Indian cuisine is one of the most diverse cuisines in the world. Because of the range of climate, culture, ethnic groups in India, Indian cuisine varies greatly by region. Furthermore, because of the huge focus on using local spices, herbs, and produce, Indian cuisine is even harder to define. The cuisine of each geographical region in India reflects their culture and demographics. Religious beliefs are also very important in the cuisine. For example, Vegetarianism is widely practiced in many Hindu, Buddhist and Jain communities. Let’s look at some popular dishes in Indian cuisine.
Curries
There are a variety of curry dishes in Indian cuisine that have a large role. Curries are a complex combination of spices or herbs, often creating a sauce-like dish. A lot of herbs are combined with meats, fish, and vegetables to create a hearty stew mixture. These dishes are typically enjoyed with rice or on their own. Curries have now spread across the world, and are very popular in Britain, where butter chicken is one of the country's most prized dishes.
Samosas
Samosas are fried or baked pastries, with a savoury filling with spiced potatoes, onions, peas, or lentils. This creates a crispy outside that encapsulates a hearty filling. These are a popular entree, appetizer, or snack in Indian cuisine. They are typically served by themselves or with a chutney sauce that you can dip into.
Naan
Naan is an oven-baked flatbread that is popular in Indian cuisine. This bread is traditionally baked in a cylindrical clay oven, called a tandoor. The dough is slapped against the walls of the tandoor, where it is left to bake. This creates a soft and pillowy bread, meant to be consumed throughout the course of an Indian cuisine meal.
Tandoori Chicken
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Tandoori chicken is a chicken dish prepared by marinating chicken in a mixture of yogurt and spice and roasting it in a tandoor. It is typically seasoned with cayenne pepper, red chili powder, as well as tumeric. This creates its iconic red colour. Tandoori chicken can be found in the northern area of India, specifically the Punjab region.
Tea
Tea is a very popular beverage throughout India. It is often enjoyed with meals. One of the most popular preparations of tea is masala chai. Masala chai is brewed in a mixture of milk, spices to create a thick, sweet, milky concotion. Different varities and flavours of tea can be found all around the country.
