A COUNTRY known for its lush landscapes and architectural wonders, India is equally popular for its rich, flavourful food that are steeped in spices, making everything taste ‘oh so nice’.
From its creamy delicacies such as cashew-infused chicken korma from the royal courts to street foods including burrito-like kati rolls of Kolkata, or the stuffed flatbreads called parathas in Old Delhi ... there is something for everyone.
Seasonings including cardamom, cayenne, tamarind, chilli and other spicy ingredients can create mouth-watering combinations ... and according to researchers Anupam Jaina, Rakhi N Kb, and Ganesh Bagler from the Indian Institute for Technology in Jodhpur who studied hundreds of recipes, the fewer the flavour pairings, the better the dish – and the more it is loved by all.
In fact, India ranked fifth in a list of best global cuisines in 2022 by Taste Atlas and some of the favourite dishes that have captivated culinary palates are the following:
u Masala Dosa: A popular South Indian crispy crepe, made using fermented rice and lentil batter, filled with potato masala. Mix each bite of the breakfast treat with spicy sambar and coconut chutney to kick-start your day. There are different types of dosas as well.
u Pani Puri: These crispy, hollow, fried dough balls (puri), stuffed with boiled potatoes or steamed moong sprouts or boiled chickpeas or white peas curry and topped with spicy tangy water (paani) and a sweet chutney, is an immensely popular Indian street food. It is a favourite chaat snack for many. You can either dip the stuffed puri in a bowl of paani or pour some paani inside it using a spoon or a ladle. The common choice is to use the sweet chutney with another kind of paani.
u Dal Makhani: This New Delhi meal is a relatively modern variation of traditional lentil dishes; it is made with urad dal and other pulses, and includes butter and cream. It also contains a good number of rajma (red kidney beans) that add to the overall bite and texture. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl.
u Chicken Makhani: Traditionally known as murgh makhani, this mouth-watering Indian curry is made with a spiced tomato gravy, plenty of butter (makhan) for that creamy texture and spice, with marinated chicken typically cooked in a tandoor.
u Gulab Jamun: This is one of India’s most cherished desserts made from deep fried balls of milk-based dough soaked in sugary syrup. It literally translates to ‘rose berries’ named after its sugar syrup that is scented with rose water. The fried dough balls are a similar size to a dark purple berry known as black plum or java plum. It’s often served during weddings, birthdays, festivals and parties too.
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