How to Eat Authentic Indian Cuisine

Indian restaurants in the United States customize their cooking to suit the American palate. Even though different chefs show slight variations, authentic Indian cuisine uses specific spices and follows the traditional cooking methods without compromising on the taste and preparation. Here are some pointers to enjoy authentic Indian cooking.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chickpeas
• Rice flour
• Coconut
• Mint
• Peanuts
• Onion
• Coconut milk
• Coriander
• Peppercorn
• Cumin
• Chili powder

1. Savor regional appetizers such as pakora, samosa, cutlets and bonda that are made with chickpea or rice flour, vegetables of your choice and Indian spices. Meat lovers can enjoy chicken pakora that is marinated in rich spices and deep fried in oil for crispiness. Try papads or lentil chips that come with different spice flavors.

2. Relish the taste of Indian cuisine with chutneys that are made with a fresh concoction of herbs and spices. The authentic choices of chutneys are coconut, mint, peanuts and onion. They go well with idlys and dosas that are made with fresh rice batter poured into shapes over a griddle and steam cooked.

3. Order vegetable puree side dishes that are known as bharta or curries for the main course. These are cooked with vegetables such as tomato or eggplant sautéed in onion, ginger and garlic paste blend with South Indian spices like coriander, peppercorn, cumin and chili powder. They have an authentic smoked flavor and are severed with Indian bread.

4. Enjoy vegetable dishes with whole wheat Indian breads. These are called roti, naan, phulka or paratha depending upon their consistency and thickness. The breads are made in large metal pots called tandoor or in iron cast griddles called tawa. These breads are also deep fried into a dish called poori, which is traditionally served with chenna masala or chickpeas.

5. Choose medley of fresh vegetables cooked in coconut milk and spices such as pepper, turmeric, cumin, coriander and chili. These go well with steamed white rice and bread. Similar cooking techniques are used for chicken, lamb and prawns. Popular ones are chicken tikka masala and butter chicken served in small metal pots or kadai.

6. Finish your Indian meal with desserts that are made with milk, butter and sugar. Desserts that are authentic to Indian cuisine are payasam made with rice noodles or lentil, gulab jamun made with flour, deep fried in oil and soaked in sugar syrup and rassagollas made from creamy cottage cheese and sugar water.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask for medium spice if you are not used to eating Indian curries and spices.

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