THE INDIAN FOOD

Let me write you about one of my favorite things (of my entire life!)  : the indian food ! The Idian food is, to me, the best food in the world. I've never been in India, but my papillae regularly go there ! 

The Indian food recovers a big variety of regional foods of India. They are influenced by herbs, fruits, vegetables, and the most important, according to me, spices. We can find it in every region of the country. The Idian food is also influenced by the religion and the story of this beautiful country.

Even if the vegetarianism is very widespread in the Indian society, there are many dishes with beef and pork  (which are, according to me, the best indian dishes) in spite of the prohibitions of the Hinduism and the Islam. The Indian food is spread and appreciated all over the world further to the migrations, particularly towards Europe. 

Spices are very important in the Indian food. Many dishes in sauce are made with masala, but also with saffron, cardamom, Ginger, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, fenugreek, nutmeg and anise.

As regards the historical Influences, he moghols Muslims, by invading the North of India, brought recipes and modes cooking, in particular kebabs and the cooking in the tandoori: naans, tandoori chicken, etc. Also, ingredients come from Americas (hot peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, corn) were integrated into the culinary habits.

Certain regional foods were also influenced by the colonizing countries. Some cities from  France and Portugal cooked the pork and the beef, not very frequent in the other regions. And for example, the pork who arrived from Portugal in Goa in barrels of vinegar gave the pork “vindaloo”:  

Now, comes the most important part of this article: the recipes!

- Entries

In certain regions of India (in the Punjab for example), they eat Samosa, Pakoras (Fried Indian doughnuts) or vegetables doughnuts.

Raïta, made with yoghurt with cucumber or tomatoes, or other ingredients, accompanies dishes in certain regions.

If you want to try some samosas, you can watch this video, Anuja and Hetal are going to teach you how to cook it !  

Famous meat:

Lamb korma

Chicken korma

Pork vindaloo

Tandoori chicken

Punjabi lamb curry

Masala tikka chicken

My favorite is the masala tikka chicken: spicy, smooth and creamy at the same time…i am just devoted to it ! Please find the recipe from the famous Jamie Oliver , you can try to cook it with your friends for a good evening:

Serves 4 - ingrediants: 

     ½ fresh red chilli, deseeded

     1 clove of garlic, peeled

     15 g fresh ginger

     1 tablespoon vegetable oil

     1 pinch paprika

     ½ tablespoon garam masala

     1 teaspoon tomato puree

     3 sprigs of fresh coriander, leaves picked and chopped, stalks reserved

     400 g higher-welfare chicken breast, preferably free-range or organic, diced into 2.5cm pieces

     1 small onion, peeled and sliced

     ½ red pepper, deseeded and sliced

     ½ green pepper, deseeded and sliced

     1 pinch ground cinnamon

     1 pinch ground coriander

     1 pinch turmeric

     400 g tinned plum tomatoes

     100 ml plain yoghurt

          50 ml single cream

Method: (Note: the marinade will need to be prepared the day before so the chicken can marinate overnight.) 

For the marinade
Blitz the chilli, garlic, ginger and vegetable oil in the food processor.

Add the paprika, garam masala and tomato puree, plus the coriander stalks, and blitz again to form a paste.

Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl, coat them with the marinade and leave in the fridge overnight.



The next day:
In a little vegetable oil, on a medium heat, fry the onion, peppers and spices in a large saucepan. Cook gently for 10 minutes then add the tin of tomatoes and the yoghurt.

Add the chicken pieces and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes until cooked. Just before serving, stir through the cream and chopped coriander leaves.


Serve with fluffy boiled rice and a mixed leaf salad.  

Rice and breads

There is a very big variety of breads, pancakes and some rice according to regions or communities in India :

Naan : the pancake with flour, cooked in the tandoor and served especially in moghuls restaurants. (picture)

Chapati or Roasted : the pancake of every day, with whole wheat flour, eaten in families in North India.

Biriani : the rice with or without meat, eaten especially in restaurants and in certain regions in India. (picture)

Dosaï : the pancake of the South of India which looks like a crêpe. Dosaï masala are always stuck and salted.

Papadum : fried and crunchy pancake which plays the same role in a way as the chips in France. Numerous varieties exist.

Pouri : fried, small, round and inflated soft pancake.

Paratha : fried pancake with wheat flour. 

Desserts :

The choice of the desserts is highly varied and changes according to the region. The most known in France are:

Gulabjam : perfumed with rose (picture)

Kulfi : a pistachio, nuts or nature ice cream

Barfie

Mysore pak

To conclude, the Indian food is, according to me, one of the best food in the world. Spicy, creamy, soft, strong in character, it’s simply unique!

After Having tested for you all the Indian restaurants of Grenoble, here is my favorite, the only, one and the unique Maharaja ! Beautiful restaurant and with a very good value for money, it is the best ! This is my favourite choice for the menu: beef samosas, garlic naan, massala tikka chicken, and to finish, a gulam jamun and a mango lassi ! 

Enjoy your meal!