Bengali cuisine, for example, features dishes like macher jhol (fish curry) and rasgulla (a popular dessert). Mustard oil and panch phoron (a blend of five spices) are commonly used to enhance flavors in Eastern Indian cooking.
Western India, including states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, has a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Maharashtrian cuisine Takeout Indian Restaurant Hoboken NJ offers spicy delights like vada pav and pav bhaji, while Gujarati food is known for its sweet and savory combinations, such as dhokla and thepla. Rajasthan, due to its arid climate, has developed unique dishes like dal baati churma, which require minimal water usage.
Common Ingredients in Indian Cooking
Indian food is made using a variety of ingredients that contribute to its distinctive taste and aroma:
Spices: Turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, and garam masala.
Grains: Rice, wheat, millet, and lentils.
Dairy: Ghee, butter, yogurt, and paneer.
Vegetables: Potatoes, tomatoes, okra, spinach, and eggplant.
Legumes: Chickpeas, lentils, black gram, and kidney beans.
Meat & Seafood: Chicken, lamb, goat, fish, and prawns.
Popular Indian Dishes
Vegetarian Dishes
Paneer Butter Masala: A creamy tomato-based curry with paneer.
Chole Bhature: Spiced chickpea curry served with deep-fried bread.
Baingan Bharta: Roasted and mashed eggplant cooked with spices.
Palak Paneer: Spinach curry with soft paneer cubes.
Dhokla: A steamed savory cake made from fermented rice and chickpea flour.
Non-Vegetarian Dishes
Butter Chicken: A rich and creamy chicken curry with a tomato base.
Rogan Josh: A Kashmiri lamb curry with aromatic spices.