Knowing your traditional food

There are some people who eat to live and the others who live to eat. If you fall in the latter category, you do know that the best food available is the one that is cooked using age old and orthodox methods of cooking. And that is the reason why every food connoisseur will gladly tell you that the best cooked food is always traditional food. And that is the reason why in today’s day, a lot of restaurants have been catering to this market.

When it comes to eating out, there are certain things that you need about what you are eating. Going to authentic Indian restaurants is a good idea, but you need to know a bit more about the food before you dig in.

Here are some facts about Traditional food:

There is a lot of diversity in Traditional Food:

If you are looking to consume authentic Indian food in the traditional method, you need to know for a fact that the food, just like the language changes with every different state. A lot of cultural influence goes into the cooking of the food and so, you will finds that the food tastes completely different from one state to the next. So, if you have any particular taste quirks, make sure to read about the kind of traditional food that suits you best before you go ahead and consume it.

Ask your server about Traditional food ingredients:

You may have heard a lot about a particular dish, and you are willing to try it out. But it is also important to know what goes into the making of the food. There are a lot of dishes that use very special ingredients and spices, which you may be allergic to. So, whenever you go to an Indian Restaurant, make sure to ask the server about the ingredients present in the food lest you have an uncomfortable experience post eating. 

Visit specialty restaurants:

There are a lot of places that serve all kinds of Indian food, both traditional as well as modern. Then, there are some restaurants that specialize in particular dishes or styles of cooking. Make sure to visit any such restaurant once. There are also a lot of theme restaurants that serve authentic old style food along with an ambience that gives you a feeling of stepping into a different time. If you are planning to eat out with the entire family, such restaurants will be great in keeping the kids entertained so that you can have a peaceful time. 

Visit during the festive seasons:

The best time to eat Indian food is during the holiday seasons. At these times, the restaurants usually serve special dishes that you won’t get to taste for the rest of the year. Make sure you dig into these dishes. Also, at such times, most restaurants hold discounts and offers to attract more customers. This helps you enjoy a great meal and save up on costs at the same time.

These are a few of the things you need to know if you are looking out to consume good Indian food. Eating good traditional food cooked in the authentic way is an enthralling experience for one and all.

Dine out, dine healthy with Rajasthani and Gujarati food

When the topic of conversation shifts to food, which is invariably does, an Indian national will have the most to talk about and share. Due to obvious reasons, the food in India is as diverse as the people and the landscapes. Like every few kilometers gives birth to a new dialect in language, in the same way, every few kilometers gives birth to a different take on the traditional dishes of the land. Most of Indian food has evolved keeping in mind the availability of vegetables and pulses in that particular region and also the availability of water and the temperatures. However, if one were to bring forward just one or two cuisines of India to talk about, most people would talk about Rajasthani and Gujarati food.

Rajasthani food is the food of the royals. Rajasthan is the desert state of India. But the scarcity of water has not stopped the people of this state to prepare some truly mouthwatering delicacies. The food of the Royals is extremely popular and people from all over the world visit the state and enjoy the cuisine. Rajasthan has a rich history of how methods of food preparation have evolved. Recipes have been passed on from generation to generation and the authenticity of the taste has been well preserved. Right from the soups to the main course and the desserts, every course is a must try!

 

 Gujarati food is also not to be left behind when it comes to popularity. What makes this food truly unique in India, which is the land of spices and oils, is that the food is actually sweet. The people in Gujarat use jiggery and sugar while preparing their food, making it sweet. Another great thing about the food is that it is healthy. It is usually made by boiling or steaming, making it oil-free to a large degree. No wonder it is so popular amongst people!

One thing that Gujarati and Rajasthani food have in common is the sheer variety of dishes they offer. Because of this reason, these two cuisines are extremely popular in Thali restaurant. Every day, a new combination of vegetables, rotis, lentils and rice can be offered to diners. Not only main dishes, but also the side dishes of these two cuisines are extremely popular. A variety of chutneys and pickles ensure that there is incredible aroma and flavor in every bite you take. And due to the vastly different flavors of chutneys, you can mix and match them up and ensure that each bite is one to remember.

So Dive in head first into the incredible world of Gujarati and Rajasthani food. It is sure to be a journey that you will want to take over and over again. This is evident just by looking at the ever-increasing popularity of Thali restaurants offering these foods. Plan an evening with your family or friends, or take someone who is foreign to Indian cuisine and begin the introduction with the two established stars in the genre of traditional Indian food.

Family restaurants put their best foot forward

The concept of eating out has become very popular in the last decade. What used to be a once in a blue moon occurrence has now become a trend. And why not! With so many restaurants opening up serving up delicious and expertly prepared food, it is no surprise that the average family now eats out once every two weeks. No matter what you preference, there will always be something of your liking being offered up at a restaurant near you. And being vegetarian is no longer a handicap; in fact it is in vogue. Because of this there are countless veg restaurants serving up a wide variety of vegetarian delicacies for you to choose from.

Since more and more families now eat out regularly, restaurants cater to their every need. Family restaurants are well equipped to deal with large families, small infants and also elderly folk. But more than all this, restaurants that cater to families have an array of healthy dishes on their menu. A big menu with lots of healthy options ensures that families keep coming back to try new things and also have peace of mind that they are eating food that is fresh and healthy. These restaurants have a completely different philosophy from other restaurants that cater to students or bachelors. And this philosophy keeps attracting more and more customers and these customers soon become regulars.

Veg restaurants are particularly mindful when it comes to using the best available spices and mixtures in their food. Most restaurants prepare these freshly in their kitchen. Chefs know the importance of freshness as it gives the food a taste that nothing else can give.  No matter which part of the country the food is inspired from, the same spices are used. But they are used in such a way that every single state in the country has a different signature flavor. This is the specialty of Indian food. Indians have, after centuries of cooking, perfected the mixture of spices that every region has a distinct flavor even though the same spices are used.

A well-cooked meal loaded with the goodness of vegetables and fresh ingredients is what family restaurants can boast about.  Many restaurants have a dedicated staff that actually goes to the markets themselves to buy the perfect ingredients to ensure the maintenance of quality. They leave bright and early and pick out the best of the best. Their highly trained eyes can spot exactly what they need and ultimately you and your family are the beneficiaries of this devotion. A good restaurant will always put in that extra effort to ensure that you always get the delicious taste that you remember.

No matter what your taste, great choices are everywhere and more and more are opening up soon. So with so many veg restaurants already there and so many more opening, competition is quite fierce, hence you can expect each business putting their best foot forward in terms of providing quality, service and great memories for your family.

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.

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!

Taste the magic of Indian vegetarian food

They say that you are what you eat. A lot of people have started seeing the benefits of eating right and are choosing healthier alternatives and better dietary habits.

There is a lot to choose from when it comes to good vegetarian food. Due to this, many people have started to consume delicious Indian vegetarian food and a lot of new restaurants have started to offer a large variety of dishes.

There are a lot of options in the menu to choose from. Different parts of the country offer different flavors. For example, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, the food tends to be spicy, whereas Gujarati food tends to be sweet and rich in fats.

So, for the food connoisseur, there is a lot to pick from and can easily choose from according to their tastes and preferences. There is a common myth that Indian food is extremely spicy and full of butter and oil which can lead to bad health. This is untrue and as a matter of fact, a lot of Indian vegetarian food is recommended by doctors around the world.

There are a large number of restaurants that offer good Indian food. There is a plethora of restaurants all over that cater to dishes of a particular place. So, wherever you go, you shall be able to find restaurants that offer Gujarati food, Rajasthani food, Punjabi food etc.

Before you plan to dine out, check whether or not that if the food matches not only your tastes, but also your cultural preferences. For example, some Indian dishes contain a lot of potatoes and onions in them and some contain no spices at all.

If you are new to eating Indian food, and are sensitive about your food habits, it is advisable to check out the food beforehand. Most Indian dishes contain a variety of ingredients and condiments that are rare to find in global cuisine and so, it makes for an enthralling experience to try new Indian food.

There are a lot of places that offer authentic Indian food and it is a wise option to go to a franchisee that has a well established brand name. A simple Internet search can help you locate hotels that serve good Indian food in your locality.

There are a lot of benefits of consuming Indian food. For one, Indian dishes are a completely balanced meal. Most Indian food consists of pulses, white rice and wheat, which is a combination of various proteins and nutrients. Make sure to order authentic Indian desserts, which, though rich in fats are a taste to die for!

There are obviously some Indian vegetarian dishes that contain generous amounts of oil or butter, but in most restaurants, you can ask the servers to go easy on the oil as it seldom makes any difference to the taste of the food.

If there is one way to truly discover this country, it is by consuming authentic Indian vegetarian food whose ingredients bring out the true flavor of the country!

How to order the perfect lunch boxes

In our hectic day to day lives, most of the people eat to live rather than live to eat. A growing number of expats and migrants who live and work in urban cities find it hard to consume a balanced meal on a daily basis.

At such times, opting for a pre ordered food is a smart option. A lot of caterers provide services that are targeted for young bachelors or working couples. A simple run through on the internet helps you to find the Lunch Boxes of your choice!

In a country like India, traditional and religious norms play an important part in food. Certain communities can consume only certain types of vegetables or specific meals have to be consumed on certain days. Given the event that you are opting for a caterer, it is essential that you choose a service that provides a tiffin box that is specific to your needs.

A lot of well established restaurant chains offer these services, and hence it always makes more sense to choose these. Hygiene is an important factor as well, considering the fact that most of the food in Lunch Boxes is mass produced.

Cost is again an important factor to keep in mind, so whenever you choose a service, make sure to check what they offer in the meal, the number of times the meal is delivered per day and also, the cost per meal.

Checking for a service provider who gives you a variety of options is a smart choice. For example, certain service providers offer a wide variety of vegetarian meals which are healthy, economical and come in a wide variety. Because eating the same meals over and over is not only monotonous but can also lead to various dietary issues.

Many people shy away, or rather don’t care about specifying their choice of meals. Make sure to mention to your chosen service provider your likes and dislikes. Some people prefer their vegetables to be oil free, while some people like to have meals that are rich in fats. Always make sure to specify your choice as most service providers comply with your taste.

Timing your meals is very essential as it helps your digestive cycle maintain a rhythm. Most doctors advice having your meals at appropriate times. Even if you have three meals a day, eating during odd hours can lead to various health problems like obesity etc.

So, make sure that specify a time to your Tiffin provider and consume it as and when it comes. Re heating packaged meals can lead to the food losing its freshness and nutritious value. As people mostly order their tiffin box to their offices/ colleges, it is advisable to ask the service provider to deliver your meals during the time slot allotted to you for lunch.

When it comes to eating, there should be no compromise on any aspect. All in all, make sure that every lunch boxes that you order is a wholesome meal that is rich not only in taste, but also in the nutritional value that it offers. Bon Appétit!

Indian restaurants have diverse cuisines

A well-balanced, nutritive and correct diet is thus of utmost importance for the maintenance of good health and the healing of diseases. Such a diet obviously should be made up of foods, which in combination would supply all the essential nutrients.

Indian cuisine or Indian food encompasses a wide variety of regional cuisines native to India. Given the range of diversity in soil type, climate and occupations, these cuisines vary significantly from each other and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables and fruits. Indian food is also heavily influenced by religious and cultural choices.

Indian restaurants offer a variety of mouth watering dishes –
Indian Food, it is hardly surprising that a nation of such complexity and sheer vastness has the best varieties of food options. Certainly, Indians are masterful with spices, blending ultimate combinations tailored to each dish. The chef’s utilize ancient traditional ingredients to anchor the menu; dishes are richly flavored and are individually created to please all your distinct tastes. From sweet to salty, fried to boiled, there’s an amazing collection of dishes in Indian cuisine.
Some best features of Indian restaurants include:
•    Warm hospitality,
•    Exotic food flavors,
•    Offers a balanced meal, and
•    Moderate pricing structure.

Indian vegetarian food has different styles of cooking –
Not only does India have a dazzling array of fresh vegetables, each region has its own style of cooking them. Indian cooking is an astounding resource of healthy, economical and delicious new dishes, ingredients, techniques, styles, spices and flavors for vegetarians. Good for the body and spirit, Indian vegetarian food is a favorite in the world.
Some of the popular Indian cooking methods include:
•    Sautéing,
•    Stir frying,
•    Stewing,
•    Steaming, and
•    Binding.

Indian restaurants offer an array of cuisines to indulge your taste buds –
Indian food is different from rest of the world not only in taste but also in cooking methods. It reflects a perfect blend of various cultures and ages. Just like Indian culture, food in India has also been influenced by various civilizations, which have contributed their share in its overall development and the present form.
Indian restaurants has namely four different types of cuisine namely,

•    North Indian cuisine – Food in the north India, to begin with reflect strong Central Asian influences. Most of the dishes are prepared around the main course of the menu.
•    West Indian cuisine - In western India, the desert cuisine is famous for its unique taste and varieties of food.
•    East Indian cuisine – The dishes include lots of plant seeds to add flavor to the food.
•    South Indian cuisine - In the southern India, the states make great use of spices and chilies to improve the taste of the dishes.

Indian vegetarian food has great taste –
Many Indian dishes require spices to be lightly fried to release their aroma and flavors and prevent them from having a 'raw' taste.  Indian vegetarian food offer great taste that is suitable for people of all ages. Vegetables are used in cooking without adding extra water.  This helps the vegetable stock to add nutrition in your body. There are different textures and layering that goes into the making of vegetarian food in the sub-continent.

Indian restaurants are incomplete without spices in their food preparation –
Indian food recipes have been handed down from one generation to another all across India and have been distinctly cultivated into their traditional meals. Indian restaurants offers a wide variety of low-fat, healthy food to its visitors. The traditional herbs and spices are used in the preparation of authentic Indian food. The people of this country believes in a healthy menu that has less fat, salt, sugar and more fibre. The unique mix of vegetables and spices can be enjoyed by customers without any worry or guilt.

People of all ages like traditional food

Food is important for humans because it contains all the nutrients and vitamins that we need in order for us to function correctly. If we didn't eat food then we would become too skinny and ill, we would constantly be weak and we wouldn't be able to grow. Food is something without which growth, development and evolution would have been impossible. Every living thing on the face of the earth, irrespective of plants and animals, need nutrition to survive, grow and reproduce. All the living things on earth are therefore, dependent on each other for survival in some way or the other and that is what we call the ecosystem.

The body uses food to perform one or more of four main functions: to supply energy, for growth and repair, for regulation and for protection.

Benefits of traditional food guarantees healthy lifestyle –
Conventional food is a big part of health, because these foods have a pleasing taste, and it’s much healthier than what we eat today. Indian cuisine or Indian food encompasses a wide variety of regional cuisines native to India. Given the range of diversity in soil type, climate and occupations, these cuisines vary significantly from each other and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables and fruits. Indian food is also heavily influenced by religious and cultural choices.
The multi disciplinary benefits of traditional food include:

•    Healthier lifestyle,
•    Provides more healthier options,
•    Helps to build a stronger immune system, and
•    Easily available.

Explore the multiple cooking options in Indian vegetarian food –
Indian cuisine reflects a 5000-year history of various groups and cultures interacting with the subcontinent, leading to diversity of flavors and regional cuisines found in modern-day India. The Indian vegetarian food involves different cooking methods like:

Steaming – It’s an extremely healthy way to cook vegetables. To get the best results, invest in a large and good quality steamer that will be able to handle any type of cooking situation, whether you are preparing small or large meals. Cut each vegetable type into similar sized pieces to ensure good even steaming.

Stir frying - Stir frying is a very active way to cook vegetables, as you need to be constantly monitoring and tossing the food contained in your pan or wok. For best results, allow the pan to warm up with a high heat and then fry the vegetables quickly.

Sautéing - A similar method to stir frying, with the only difference being that you use a lower heat and cook the vegetables over a longer period of time.

The flavor of spices adds up to traditional food –
Spices are very important as food and as medicine. They bring out the unique natural taste of cuisines and could be use to change the look of food to make it more attractive in color. Spices bring out the natural taste of traditional food. They are so important in ancient times and today we cannot do without them. They come in different flavors and aroma. They are simply food enhancers use to give cuisines that strong taste and smell.

Indian vegetarian food offers great taste –
As India is a land inhabited by people of different diversities, the food habits of people are different across the country. But one thing that remains constant is the sub continent has a very vegetarian-friendly cuisine. The Indian vegetarian food offers great taste because:

•    It provides the nutritional requirements of housebound seniors,
•    It has a tempting aroma & authentic taste for the sensitive palate,
•    It is tasty, nutrient-dense suppers for picky eaters,
•    It is satisfying, low-calorie comfort for those with special dietary needs, and
•    It is comforting, easy to digest late suppers after a long day.

Relish the delicacy of the traditional food –
Conventional food is liked by one and all. It is not just wholesome but also tasty and nutritious. By eating homemade food, people become less dependent on junk food or fast food. Traditional food has its own taste and flavor which is unmatched by that of junk food or canteen food.

Indian food restaurants – plenty of choices

Indian food is all about variety. India being a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religion nation,   each part of India has its own specialty cuisine. Indians are generally food enthusiasts and they love to create new and unique dishes using a combination of different ingredients. The food items in India are generally appetizing. Although there are plenty of specialty restaurants that serve food from a particular region, majority of the Indian food restaurants serve all kinds of Indian dishes.

Every region has its own delicacies that are hard to miss, especially if you are a non-Indian. From down south, the pancakes made of rice batter are extremely popular dish. The milky sweet items from west Bengal are a delight for all sweet lovers. The staple diet of Maharashtra made from rice flakes and oil fried Indian bread are a must try too. If you are a spicy food lover you would definitely love to indulge in eating the punjabi delicacies. The list of vegetarian traditional food is endless; the Indian food is generally categorized as the spiciest food to the sweetest food.

In India there are plenty of restaurants that serve top quality Indian cuisine. The specialty eating joints like the Pubjabi dhabas serve only Punjabi food. These eating places not only offer a great variety of Punjabi dishes but also have a unique aura that would make you feel like you are actually in the state of Punjab. Apart from the Dhabas, there are plenty of restaurants that serve authentic Rajasthani food. The traditional food from Rajasthan is usually served in a big plate that is known as thali and it is laden with a variety of dishes in a single plate.

Apart from the taste and diversity, Indian food is also popular around the world for its beautiful presentation. Usually, the platter consists of a range of mouth watering food from spicy curry to the lip smacking sweet dish. Every dish you find in the platter is freshly made using the finest ingredients. Just like anywhere else in the world, the Indian food restaurants prepare food as per the order of the customers. The restaurants usually give the customers the option to order customized food like some people love to eat extra spicy food, while other love to eat moderate or less spicy food. The special requirements are aptly considered while preparing the food.

The Indian chefs use a variety of components like vegetables and spices to add better flavor to the food. Usually, the chefs have a good knowledge of the cultural heritage of different regions of India and they use their creative skills to create a contemporary dish without compromising on the authenticity of the food item. Majority of the Indian food items are extremely appealing to the palate and even if the person is trying Indian food for the first time would find hard to have enough of the food. The chefs associated with the Indian food restaurants generally use simple and the traditional cooking techniques to create tasty dishes.