Indian cuisine consists of various recipes, tastes and cooking styles. However, it can be overwhelming and confusing to consider all its diversities and complexities, before understanding some basic principles of Indian cuisine and food. This is where to start.
Clip: Breads and Rice
There is a basic accompaniment in every Indian meal, no matter where in the country you are. In the coastal and southern areas, the staple food is usually rice, while in the northern regions, baked bread with whole wheat flour is extremely popular. However, rice, in various forms, is consumed throughout the country and, in all likelihood, is the most popular basic form.
As for the breads, Indian cuisine does not involve cooking. On the contrary, the flour is kneaded in a dough, and this dough is cooked on a stove or in a clay oven known as tandoor. Different regions of the country have different ways of preparing their flour and use different ingredients.
Wholemeal and refined flour dominate in the north, while the south of the country uses rice flour very commonly. This difference in choice reflects regional agricultural differences.
The simplest and most economical form of baked bread is known as chapatti. It is made from whole wheat flour and is extremely light, flat, round and dry, almost like a small thin pancake. It combines well with virtually all main dishes and is the most common staple food in the north. Baked bread for special occasions is much more elaborate, rich and heavy and can include various ingredients.
Main courses
A typical meal in an Indian home includes one or two main dishes, with the exception of basic foods. In general, there will be a plate of vegetables and a preparation of lentils, called daal. There are several types of lentils or daal available in the country, and usually another one is cooked every day or every other day. The vegetable dish can be curry or dry.
Alternatively, people sometimes have two vegetable dishes instead of a daal and a vegetable preparation. With a little experience, you will develop a pretty good idea of the tastes that combine well with each other.
Yogurt
In the northern or central regions of the country, people generally have curd or yogurt to accompany their meals. The fresh and slightly sweet taste of a natural yogurt compensates very well for Indian spices.
Drinks with food.
Unlike the Mediterranean region, there is no traditional culture of drinking wine or other forms of alcohol with food. However, water is a necessary accompaniment, and in many parts of India, people generally have warm or hot water before or after food to aid digestion.
The myth of spicy and fatty food.
Contrary to popular belief, food cooked in typical homes is generally not too rich, spicy or oily. This myth only appeared due to the type of food available in Indian restaurants. Family cooking is generally light, fresh and healthy, and nutrients in food are preserved.
In short, a daily meal in most homes is a matter of one dish, with 1-2 main dishes, a basic and curd food or yogurt. Naturally, during festivals and special occasions, preparations are much more elaborate.
Each Indian cuisine has its own range of delicious starters and desserts for such occasions. The food on these occasions can also be rich, creamy and spicy, since the idea is to provide customers with a very different experience from their daily lives.
You are free to publish this article without any change in the content electronically, in print, in your electronic book or on your website, free of charge, provided that the details of the author's resources are included.
Understanding the Basics of Indian Food and Dining , Dining , Basics of Indian Food , Indian , Food , Indian Food ,
Clip: Breads and Rice
There is a basic accompaniment in every Indian meal, no matter where in the country you are. In the coastal and southern areas, the staple food is usually rice, while in the northern regions, baked bread with whole wheat flour is extremely popular. However, rice, in various forms, is consumed throughout the country and, in all likelihood, is the most popular basic form.
As for the breads, Indian cuisine does not involve cooking. On the contrary, the flour is kneaded in a dough, and this dough is cooked on a stove or in a clay oven known as tandoor. Different regions of the country have different ways of preparing their flour and use different ingredients.
Wholemeal and refined flour dominate in the north, while the south of the country uses rice flour very commonly. This difference in choice reflects regional agricultural differences.
The simplest and most economical form of baked bread is known as chapatti. It is made from whole wheat flour and is extremely light, flat, round and dry, almost like a small thin pancake. It combines well with virtually all main dishes and is the most common staple food in the north. Baked bread for special occasions is much more elaborate, rich and heavy and can include various ingredients.
Main courses
A typical meal in an Indian home includes one or two main dishes, with the exception of basic foods. In general, there will be a plate of vegetables and a preparation of lentils, called daal. There are several types of lentils or daal available in the country, and usually another one is cooked every day or every other day. The vegetable dish can be curry or dry.
Alternatively, people sometimes have two vegetable dishes instead of a daal and a vegetable preparation. With a little experience, you will develop a pretty good idea of the tastes that combine well with each other.
Yogurt
In the northern or central regions of the country, people generally have curd or yogurt to accompany their meals. The fresh and slightly sweet taste of a natural yogurt compensates very well for Indian spices.
Drinks with food.
Unlike the Mediterranean region, there is no traditional culture of drinking wine or other forms of alcohol with food. However, water is a necessary accompaniment, and in many parts of India, people generally have warm or hot water before or after food to aid digestion.
The myth of spicy and fatty food.
Contrary to popular belief, food cooked in typical homes is generally not too rich, spicy or oily. This myth only appeared due to the type of food available in Indian restaurants. Family cooking is generally light, fresh and healthy, and nutrients in food are preserved.
In short, a daily meal in most homes is a matter of one dish, with 1-2 main dishes, a basic and curd food or yogurt. Naturally, during festivals and special occasions, preparations are much more elaborate.
Each Indian cuisine has its own range of delicious starters and desserts for such occasions. The food on these occasions can also be rich, creamy and spicy, since the idea is to provide customers with a very different experience from their daily lives.
You are free to publish this article without any change in the content electronically, in print, in your electronic book or on your website, free of charge, provided that the details of the author's resources are included.
Understanding the Basics of Indian Food and Dining , Dining , Basics of Indian Food , Indian , Food , Indian Food ,
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