The thali offers the tastes of India

With culture playing an essential role in the culinary world, each country has its own texture as well as taste. These tastes are distinct. A dish which infuses savory and sweet contents in one plate can be seen only in an Indian Thali. The thalis have all the components, which make a perfect serving of food without compensating on flavor and taste. Originally inspired from the royal palaces in Rajastan and Jaipur, where the cooks strived in kitchens to amalgamate spices and flavors to meet the levels of tastes expected by visitors, the thali has paved its way into the hearts of people, not just locally but in many foreign countries as well. The different communities, which represent different states in India have their own exclusive styles of representing the flavor, which portray their heritage by their food. Therefore, the medium to review their culture is by the preparation of the main components and their distribution on a platter in accordance with the fusion of flavors.

In many countries like India, killing of animals is not seen in a favorable manner. Everybody cannot enjoy meat and prefer to enjoy a vegetarian diet.  Individuals prefer to indulge in vegetarian preparations rather than poultry dishes or meat. Veganism has taken a place in a person’s life. People have ensured that fruits and vegetables are an important part of their diet. The mix of vegetables with herbs and spices uplift the flavor proportion, thus vegetarian thali has become a perfect illustration of taste meeting health. The spice contents in these thalis differ on account of different palettes, which indulge in the dishes.

Such thalis are an expression of the local tastes, which are enhanced by a cook’s knowledge as well as passion for food. A contemporary and a truly dedicated chef can recognize the dash of flavors and hints of tastes, which enhance the worth of a dish.

Indianthali differs in taste as every community prepares a dish in a unique way. The novelty highlights the diversity of the Indian cuisine. The themes and influences can differ too. Preparing delicacies does involve a great deal of creativity. A platter full of various delicacies, rich in myriad flavors is certainly a visual delight. Dishes rich in baked bread, desserts etc…can give rise to a low rumble in your tummy. The vegetarian thalis are so popular that people from abroad come to Indian restaurants for enjoying the heavenly experience of eating delicious meals. To many consumers, the variation and amount in flavors depict art on a plate. It is an experience to feel these beautiful flavors whirling in the mouth balancing all kinds of tastes. To any common person, it might not look like a difficult task but if you ask a chef, he would have told you that how much diligence and effort goes into the making of such a feast. Lots of dishes are there in India, which can be explored. Browse through the menu carefully and choose delicacies that treat your palate to a delightful aromatic experience.  

The tiffin story

What do you envisage when you hear the word ‘tiffin box’? It may be a steel container with the yummiest food on earth made by mom or a complete meal that comes in steel or plastic containers which looks good no matter the taste. How and where did the word tiffin box originate? It originated in British India, and probably is found today only as part of Indian English. This concept of lunch or light snack in a box originated when Indian custom of eating a full meal in the afternoon superseded the British practice of an afternoon dinner. And thus was born the word ‘lunch’ for an afternoon meal. Now a lunch box would necessarily mean a proper heavy meal packed in a box for lunch but there are places like those in South India and Nepal where tiffin box is a term used for between-meals snacks. They are a common site in India and are generally used to carry home-made food to work.

Lunch Boxes

In other parts of India, however, a lunch box would be packed lunch, whether made for a husband by his wife or for school children by their mother. And if you stay in Mumbai, you can vouch for this sumptuous meal served to you by the world famous ‘Dabbawallas’. These dabbawallahs or tiffin delivery men in Mumbai largely cater the enormous working crowd as they take their piping hot lunch to their desks. These often consist of dal, rice, vegetables, chapatis, meat and some accompaniments like salad, pickle and papads.

The Dabbawallahs collect over twenty tiffins each from the office worker wives' homes, these are filled with hot fresh lunch and the job of these delivery men is to deliver these boxes to offices dotted around the city whilst food is still hot. It’s amazing to see the speed at which these people deliver the dabbas or boxes and how concisely. They are to many, a blessing as people in this tinsel town are more than busy with work and crave for the piping hot food without having to go out to grab a bite. These boxes generally come in two or three tier aluminum or stainless steel stacked compartments held tightly together by a catch on either side of the handle. The compartments of the box help keep the various components of the meal separate as also to avoid leaks or spills.

The concept of food containers goes back a long way, but its localization globally is credited to the diligent dabbawallahs of Mumbai, who proved that taking food to schools, colleges and offices alone can be a business that engages thousands and helps many more. Tiffin boxes are indeed a way of life for most people. They depict love for your spouse or children for whom you cook food with love and ensure that they do not end up eating junk outside. At the same time you are helping them save money which can then be splurged on more important things. And you prove yourself a super organizer as you plan ahead for a packed lunch or snack everyday of the week.

The best Indian restaurants

Food is the best thing that has happened to human kind. Imagine a tree full of fruits, ripe and luscious looking. What if you could pluck them from the trees but could not eat them? What if you were never designed to chew and swallow and revel in the flavours bursting and popping and punching in your mouth? How unjust life would be! Food makes everything better. Do you remember the fit you threw last time when you were starving and nothing but the delicious dahi kadi could do to make you feel nice? That’s the power of food. Food preparation varies in different parts of the country but the most common is gujrati food. Gujrati food is simple and honest, not to mention absolutely delicious.

The best place to polish off a fare that is authentic and pure gujrati is a traditional gujrati home. If you can’t get hold of that, Indian restaurants work just fine. These restaurants bring gujrat in their midst with their lip-smacking preparations. When one speaks of a traditional gujrati fare, the first thing that comes to the mind is the light, golden dhokla with a moist texture so delicious you could eat your fingers without even realizing it. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. These restaurants bring to the patrons a list of dishes so long, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

 

Soft Roti at Rajdhani Restaurant

The staff looks after the guests in terms of the traditional gujrati hospitality. They are welcomed warmly into their abode with open arms and showered with lots of love. The ambience at Indian restaurants is typical of the Indian culture with dim lighting, grand chandeliers and authentic looking embroidered table cloths and cushions. This ambience goes well with the Indian food, simple yet authentic. The mere atmosphere holds you captive. It takes you into the times of the rajas and maharajas who feasted upon these delights.

The cuisine of Gujrat which mainly comprises of vegetarian fare. Gujrati thali is the famous and most delicious array of the popular items that comprise gujarati food. A typical thali consists of the soft roti, warm golden pool of dal tempered with aromatic spices, an assortment of shaak or sabzi which is nothing but vegetable preparations in the presence of rich ghee. Some of these preparations are sweet which make it extremely delicious and gives a flavour that is different from that of regular food. This thali also consists of khichadi which is a delicious semi solid preparation and buttermilk to wash down the food. A smattering of farsan makes its way into the thali. Those having a sweet tooth rejoice! Srikhand and moong dal halwa are a typical gujrati household dessert. This tempting array of irresistible fare makes everyone salivate and the best that Gujarat can offer.

Gujarati food is savoured by all the communities in India. This vegetarian cuisine is a blend of sweet and spicy flavours. Gujarati’s are known to have an impassioned inclination towards sweets. Their traditional specialities like Malpua, Basundi, Kaju Katli and Jalebi is loved by every Indian. Gujarati’s are vegetarians therefore their cuisine encompasses delicacies without meat. Gujarati Thali is most popular dish all over the globe. The Thali is a big steel plate in which food is served. The food pattern consists of Rice, bread, curry, vegetable, two or more side dishes and sugar coated treats. Gujarati food is admired by all communities because it displays a fusion of different culinary skills. Cities like Mumbai which has a large migrated ratio love exploring different cuisines. The people of Mumbai do not restrict themselves to one particular cuisine. They are well acquainted with food items by the myriad communities in the country. 

Gujrati Food

Indian food restaurants have been playing a crucial role in introducing various cuisines and dishes to the table. Restaurants are the only place wherein people have the liberty to eat what they wish. AT home due to lack of supplies it is impossible to invent and ideate new dishes. A restaurant plays a host and represents every community that is known for its culinary delights. Indian food is a pastiche of spices, herbs, fruits, vegetables, meat and other condiments. All these ingredients create an outburst of flavours that culminate into an aromatic experience. During the weekends, you will notice a swarm of people flocking to restaurants. In fact it becomes difficult to gain access to a restaurant during peak hours. The host gives an option to wait in the queue or find another eatery.

The truth behind tiffin box culture in Mumbai

We in Mumbai are so accustomed to the word ‘Tiffin’ that we tend to forget that it is not a known word in the dictionary that is used anywhere else in the world. Tiffin walas are someone that plays a very important role in the fast lane of business professionals in Mumbai. They deliver lunch boxes to the needy professionals at the time of their lunch breaks. The word Tiffin basically means a lunch box that people often carry to their workplaces. But in Mumbai, Tiffin are not carried to the workplace but they are delivered to the office in time by these Tiffin walas. Hence, we can conclude that this sect of people in the society, however insignificant, play an important role to serve other people in the society.

 When a professional is living alone and has no one in the city to prepare his lunch, he has two options to choose from. One is that he orders his lunch from any nearby food joint that can deliver food in the office and the other being the Tiffin service. Now, when you are choosing from these two options you will have to consider each in detail and according to logical parameters. If you choose to order from a nearby restaurant, you run the chances to fall ill because the food quality is never guaranteed. If you have to discard this factor, you might have to choose a more expensive restaurant and that just not makes sense because, this restaurant is supposed to deliver food daily. That can cost too much. On the other side, if you choose to opt for the Tiffin service, the food quality matches the food at home and hence the hygiene factor is taken care of. Other than that, if you compare it with fast food chains, you will come to a conclusion it proves to be cheaper than other restaurants when the service is used on a daily basis. So, there is no reason to not choose a Tiffin box over restaurant service.

Other important aspect that we should consider while we are talking about the Tiffin walas in Mumbai is the dedication that these people show towards their job. The Tiffin walas in the city are aware of the fact that they have to deliver hundreds of lunch boxes to hundreds of different people in numerous locations across the city. The time factor plays a crucial role because if they fail to deliver the Tiffin boxes in time or after the lunch break then there is no point in delivering them. This is understood well by them and it is found that these dedicated Tiffin walas start working before sunrise and end in the evening, all this to feed unknown people in the city. Due to their efficient planning and service all across the urban region, they are very often asked to take time management sessions in several institutions. This is not because they success in delivering all Tiffin box in time but because they deliver them using public transport via the infamous Mumbai railways.

Taste the best Indian restaurants for those authentic dishes

We as Indians have developed a habit of eating traditional Indian food since the days of our childhood. We have made our minds clear that vegetarian food can be equally delicious and tasty like meat. But then it is because we have been eating and enjoying vegetarian food in many varieties and forms in our land. Indian cuisine has spread beyond the borders and entered the hearts of international connoisseurs and has made them a fan. Everyone is now aware about the flavours and tastes that Indian cuisine has to offer.

The popularity of Indian restaurants has gained a respectful place in the world cuisine. There is a misconception in the minds of people that vegetarian food is not as tasty as non-vegetarian delicacies. But in actuality, there is no cuisine in the world that can blend natural flavours and portray it in the flavoursome cuisine than Indian cuisine. The Indian flavours and the natural textures are prepared in the traditional methods that maturely develop the tastes of the ingredients that can be enjoyed in the dishes. And this is what makes Indian food rank high among the people.

While the cuisine is developing and spreading across the world, here in India, the food is survived within the local Indian restaurants that have kept the traditional methods alive. But the locals in the country are often found to hesitate to enter these restaurants, not because of the food but because of the hygiene. It is found that many Indian vegetarian restaurants are kept unsanitary and are functioned at unhygienic standards. The food is somehow not affected, at least in most cases, but now the average Indian customer is expanding the horizons and venturing into the modern aspects of dining like the ambience, service and pricing, of course. This has given a new dimension to the art of dining that has compelled the restaurateurs to take steps towards achieving a fairly set restaurant where the guests can enjoy their food with the feel wholly. This trend to stratify standards for eating out has affected the urban and semi-urban areas where the people are more aware and are more exposed to other parts of the world. Due to this exposure, they do not hesitate in demanding high standards of living, dining, working, etc.

As the Indian market has expanded outside national borders, the food has managed to impress many international cultures with its taste and hot spices. Now, the business professionals that can be found in any industrial area in America are well aware how naan or tandoori chicken tastes like. The Indian food is largely influenced by the Mughal Empire and hence the non-vegetarian aspect of it is also appreciated worldwide with some benchmark dishes in the list. But in spite of the massive popularity for non-vegetarian restaurants, the Indian vegetarian restaurants have served well to keep the name of vegetarian food high. This is how the cuisine has gained popularity with the help of succulent non-vegetarian kebabs on one hand with traditional parathas and bhaji on the other.

Veg restaurants - serving the Indian flavours

With the decline in consumption of meaty treats in the world, veganism has become the hot new trend prevalent. With numerous health benefits and flavoursome taste, a vegan diet has become the novel lifestyle people love. In India, restaurants serving vegetarian cuisine have always been existent on every street since cows are considered a scared animal worshipped by many. People refrain from killing animals due to religious values. Since killing is prohibited by religious institutions, people have turned towards vegan lifestyle. In foreign lands, this trend has just started gaining momentum. To battle the carving for meaty treats, restaurants have started condoning non-vegetarian delicacies. The idea is to create awareness about the disadvantages meaty treats provide health wise. Daily consumption of meaty treats makes the human body feeble and weak. In the long run, people tend to suffer from various lifestyle diseases.

Veg restaurants have created a trend in the culinary world and have transformed and re-defined the meaning of healthy living. These Indian restaurants have emerged to be a family favourite. They incorporate the needs and requirements of each family member. It is a tradition to dine out once a week in every Indian family. People prefer these veg restaurants because they serve nutritious food and do not compromise on quantity and quality. These restaurants have their fan club and customers do not seem to get enough of these eateries. It is a difficult task to cater to everybody’s needs. These Indian restaurants have taken the culinary skills a notch higher and make the task much simpler. These eateries are located on all hotspots therefore accessibility is not an obstacle. The ambience and the mouth watering spread make these restaurants a consumer friendly place.

Vegetarian restaurants are the crux of a flawless culinary experience because they unfold diverse flavours that increase the hankering for food. The staff hired at these restaurants are instilled with the traits if humility and humbleness. Customer satisfaction is the main objective and the staff does not compromise on anything with regards to their customers. The seating arrangement is adjusted as per the customer demands. Moreover the chefs tend to cook the delicacy as per the needs of the consumer. If the consumer requires less salt in his dish then it is prepared in the similar manner.  People refraining from indulging in sweet treats are offered something else instead of the dessert.

Veg thali is an extensive platter that is represented by numerous delicacies. This platter is arranged and designed meticulously and the chef diligently presents this visually appealing dish. The thali is an eye pleasing delicacy and toys with the customer’s mind to indulge in this lavish spread.  The thali represents a feast Indian style. As the meal progresses consumers tend to enjoy every morsel because it is an outburst of flavours. Such precision in flavours, accompanied by the vast knowledge about herbs and spices makes this dish more appetizing and luscious.

Indian restaurants have been gaining popularity all over the world due to its sipid quality.

Indian food restaurants - the best place to taste local flavours

Every cuisine is known for its exemplary tastes. Foodies tend to savour flavours of every cuisine because of the unique preparation styles. Culinary skills cannot be innovated however can be improvised. Chefs all over the world have been honing their culinary skills to present the customer with some explicit and luscious delicacies. Food aficionados and critics tend to have acute knowledge about food and related subjects. They are able to point the flaw in every delicacy. Thus they have a clear notion about the cuisine that fits their appetite well. Their unique tasting sense makes them a chef’s delight because it is not the quantity of the food they are concerned with but with the aesthetics.  

Food aesthetics increase the craving and hankering. People yearn for more because the presentation of food seems mouth watering at restaurants. Many times people love eating a particular dish at the restaurant but shun consuming it at home. This is because of the difference in culinary skills adopted by the restaurant and the household cook. There is a vast difference between cooking styles practiced by chefs and household cooks. The chefs hone their skills at a regular basis. They are knowledgeable about different condiments, their usage and proportions. On the other hand, a household cook is trained to prepare traditional dishes and the cooking style is mundane.

Indian food restaurants have been springing up at every nook and corner of the country. In fact these Indian food restaurants have been gaining immense popularity overseas too. Wayfarers and travellers love indulging themselves in different types of cuisines. It is the experience they want, therefore choose local delicacies over popular continental dishes.  Street food maintains the local flavours with exact vigour and people love indulging in these treats with gusto. The Indian thali is the most popular delicacy that has savoured by all the Indian communities. Thali is a huge steel plate that has Rice, Roti, three vegetable side dishes and a sweet treat. There are different vegetarian thalis relished by one and all. The most popular are Gujarathi, Maharastrian and South Indian. Travellers are invited to taste an outburst of flavours with this vegetarian thali. Likewise there is a non vegetarian thali as well. The only difference is that the vegetarian dishes are replaced by non-vegetarian dishes.

Health is an important concept that concerns every person. Stress tends to stimulate the release of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable in nature thus they hover in the body with the intention of harming the internal organs. They target the immune system because once the immune system is destroyed the body will have no protective shield. They keep on attacking the immune system until it slips into dormancy. The cardiovascular system is invaded. Once the immune system becomes active again it starts destroying white blood cells.  The body loses control and succumbs to various lifestyle diseases. To avoid these medical consequences and urgencies, doctors reiterate consumption of Indian vegetarian food, which represents a proper balanced diet.