Indian food is well known for its blend of exotic flavours and mix of spices. Indian cuisine is enjoyed around the world in restaurants and from Indian takeaways. If you are dining out or eating in a restaurant there are a range of dishes and side orders to choose from.
The following guide contains some popular dishes and courses from Indian cuisine.
Indian Starters
Similar to many international cuisines the way Indian food is prepared and eaten is different to British cuisine. Meals are often served on hot grills and are cooked in front of customers in restaurants. Side orders and starters will often be enjoyed throughout the meal and used to accompany sauces.
Naan breads are a popular starter and side dish. Naan breads can have a range of ingredients and flavours baked into them. This can include sweet varieties with cinnamon and coriander included in the dough and more savoury recipes with ingredients such as turmeric and thyme. Naan breads are great for sharing and are a good appetiser.
Onion bhajis are another popular starter and side dish. There are many different recipes for onion bhajis however most recipes contain similar spices used to accentuate the flavour. Traditional spices used include cumin and coriander which are mixed with chillies, salt and pepper to make a mixture. The mixture is then fried to make a crunchy snack to serve alongside a variety of dishes.
Main Courses in Indian Cuisine
When it comes to main courses many people choose smooth creamy dishes while some prefer hot and spicy meals. Whatever your personal taste is a meal can be chosen to fill you up.
Korma is a mild dish that is extremely palatable. Korma is often made using chicken as the main flavour but any meat or vegetables can be used to soak up the flavour and add texture to the dish. Korma can be served with a variety of flavoured rice to accompany the flavour and add more depth to the meal.
Rogan Josh is a fairly mild lamb dish with a rich vegetable sauce. There are several variants of the Rogan Josh sauce, many of which contain tomatoes, turmeric, chillies and cream to create a well balanced flavour. Rogan Josh is traditionally made with lamb although other meats and vegetables can be used to add texture to the meal.
Indian Vindaloo is an extremely spicy dish that is a popular choice on many menus. Vindaloo sauce can be added to a variety of ingredients to create different flavours. Recipes with chicken, pork, beef, lamb and vegetables as the main ingredients are often enjoyed.