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Indian Food: Most Popular ArticlesThese articles are the most popular over the last month. North Indian Recipes These are some of the most popular North Indian foods in both homes and restaurants. Hot Favorite Vegetarian Foods Veggie foods we love..and you will too! These are some of most searched for and most loved Indian vegetarian recipes. They are not just favorites among Indians. People all over the world enjoy them and some of them have iconic status...well almost. Garam Masala Recipe An easy recipe for fragrant, flavor-enhancing garam masala. Popular Indian Snacks Feeling nibbly? Feed that urge with some of India's most famous snacks. Butter Chicken This dish is among the best known Indian foods all over the world. Its gravy can be made as hot or mild as you like so it suits most palates. Butter Chicken tastes great with Kaali Daal (black lentils), naans and a green salad. Malai Kofta A dish for special occassions, Malai Kofta is the vegetarian alternative to meatballs. It goes very well with naans (tandoor-baked flatbread) or Jeera Rice. Recipes For Beginners Recipes of easy-to-cook foods for those just getting started with Indian cooking. Tasty Party Snacks A list of easy, tasty Indian party foods to serve at your next get-together. Chicken Tikka Masala The word Tikka means pieces, chunks or bits. Chicken Tikka Masala is a delicious dish in which pre-marinated pieces of chicken are grilled and then added to a thick creamy gravy. The result is a lovely smokey flavor. Serve Chicken Tikka Masala with hot Naans (leavened Tandoor-baked flatbread). Naan Serve this delicious bread straight from the oven, with popular dishes like Tandoori Chicken or kebabs of different kinds. The dough for Naans needs to be made in advance so factor that into the preparation time. Rajma (red kidney bean curry) This dish is extremely popular not just in North India but elsewhere as well. Serve Rajma with plain boiled rice, Kachumbar salad and your favorite pickle. Palak Paneer Another hot favorite North Indian dish! This mildly flavored dish is super healthy too. If Paneer is not on hand or you want a dairy-free option you can also use tofu or veggies like cauliflower or potato. Ande Ki Curry There are several different styles for making Egg Curry and this recipe is North Indian in origin. Serve Egg Curry with a vegetable side dish and rice. Mughlai Biryani A regal dish, Mughlai Biryani is fit for a king and was probably eaten by many too! Here is the recipe... Gajar Ka Achaar Pickled crunchy carrots make a terrific accompaniment for just about any meal. I love to eat this Achaar (pickle) with plain rice and yogurt! Bhindi Ki Subji This simple dish tastes great with hot chapatis (Indian flatbread) or parathas (pan-fried Indian flatbread). Team with a dish like Rajma (red kidney bean curry) and you've got a terrific vegetarian meal. Mutter Paneer This North Indian curry made with mutter (peas) and paneer (cottage cheese) is probably the most frequently ordered dish in Indian restaurants. Make it in your home and you've got a sure crowd pleaser! Lentil Recipes Lentils form an important part of any Indian meal. Here are the recipes for some of the most popular ones. Masala Kheema Kheema or mince can be made with any meat you prefer. It is extremely versatile and just changing the masala can result in a great new taste each time. Masala Kheema tastes delicious with Chapatis (Indian flatbread) or Parathas (pan fried Indian flatbread). Lemon Rice This South Indian dish is easily put together when you are in a hurry. You can also make it with leftover rice. Serve Lemon Rice with a Raita (yoghurt salad) and Poppadums for a simple yet tasty meal. Chole (chickpea curry) Serve this crowd pleaser piping hot and accompanied by pooris/bhatooras (fried Indian bread). Fish Curry This curry is truly delicious! I say so with such confidence because I grew up eating it - this is my mom's recipe. The ingredients used to make it show a mix of both eastern and northern Indian culinary influences. Serve it with piping hot plain boiled rice. Popular Indian Dishes They're among the most ordered dishes in any Indian restaurant. Want to cook them in your kitchen? Get the recipes here... Gobhi Aaloo Mutter Ki Subzi This is a simple, wholesome dish that is perfect when served with hot Chapatis (Indian flatbread) or Parathas (pan fried Indian flatbread). It makes for a quick and easy meal on those days when you can't be bothered spending hours in the kitchen. Summer Drink Recipes As the temperature around you soars, cool off with these summer chillers! Mint-Coriander Chutney This basic chutney is perfect for using as a dipping sauce with cutlets and samosas or to serve with main course dishes like biryani. Kheer (rice pudding) This creamy rice pudding is delicately flavored with cardamom and full of nuts. It's a great dessert for anytime of the year. In south and east India versions of it are made for certain festivals. In the South, Kheer is called Payasam and in the east it is known as Payas. Tandoori Chicken Among the most famous Indian foods, Tandoori Chicken is loved by people the world over. The nicest thing about this dish though, is that it's really easy to make! Once you've got the basic recipe for Tandoori Masala (recipe below), prepare and store it so you can cook Tandoori Chicken anytime you feel the urge to eat some. Paneer Recipe How to make your own paneer (cottage cheese). Ras Malai Probably my favorite dessert, Ras Malai is dumplings made from cottage or riccotta cheese soaked in sweetened, thickened milk delicately flavored with cardamom. Serve it chilled and garnished with slivers of dried fruit. Mango Lassi (yogurt drink) The perfect cooler, Lassi is a huge favourite in the North. Samosa A famous Indian snack, Samosas can be probably be found anywhere in the world! They're a lovely snack for a cold day when you're just a little more than nibbly and a little less than hungry. Bharwaa Laal Mirchi Ka Achaar This pickle sounds fiery but it is a classic case of more bark than bite! The best part is, it's easy to make. Lehsuni Daal Made with masoor daal (orange lentils) this dish is simple and very tasty. It is in fact almost a staple in most homes. It makes a great accompaniment for plain boiled rice and a vegetable or meat dish. The recipe makes enough for 2-3 servings. Vada Pav Straight out of the heart of Maharashtra in Western Indian, Vada Pav has iconic status in India. It used to be "poor man's food", but these days even the rich and famous can be spotted eating it at Bombay's (Mumbai) numerous roadside food stalls! Tandoori Masala Make this popular masala ahead of time and store in an air-tight container. Creating a tasty meal will then be a simple matter of marinate and grill! Tomato Rice Of South Indian origin, tangy Tomato Rice makes a great one-dish meal. Serve it with poppadums. Fresh Prawn Pickle The Goans from western India are experts at pickling different types of meat and fish. Here is a simple recipe for a delicious pickle made with fresh prawns. It tastes great with boiled rice. Peas Pulao Also known as Yellow Rice, this dish is a great accompaniment for any main course, be it vegetarian or meat-based. Chicken Tikka The word Tikka means bits, piecces or chunks. Chicken Tikka is an easy-to-cook dish in which chicken chunks are marinated in special spices and then grilled on skewers. Kaali Daal - Daal Makkhani Another popular North Indian dish, Kaali Daal is also known as Ma Ki Daal (mom's lentils) since it is wholesome and delicious! Serve Kaali Daal with a vegetable side dish and Naans (tandoor baked flatbread) or Butter Chicken and Naans. Masala Daal This tasty dish goes just as well with hot Chapatis as it does with plain boiled rice. Throw in a salad or a veggie dish and you've got the perfect vegetarian meal! Jeera Rice (cumin rice) A variation on plain boiled rice. Beginner's Guide A beginner's guide to cooking Indian food. Bhelpuri A snack with almost iconic status in Western India, bhelpuri is low-fat, nutritious and delicious! What more can one ask for? Indian Food - Recipes An index of Recipes for the Indian Food guide site. Tandoori Paneer Tikka Soft, juicy chunks of paneer marinated in Tandoori masala and then grilled with veggies! This is a great dish to serve at your next barbeque. Tempered Lentils This easy to cook dish is so tasty it is among the most popular Daal dishes in India. Cook it and you'll see why... Hara Bhara Kabab A tasty alternative for those who love kababs but are vegetarian, Hara Bhara kabab gets its name and green colour from the healthy spinach in it. Indian Chip and Dip Ideas At your next party or get together or even on an evening in front of the TV, do chip and dip Indian-style. Make plenty, because everyone's sure to love it! Mango Kulfi This recipe for this delicious dessert is so simple, kids can make it! Goan Fish Curry Almost the staple food of Goa along with rice, fish curry made in this style is tangy and spicy! Tuna tastes especially good in Goan Fish Curry but you can also use any fish with firm white flesh. Kofta Curry (meatball curry) The koftas (meatballs) in this dish can be made with beef, lamb or chicken. It makes a great meal when served with jeera rice and kachumbar salad. Microwave Kalakand When I first learned how to cook this delicious dessert, I was so taken up by how easy it was, I made it every excuse I could find! You'll see why if you try it. Mint Chutney Veggie Sandwich This easy, tasty snack can be put together in a flash. It's perfect for picnic meals and kids lunchboxes. Mughlai Paratha Make a meal of this wholesome and tasty Mughlai-style stuffed bread. Serve it with your favorite chuntey. Dosa/ Dosai Dosas (crispy savory pancakes) from South India are a staple food in their home region. In the rest of the country too, they are hugely popular and Udipi restaurants serving them and other South Indian foods can be found in almost every suburb! Learn how to make them with my easy recipe. Top Bengali Sweets If the popularity of Rasgulla, Sandesh and Mishti Doi is anything to go by, the Bengalis from Eastern India sure know a great deal about sweet making. Here are some of their favorites that are also among India's best loved desserts. Curd Rice (yoghurt rice) This is truly comfort food! Curd rice from South India tastes great with just a pickle or chutney and also with a daal (lentils) or meat dish. Tamarind Chutney This tangy chutney can be used as a dip or stir-in sauce for numerous Indian snacks. Bhajias Also known as Pakoras, these are the perfect snack for a cold, rainy day! Make up a batch and serve them with sweet-sour tamarind chutney. Use any vegetable you like. Aam Ka Achaar (mango pickle) There are countless versions of mango pickle in India with each region having its own host of recipes. This one is from the Northern state of Uttar Pradesh and is often eaten with stuffed parathas(Indian bread) and yoghurt. Palak Paratha This delicious and nutritious Indian bread tastes great with yogurt and Aam Ka Achaar (mango pickle) or Andhra Tomato Pickle. Seekh Kabab These delicious kebabs can be made with any minced meat you like, but I like lamb best. Serve them with green Mint-Coriander Chutney. Reshmi Kabab This delicious kabab gets its name from the juicy, succulence of the meat used to make it. The meat gets this way thanks to the marinade in which it is soaked. Serve it with Mint-Coriander Chutney, thinly sliced onions and hot Naans (tandoor-baked Indian flatbread). Lachcha Paratha This style of paratha turns out crispy and with several layers. It is the perfect accompaniment for any thick-gravied dish. Chaat This has to be the most popular North-Indian snack! Vendors literally crowd the streets selling all kinds of delicious variations of chaat in this part of the country. Chaat parties are also popular and a great alternative to a sit-down dinner. Step-by-step instructions Dosas (crispy savory pancakes) from South India are a staple food in their home region. In the rest of the country too, they are hugely popular and Udipi restaurants serving them and other South Indian foods can be found in almost every suburb! Learn how to make them with my detailed step-by-step tutorial. Coconut Chutney (south Indian) This mild chutney is the perfect companion for idlis (south indian steamed rice cakes), dosas and uttapams(south Indian rice pancakes). Paneer Kabab This simple dish can be made ahead of time and grilled quickly when you're ready to eat. It also makes a great appetizer. Sarson Ka Saag This typically Punjabi (North Indian) dish tastes really nice with Makki Ki Roti (Indian maize flatbread) and a dollop of fresh butter. Most Popular Chicken Dishes Due to religious reasons, a lot of people in India do not eat beef. For the very same reason, a lot do not eat pork. This makes chicken a very popular meat indeed. Some of India's most popular foods are chicken based. Here are some of them... Chicken Saagwala This dish combines chicken with spinach and the end result is a tasty, nutritious and healthy dish. Team it with hot Chapatis (Indian flatbread) or Parathas (pan-fried Indian flatbread). Eggplant Recipes This is my absolute favorite vegetable! I cook it by itself and add it to other dishes to enhance their flavor and nutritional value. Eggplant is made in numerous different ways in India. Here are just a few of them... Aaloo Paratha (potato paratha) Extremely popular with North Indians, these are best eaten with chilled yoghurt and your favourite pickle or chutney. Want to be naughty? Aaloo parathas taste delicious with fresh, thick cream or a knob of unsalted, home-made butter! Rogan Josh The literal translation for the name of this dish from Kashmir is 'red lamb'. The colour comes from the Kashmiri dry red chillies used in it. Steamed Momos (wontons) This Sikkimese appetizer is delicious and easy on the conscience too! You can fill it with any minced meat of your choice. Momos are usually served with a fiery Sikkimese tomato chutney and a clear soup called Thukpa. Gulab Jamun This popular Indian dessert has countless fans! Learn how to make it. Rasgulla There aren't too many Indians who haven't eaten a Rasgulla and remembered it fondly! That's just the kind of magical dessert it is! Try it... Organize an Indian Theme Party Everything you need to know so you can throw the best Indian theme party ever! Caramel Pudding This easy-to-make pudding is popular all over India but made especially well by the Parsis, Mangaloreans (both from Western India) and the Anglo-Indians. Get the recipe here. North Indian Desserts These desserts may be North Indian in origin but they're known and loved worldwide. The reason for that is pretty obvious when you taste them! Malai Prawn This creamy prawn curry is a north Indian delicacy. Eat it with Jeera Rice. Chana daal Lentils and beans are a huge part of the Indian diet. Most meals include them and recipes for how to cook them abound. Learn to recognise them with my handy photo gallery of Indian daals and beans. Chettinad Chicken From Tamilnadu in South India, this curry is quite fiery. There's no reason why you can't reduce the chillies to suit your own palate though. Chettinad chicken tastes great with parathas (bread) and even plain boiled rice. Dry Spinach Curry Quick to make and good to eat is the perfect caption for Palak Ki Subzi! This is a tasty vegetable dish and it is full of good nutrients too. Paanch Phoran This uniquely Bengali (east Indian) spice mix is used to season many dishes. It is a blend of five (paanch) spices and lends a lovely aroma when added to a dish. Gaajar Ka Halwa This delicious, rich pudding loaded with nuts and dried fruits is well-known all over the world. It is normally eaten warm so it tastes really good combined with vanilla icecream. Jhatpat Khaana by Nita Mehta In a hurry? This is the book for you. Jhatpat Khaana is full of vegetarian recipes you can make real quick. Deciphering the Menu Never get stuck at an Indian restaurant wondering what to order, what goes with what else and how hot a dish might be, again! Here's a handy guide to help you get the meal you want the next time you step out to eat Indian food. Basic Indian Gravy Most gravied Indian dishes have certain ingredients in common, so preparing and storing one when you have some spare time is a great idea. Here's the recipe... Andhra Tomato Pickle This pickle is so tasty it can be eaten with just plain boiled rice! The Cuisine of North India A look at North Indian cuisine. South Indian Cuisine A look at the cuisine of South India. Paneer Recipes In India, cottage cheese is the perfect alternative for vegetarians! Paneer (the name it is known by in India), is often homemade in big blocks (not runny as in the rest of the world) and then cut into cubes or slices. Its delicate milky flavor easily absorbs and adapts to the flavors of other ingredients used in a dish with it. As a result, it is very versatile. Here are a few of my favorite Paneer recipes. Enjoy! Shahi Falooda This delicious, chilled dessert is perfect for the summer. It used to be very popular in Mumbai (Bombay) and its surrounding cities, but is now well-known and loved all over India! Making Chapatis - Step 1 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Sindhi Kadhi This tangy curry is traditionally made by the Sindhi community. Serve it with a long-grained, fragrant rice like Basmati. Since it's full of vegetables and made with tomatoes and gram flour, it's also nutritious. Making Chapatis - Step 15 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Sambar Serve Sambar piping hot with Idlis, Vadas or just plain and simple boiled rice. Dhokla This nutritious snack from Gujarat in Western India is popular all over the country. Serve it with Tamarind and Mint-coriander Chutneys. Navratan Korma This delicious Mughlai dish gets its name Navratan (meaning nine gems) from the nine different veggies, fruit and nuts used in it! Serve it with hot Naans and you're sure to impress! Methi Paratha Healthy and yummy all in one neat little package! What more can you ask for? Serve Methi Parathas with chilled yogurt and a pickle of your choice. Prawn Biryani Make any occasion even more special by serving this delicious one-dish meal - Jhinga Biryani. Indian Okra Recipes Bhindi, also known as Okra and Ladyfinger, is a versatile and easy vegetable to cook. It is also one of my top favorites veggies. Here are some delicious dishes you can make with it. Paani Puri This snack is not just delicious, it is also fun to make and eat. Call friends over and make a whole heap! Making Chapatis - Step 4 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. About curry powder About curry powder and what it is used for. Kurkuri Bhindi (crispy okra) Eat this okra dish with plain boiled rice and your favorite Daal (lentil dish) and you've got a tasty and nutritious meal. Goan Recipes Food is a huge deal in Goa! Its position on India's lush, green western coast means there is abundance of fresh fish and seafood. Pork is a hot favorite too. Hours are spent preparing delicious dishes from recipes often passed down through generations. Lobia (black-eyed bean curry) Serve this tasty and healthy bean dish with piping hot plain boiled rice, Kachumbar and your favorite pickle. Kala Punjabi Chana Sookha Kala Chana is easy to make and tastes really nice as a snack or side dish in a main meal. The Chana is also an excellent source of protein. Making Chapatis - Step 3 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Mughlai Chicken This is a dish for special occasions - not for any other reason except that it is rich! Its mild, thick, creamy gravy is inspired by the food of Central Asia and came to India during the rule of the famous Mughal dynasty. Cook and eat it and you will feel like royalty yourself! Making Chapatis - Step 2 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Making Soft Chapatis A quick tip on making really soft chapatis. Kadhai Gosht Serve Kadhai Gosht with hot Chapatis (Indian flatbread) or Naans (tandoor baked Indian flatbread). Jalebi This sweet is a hot favourite on any special occasion be it a birthday, wedding or festival. Jalebis though mostly eaten by themselves, can also be soaked in warm milk. Making Chapatis - Step 10 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Sabudana Vada (sago patties) This snack from Maharashtra in western India is great for cold, rainy days as an accompaniment to hot Masala Chai (spiced tea)! Making Chapatis - Step 11 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Cham-Cham I've heard of them being called "Pleasure Boats" and know people who use the name as a term of endearment for their loved ones! Not surprising because Cham-Chams are truly delicious and very sweet indeed. Cham-Cham is a typically Bengali (east Indian) sweet. Poha From western India, Poha, made from flattened rice, is an easy-to-cook, nutritious snack. It is often eaten for breakfast or brunch. Add extra zing to Poha by serving it with Mint-Coriander Chutney! Time Saving Cooking Tips Cut down on cooking time with my handy hints for saving time in the kitchen! Bharvaan Bhindi (stuffed okra) Serve Bharvaan Bhindi as the perfect crunchy accompaniment to plain boiled rice and a Daal (lentil dish) of your choice. Besan Ka Laddoo Besan Ka Laddoo is an all-time favourite and made on several special occasions and festivals. The trick to getting this sweet right is in browning the besan (gram flour) perfectly. Making Chapatis - Step 6 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Making Chapatis - Step 9 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Making Chapatis - Step 7 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Moong Daal Halwa This rich, delicious dessert has an unusual main ingredient, normally associated with savory dishes - lentils. You'd never believe it when you eat it though! Serve Moong Daal Halwa warm with a scoop of vanilla icecream and you'll get many requests for seconds. Chicken Curry This most basic of chicken recipes is also one of the tastiest! Serve Chicken Curry with hot Chapatis (Indian flatbread) or plain boiled rice. Mishti Doi (sweet yoghurt) Mishti Doi is synonymous with Bengal in East India. The Bengalis are famous for their sweet preparations and Mishti Doi is among their most well known desserts. Mishti Doi tastes great but is amazingly simple to make! Making Ghee A recipe for making ghee (clarified butter). Pork Vindaloo Hot and tangy, this dish is from the heart of beautiful Goa on India's western coast. Eat it with plain boiled rice or Jeera Rice and a leafy green salad. Aaloo Mutter If you're in a rush but want something tasty and wholesome to eat, this is the dish for you. You can cook it quickly in a pan and even quicker in a pressure cooker. Making Chapatis - Step 16 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Making Chapatis - Step 5 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Making Chapatis - Step 8 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Stuffed Green Peppers This is another one of those foods that look like they take a lot of time and effort to make but in truth, are easy to prepare. Bharvaan Simla Mirchi can even be stuffed with Masala Kheema (see recipe below). Biryani A world-renowned Indian dish, Biryani takes time and practice to make but is worth every bit of the effort. Fish in Tamarind Gravy The tamarind in this gravy-based dish gives it a lovely tangy flavor that goes really well with plain boiled rice. In fact, that is how it is traditionally eaten. Mirchi Ka Pakoda This is a delicious snack for those of you who enjoy the heat of green chillies! It is perfect when teamed with hot cup of Masala Chai on a cold day. Paav Bhaaji Masala A well-loved food all over India, Paav Bhaaji is actually western Indian (Maharashtrian to be precise) in origin. A mix of veggies is used to make it, so it's healthy too! Paav Bhaji is so wholesome you can have it as a meal. Here's a recipe for the masala used to make this yummy dish. Stir-fried Paneer A tasty version of Anda Bhurjee (stir-fried eggs), Paneer Bhurjee is also a great breakfast dish. It also makes a quick and easy dinner dish when teamed with hot Chapatis or Parathas. Making Chapatis - Step 14 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Kheema Paratha Made Masala Kheema (spicy minced meat) and got some left over? Make Kheema Parathas then. It's meat and bread all rolled into one! Paav Bhaaji A well-loved food all over India, Paav Bhaaji is western Indian in origin. Paav Bhaji is so wholesome you can have it as a meal. It is also a hot favorite Indian street food! Here's the recipe... Sandesh Mishti Satisfy your sweet tooth with this recipe for Sandesh, one of West Bengal's most popular desserts Making Chapatis - Step 12 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. Making Chapatis - Step 13 Chapatis (Indian flatbread) are the perfect accompaniment to most Indian dishes. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step photo tutorial on making Chapatis. |
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