Wednesday 27 November 2013

Best loved Indian vegetarian food



India is a land of many traditions, but one of the most recognizable and widely loved is the tradition of good food. Indian food is renowned the world over and is known for being spicy and nutritious. India also has a large vegetarian population that ensures that there is a wide variety of vegetarian food available. Although chicken tikka masala is the most iconic Indian dish abroad, the vegetarian dishes are catching up in popularity as well.

Why Indian Vegetarian dishes are good for you:

One of the best features of Indian vegetarian food is that it is very healthy. A wide variety of vegetables is use and various spices add to the flavor. Spices like turmeric, which are regularly used in Indian cooking, are known to have several health benefits.  If you are new to Indian cuisine, read on to find out what are the best loved vegetarian dishes.

The cottage-cheese brigade:

The list of Indian vegetarian food can only start with the famous Palak Paneer. This is a spicy dish made with spinach and cottage cheese. It is best had with Naan, an Indian bread. Another widely loved dish that you will find in almost all vegetarian restaurants is Mutter Paneer. This is a dish with cottage cheese and peas and is milder than Palak Paneer. This is best enjoyed with Pulao, which is rice cooked with assorted vegetables.

The Rich and tasty vegetarian dishes:

Another vegetarian dish that is made on special occasions in Indian homes is Malai Kofta. These are like meatballs but vegetarian, and are cooked in a thick rich gravy made of cashews. Rajma is also a favorite of Indians everywhere. They have such an amazing aroma and flavor that they are best service with plain steamed rice.

The staple homemade wonders:

The menu of vegetarian restaurants in India is incomplete without the Kaali Dal. This lentil soup is a staple in every Indian household. Bhindi is another dish that reminds every Indian of home. Bhindi roti is the quintessential home cooked meal. Aaloo ka paratha is one of the favorite breakfast options in India. It is eaten with butter or pickle. A great option for a starter is the Hara Bhara Kabab. It literally means the kabab which is full of greens. The name itself suggests that it is healthy. Aldo, kebabs are cooked on fire with minimal oil which makes it a tasty treat for someone who is health conscious.

If you think this list of Indian vegetarian food is quite impressive, let me tell you it is only the beginning. There are hundreds of delicious and nutritious dishes that you can try and be blown away. So what are you waiting for? Make a reservation at your nearest Indian restaurant and enjoy these delicacies. And once you are familiar with the taste, you can learn how to make these filling and wholesome dishes in your own home. Indian food once mastered can be extremely easy to prepare. And with its growing popularity, there is no end of online instructional videos and blogs that will help you master the techniques in almost no time at all.

Tuesday 26 November 2013

An outing to a good Indian restaurant

Eating out with your family is an experience that should have absolutely no compromise. When it comes to good food, there is no dearth of options available in the market. In a country like India, food forms a major part of our culture and in this country; the best way to spend time with your loved ones is by eating out at authentic Indian restaurants, and have a food experience of a lifetime.

There are a lot of places where you can go to consume good Indian food, but what is important is to know what you want to choose. Unlike other cuisines, Indian food is very diverse in its offerings. Just like the languages, the choice of meals tends to change from place to place. So before you go out to consume Indian food, it is important that it matches your taste buds.

Due to its cultural diversity, even the smallest of things like the ingredients and the cooking method changes from place to place. If you plan to consume traditional food, it will be a good idea to read up a bit on it first.

For example, in the southern states of India, meals usually consist of rice based preparation and all of the vegetable dishes are prepared in coconut oil. In certain southern states like Andhra Pradesh, the food tends to be extremely spicy. Conversely, in the northern states of India, most meals are prepared in butter and are usually sweeter in taste. The ingredients used to cook meals are also completely different. So, if you have an aversion for any kind of ingredients or spices or cooking methods, you need to make sure that the food you are eating does not consist that. There are a lot of theme based Indian restaurants that cater to a particular type of Indian food, so if you are looking for anything particular, you can visit these places.

If you are going out to a restaurant with your family, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. The primary factor is ambience. The restaurant that you choose needs to have a good homely feel to it. There are a lot of places that serve excellent food, but you cannot take your family to these places as it sports a very different ambience that is not suited for family visits. If you are taking your kids along with you, plan an outing at a theme based restaurant which will keep the kids entertained. A lot of theme based restaurants also serve good traditional food, so you can enjoy a scrumptious meal and get to spend some fun time with your family as well.

Expense can be a slight issue, especially if you are a large group. But if you are the type that doesn’t compromise on a good experience, it is okay to loosen your purse strings for a day. There are a lot of places online where you can avail discount coupons to cut down on the cost of your bill. Make sure to see if there is a discount or happy hour period going on to save up a bit on your bill.

If you are a true food connoisseur, Indian food is a must have for you. And the best place to have good Indian food is at authentic and reputed Indian restaurants where you can dig in and have a wonderful experience!