Gujarat. Dhokla is made from a batter of rice and chickpea. The better the fermentation of the batter, the better dhoklas will turn out. They are soft and usually yellow in color. They are a popular snack typically served with hi-tea. The dhoklas are well complimented with a whole fried green chili on them. To add variation, dhokla sandwich, white dhokla, chinese dhokla to name some.
4. SARSON KA SAAG MAKKE KI ROTI- To simplify, sarson ka sag is a dish prepared from mustard leaves and makke ki roti is an Indian bread made from corn flour. This is a winter specialty from Punjab. It is often served with home made white butter and loads of ghee. To compliment this dish, gajar ka halwa is served after as a dessert. This dish is famous in all over India as this dish reminds one of warmth and love of home.
5. TANDOORI CHICKEN- The much-relished tandoori chicken is one of the simplest preparations of chicken. All one has to do is marinate in a tandoori mixture and cook it in a tandoor. The tandoori mixture consists of several spices and lemon. Since it is neither fried nor sauted, it is a favorite of people conscious about their diet. Tandoori chicken is served with homemade mint chutney and onion salad. Sometimes, a half-cut lemon is served to squeeze over the chicken to increase the flavor.
6. HYDERABADI BIRYANI- This rice preparation is probably the most aromatic in all of rice dishes. Started with all kinds of whole spices and secret spice mixtures ended with a drizzle of caramelized onions, it is one of a kind. Hyderabadi biryani can either be made from chicken or mutton. Boiled eggs are also used to garnish this biryani to increase the taste. The chicken or mutton used, is marinated and then cooked with rice transferring the flavors making the rice and overall biryani scrumptious. The biryani is served with raita to neutralize the chilly flavors of biryani.
7. MASALA DOSA- A south indian dish, enjoyed vastly by North Indians. Dosa is a thin salty pancake made from a batter pf rice and lentils. It is stuffed with a mixture of either potatoes or panner or probably any other thing. The variations in dosa also include chowmein dosa! Dosa is served with a tangy sambhar and coconut and tomato chutney.
8. BUTTER CHICKEN- The most famous and relished chicken curry in all of India. This curry doesn’t need an introduction, it has a fan following of its own. Chicken is marinated in yoghurt and made in a tangy yet buttery curry of tomato, onion, chillies, garlic and all the spices. This curry is flavorful and compliments the chicken really well. Butter chicken is best enjoyed with butter naan or garlic naan or plain rice.
9. DAL MAKHNI- A vegetarians go to lentil is dal makhni. There is probably no one who dislikes dal makhni. It is made from black lentils and kidney beans. It is cooked with tomatoes and a good quantity of heavy cream giving it a creamy thick texture and making it delicious. Dal makhni is mostly enjoyed in North India along Indian breads. It is garnished with cream and coriander making it look and taste amazing and irresistible.
10. DAL BAATI CHURMA- Dal Batti Churma is a delicacy of Rajasthan. It is a dish with three different components. First is dal or yellow lentil curry. Second is baati which is a hard bread cooked in a traditional oven. Third is churma which is a sweet dish made from ghee, sugar and wheat flour. This dish contains lots of ghee making it fatty but it is one of the most favorite dishes in all of Rajasthan. Busways.in will assist you for Mini Bus on hire in Delhi while planning a road trip to Rajasthan and take you to the places which offers Dal Baati Churma.
11. BHAPA ILISH- From the heart of Bengal, this fish curry needs more recognition than it has. The most favorite Hilsa fish is marinated and cooked in mustard paste. It is best served with steamed rice. Cooking this curry properly is very important. Firstly, if fish remains uncooked, it can cause stomach infection and secondly, undercooked mustard curry tastes bitter and makes it hard to eat.
12. PYAAZ KI KACHORI- It roughly translates as as fried onion and potato snack. A pocket of refined flour dough is stuffed with a mixture of well spiced onions and potatoes, sealed properly and then deep fried till it turns golden brown. This kachori is a popular breakfast and sometimes also evening snack. It is best eaten with mint chutney or a sweet imli chutney. Often enjoyed with a hot cup of tea, this is one of north india’s most popular.
13. KEBABS- A delicacy from the land of Mughals, Lucknow, kebabs are a well enjoyed dish in all over India. There is a variety of kebab in every city of India, making it unique and local to that place. Some of the first and most famous kebabs include seekh kebab, galouti kebab and mutton kebabs. Kebabs are prepared using a mixture of minced chicken, mutton or vegetables and then shaped and cooked on skewers on angithi or direct fire. Kebabs are often enjoyed with mint chutney and onion salad.
14. VADA PAV- A special dish from Maharashtra, it is one of the most beloved in the entire state. Vada Pav is a snack made from pav which is an Indian bread and vada which is a spicy fried doughnut made from a lentil batter. The pav is cut in half, topped with gun powder which is a spice mixture, further topped with vada and a fried green chili. Vada pav is often served with green mint chutney which enhances the taste.
15. ROGAN JOSH- From the Northern most state of India, Kashmir, rogan josh is a lamb preparation eaten largely in all of North India. Boneless pieces of lamb are marinated and cooked in a tangy tomato gravy alongside yoghurt, onions and spices. The main spice in this dish is Kashmiri Red chili powder which gives the dish its red hot color. This curry preparation of lamb is often enjoyed with indian breads and rice.
16. MACHER JHOL- Exclusive to the state of West Bengal, it is one of its kind. Cooked in a tangy tomato curry is a must have. The dish is flavored with mustard and cumin seeds. The fish used is a sweet fish, hence the tangy curry balances out the flavors perfectly making it irresistible and completely delicious. This is served and enjoyed with steamed rice.
17. SHEERMAL- The last dish on this list had to be something sweet. The persian influenced Indian bread is a sweet bread oozing with dry fruits and sugar. It is a must have in all the Muslim festivities and functions. It is mostly served in and around Kashmir and Lucknow.
This list covers hardly one perfect of the Indian delicacies. Indian food is made with lots of spices and love rather it be a simple potato side dish or a complex biryani. Worrying about indian hot spices is allowed but not about traveling with Travel Art
