How to Decipher an Indian Restaurant Menu

Indian food is regarded as one of the world's top cuisines. Its spicy curries, oven-baked tandoori and rich masalas offer a range of taste as varied as the sub-continent itself. If you feel a mouth-watering affinity to Indian food but can't decipher the menu in the restaurant, follow a few steps to break through the last barrier to world-class cuisine.

Instructions

1. Check out the starters. Samosas, pankora and chaat are some of the most common foods found as appetizers on Indian menus. Samosas are flavorful fried pastries that are stuffed with things like paneer (cheese), minced meats and vegetables. Pankora are tasty pieces of cubed meat, vegetables and cheese deep fried and served in a way that is similar to fritters. The famous Indian chaat is simply a small savory snack. Most restaurants have their own take on chaat, so ask the waiter what their specialty is for an appetizing savory snack.

2. Get to the breads. One of the most delectable parts of Indian eating is the array of fine breads. You will likely see the word "roti," which is simply a Hindi word for bread. Look at the selections of naan, kulcha and poori. Naan, one of the tastiest and most traditional of Indian breads, is a soft, yeasted round bread with a fluffy, absorptive texture that is used to sop up curries. Poori, on the other hand, is deep fried and crispy and is best savored on its own or with some sweet and spicy sauce.

3. Learn about tandoori. Tandoor is one of the staples of Indian cooking. A tandoori oven is a clay oven that evenly bakes the food and gives meats, especially, a fiery red color. Oftentimes tandoori dishes have other appellations such as "tikka," which simply refers to the preparation of the meat which is, in this case, cubed and skewered. Fish, chicken, beef and even some vegetable dishes can be cooked in the tandoori oven for an earthy and healthy flavor.

4. Check out the main courses and curries. Curries are often associated with the term "masala," which simply refers to a variety of different kinds of spices, herbs and curries ground up together and added to water to make a sauce. Vindaloo is a popular Indian dish that is mixture of red wine and garlic, often served with broiled pork. Saagwala is a mild cream spinach that is often found on Indian menus. Also, achar is a light meat dish that uses tomato, onion and spiced pickles to cook chicken or beef.

5. Indulge in the condiments and sweets. Chutney is an Indian essential that is used to flavor the food and cool the fiery spices of the curries. Chutney can be made from fruits, vegetables and even spices like coriander and mint. Other sweet flavors on an Indian menu include the lassi, which is a sweet fruit and yogurt drink that will also help ease the spice. And, for desert, try kheer, a light and sweet rice pudding, or kulfee, which is an Indian form of homemade ice cream that is made from condensed milk.