Even with the popularity of Indian food Stateside, unless you’ve actually been to India, you might not realize that there are many different culinary traditions to explore.
It’s often said that the USA is a melting pot of different world cultures. That much is very true; however, you might not expect the fusion of different cuisines from the international cultures as well. Even with the popularity of Indian food Stateside, unless you’ve actually been to India, you might not realize that there are many different culinary traditions to explore. Here is a quick guide on what to expect!
Rogan Josh
Let’s begin by talking about Rogan Josh. This lamb dish has its origins in Persian cooking. It’s an icon of the states Jammu and Kashmir. It is best served with fresh white rice which is still hot from the steamer.
Aloo Ke Gutke
Unless you’ve visited the local regions of Uttrakhand before, you might not know about this hidden gem of Indian cuisine. If you love potatoes then you are in for a treat – because this dish calls for potatoes to be stir-fried in a variety of enchanting spices. Hillside cucumber yogurt and yes, Indian Chai (tea!) complete the experience that will amaze your taste buds.
Litti Choka
In Bihar, you will find even more intriguing offerings at the “standard” mealtimes of breakfast, teatime, and even lunch. Litti buns are packed with seasoned fried gram flour powder, then baked on coals or in a closed oven. Meanwhile, Choka is a tempting assortment of vegetables – most frequently potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant.
Rasgulla
Rasgulla is also rendered as “rosogulla”; either way, it comes from West Bengal. This traditional dessert consists of cottage cheese dumplings submerged in sugar syrup.
Dum ki Biryani
This variant of Biryani hails from Karnataka. Mughlai and Iranian influences merged while meeting in the kitchens of Nizam. Dahi chutney (made from yogurt, mint, and onion) is a common accompaniment, as is Mirchi ka salan, which is a green chili curry. Plus, you will also be given Baghara baingan (roasted eggplant) as another side dish to round out your meal.
Idli-Sambar
In South India, you’ll find a different way of thinking about Indian cooking. Compare and contrast the different food preparation philosophies found in China – where north and south have different flavors and approaches as well. Idli is a savory cake that is highly favored as a breakfast item. The steamed batter is made from fermented black lentils that have been de-husked along with rice. Sambar, on the other hand, takes the form of a lentil-based veggie stew or chowder using a certain broth. Coconut chutneys, onion chutneys, and spicy fish curries are all commonly served alongside idli-sambar.
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