Table of content

  • Introduction
  •  10 types of India’s traditional food
  1. Masala dosa 
  2. Dal makhani
  3. Chaat
  4. Vada pav
  5. Dhokla 
  6. Stuffed Paratha
  7. Pani puri
  8. Idli 
  9. Barfi
  10. Masala chai
  • Conclusion 

Introduction

The variety of Indian cultural food is vast. Almost every other state in the country has its cuisine. Furthermore, different Indian food cuisines bring different Indian cultural food along with them. Also, it is the diversity of the country which brings so many types of Indian cultural food with it. Indian dishes are the local delicacies and they tantalize the taste buds. However, as so many Indian dishes have been exported, this makes it a bit difficult to distinguish between the watered-down versions and the authentic dishes. 

Indian takeaways are very popular in Britain. However, the dishes on their menus are designed to appeal to the British people. Many dishes offered are not Indian cultural food. India has a diverse cuisine just like its culture. Indian cultural food is a melange of flavors and spices. Moreover, some cultural food in India might be piquant, and others maybe not. However, they all are enticing and colorful. 

10 types of Indian cultural food

Authentic Indian cultural food is full of organic substances. Furthermore, these are proven to be healthy. Like, some of the common Indian spices such as turmeric help with the prevention of Alzheimer’s, and inflammation, and even improve heart health. Furthermore, Indian cultural food is rich in a variety of nuts, grains, seeds, and pulses. 

In case you are looking for a place to try these delicious dishes then Corriander leaf is the place for you. Furthermore, all our delicacies are made from fresh farm-picked ingredients to maintain both the nutritional quality and the authentic taste of your food. Moreover, We make sure that you experience the feel and taste of it exquisitely without having to worry about emptying your pockets.

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Masala dosa

The dish is a popular part of the list of Indian cultural food. Masala dosa is a part of South Indian cuisine. Dosas are famous all over the world. The unique taste and flavors of the dosa are the main things that make Indian cultural dishes popular. Furthermore, the dosa is sort of an Indian pancake. Use a thin batter consisting of flour, lentils, and rice to make a dosa.

However, preparing the dish is no easy task. Soak the batter for about 24 hours in water before shaping. Next, when the batter is ready it is ladled onto a hot tava. Give proper shape to the batter. Furthermore, traditionally we fold the masala dosa in half and stuff it with potatoes. The dosa can be accompanied by hot sambhar and a chutney generally made of coconut. Furthermore, the masala dosa is a tasty as well as a satisfying meal.

Dal makhani

The dish is a part of North Indian cuisine. Moreover, the tasty and creamy nature of the dish is what makes it popular. Most of us may have heard of or tasted ‘dal’. Dal makhani is a modification of a simple dal. It is more creamy and tasty than the normal one. Furthermore, the dish is reserved for big events like weddings. Moreover, it is considered to be the best of the best. The origin of the dish is Punjab. Furthermore, the word makhani means buttery in Hindi, hence this makes it obvious how creamy and rich this Indian classic tastes. 

Ingredients of Dhaba Style Dal Makhani

  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
  • to taste Salt
  • 1 Cup Soaked Urad Dal
  • 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste
  • 2 Green Chillies
  • 1 tbsp Cream
  • 1/2 cup Tomato Puree
  • 1 tbsp Butter

Chaat

Another Indian cultural food, which is a part of the North Indian cuisine. Chaat comes among India’s most delicious and savory snacks. There is a lot of variety of chaat sold on the streets. Originally, chaat is a combination of crispy fried bread, potato pieces, yogurt, some chickpeas garnished with coriander leaves, tamarind sauce, and dried ginger. Furthermore, the name of the dish chaat means licking one’s finger, a delicacy, and to devour with relish. The name of the dish complements well with the taste.  

Ingredients of Chatpati Aloo Chaat

For Chaat:

  • 1/2 Lemon (juiced)
  • 1 tsp tamarind chutney
  • A pinch of black salt
  • A pinch of black pepper
  • 2-3 aloo, boiled
  • 1/2 tsp chaat masala
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • A pinch of cumin powder

For Coriander Chutney:

  • 1 Green Chili
  • 1/2 tsp black salt
  • 1/2 Lemon (juiced)
  • 1 cup coriander leaves

Vada pav

Vada pav is a part of Maharashtrian cuisine. The dish is as close as Indian cuisine gets to veggie burgers. Vada consists of deep-fried potatoes placed inside a small bun. The dish is accompanied by green chili and a couple of chutneys and appeals to the spice-loving nature of the Indians up and down the country. Furthermore, vada pav is very famous in Mumbai and is therefore called the Bombay burger. Moreover, you can find these mini potato burgers in every street food stall in Mumbai.

Ingredients of Vada Pav

  • 2 tsp coriander leaves
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 nos potato, boiled
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp green chili – garlic paste
  • 2 tsp red chili powder
  • 1 onion
  • 2 Tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 tsp saunf
  • 1/4 tsp hing

For masala paste:

  • 1 cup desiccated coconut
  • 2 tsp peanuts, roasted
  • 1/2 tsp tamarind
  • 1 cup besan
  • 1/4 cup soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder
  • 1 tsp red chili powder
  • 4 Green chillies
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 9 garlic cloves
  • 5 nos red chili whole
  • 2 tsp white sesame seeds

Dhokla

The dish is a part of Gujarati cuisine. It is a vegetarian snack made up of rice and split chickpeas. The dish is very delicious unlike the name. Dhokla is eaten as breakfast, snack, side dish, or lunch by the Gujaratis. The recipe for the dish is not simple. Moreover, it takes hours of preparation. Rice and chickpeas should be soaked in equal quantities overnight. Next, chili, ginger, coriander, and baking powder are added to add spice to the dhokla. It helps the dish to have delicious bite-size morsels. Furthermore, the dish is usually served with coriander chutney and deep-fried chili, this delicious Gujarati dish is wonderfully moreish.

As we all know that snacking comes so naturally to us as Indians. Therefore, Indian cuisine has some of the best starters and snacks. Moreover, dhokla rules hearts across the world. Furthermore, a combination of beans, yogurt, baking powder, semolina, and lime juice makes the dish complete.

Stuffed paratha

Another dish of Punjabi cuisine that makes Indian dishes popular. The foodie heritage of Punjab doesn’t stop at dal makhani. Usually, parathas are served for breakfast. Famously, parathas are known as the breakfast of the champions in Punjab. Furthermore, the word paratha stands for ‘layers of cooked dough. The dish lives up to its moniker. Prepare the parathas by cooking the dough on a tava. Commonly, the parathas are accompanied by Dahi in the summers and chai(tea) in the winters. Furthermore, the dish is famous all over India, not only in Punjab. Moreover, parathas have a lot of types as they can be stuffed with many fillings. For example aloo paratha, paneer paratha, methi paratha, etc.

Pani puri

This dish is spicy and full of flavors. Pani puri is a perfect example of cultural food in India. The dish originated in the northern state of Bihar. Although it is a part of the northern cuisine it is widely popular all over the country. Pani puri is a perfect street-side snack. These are deep-fried balls made of wheat or semolina. This dish is served alongside chickpeas, spicy potatoes, and spicy tamarind water. Furthermore, the way you eat this dish is an experience in itself. Traditionally, you crack open the top of the deep-fried shell with a spoon before filling the shell with delicious accompaniments.

Mostly, you have to eat pani puri in one go, to save any of the fillings from spilling out. Furthermore, pani puri is also called gol gappa. Moreover, this street snack unites the whole country, everyone from a businessman to a college student is found devouring them.

However, you should ensure the food you are consuming is hygienic. At Corriander leaf, we believe that the way to our customer’s hearts is not just through their stomach. It is through their soul. So, we make sure that our services become the soul of each and every event irrespective of how big or small they are.

Idli

Idli is a famous South Indian breakfast. Another dish which is among those that have made Indian dishes popular. Furthermore, they are often thought of as the breakfast versions of dosa. Idli is eaten at the start of the day. It is a type of light-savory rice cake. Use the battery consisting of fermented rice and black lentil. Moreover, the dish is dangerously easy to eat. They prepare the batter by steaming the batter. Idli is a dish that is pretty bland therefore these pancakes are accompanied by coconut-based chutneys, spicy fish curries, and usually sambhar. Moreover, many different varieties of idli have evolved so you can choose among them. 

Barfi

Although, the barfi can be used to describe several Indian sweets. However, the most traditional is milk barfi. Milk-based sweets are mainly made from milk powder, ghee, condensed milk, and cardamom powder. Furthermore, although barfi is not helpful in any way in maintaining a person’s health, it brings for sure a smile to the face of anyone who tries it. Furthermore, sweets are given as good luck offerings at occasions like wedding ceremonies. Moreover, a piece of this sweet dish can be a great companion for your afternoon chai.    

Ingredients: 

  • 2½ cup milk powder (full cream)
  • 3 tbsp pistachios (chopped)
  • ¼ cup ghee / clarified butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¾ cup sugar 

Instructions 

  • Firstly, take ¾ cup sugar, 2½  cup milk powder, and  ¾ cup of sugar in a bowl.
  • Secondly, Mix the ingredients well.
  • Now, in a large Kadai add ¼ cup ghee and mix it with the mixture.
  • Next, keep stirring after a while the mixture will hold a shape and will separate from the pan.
  • Now, transfer the dough into a tray covered with butter paper. 
  • Now, top the burfi with some chopped nuts and dry fruits.
  • Next, after almost an hour cut the barfi.
  • Finally, you can serve it.

Masala chai

Masala chai is the most famous export and can be found being sold everywhere. However, from high-end restaurants to chai wallahs at train stations chai is found. Furthermore, while there are many versions of Indian tea around the globe, however, the deal can only be found in India. Traditionally, masala chai is made by brewing black tea on a stove along with a mixture of aromatic herbs and spices. Usually, the spices used in the masala chai are cinnamon sticks, black pepper, green cardamom pods, ground cloves, and black pepper, which creates a wonderful aromatic cup of tea. Moreover, there is nothing like the feeling of sipping a hot cup of authentic masala chai on a cold winter morning.

Ingredients of Masala Chai

  • Cloves
  • Cardamom
  • Cinnamon
  • Star Anise
  • Water
  • Tea leaves
  • Sugar
  • Milk

How to make it? 

  • Firstly, roast the spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and star anise together in equal amounts in a pan. 
  • Now, roast these ingredients in order to get a powder.
  • Next, in a pan with boiling water put the ingredients along with the ground mixture. 
  • Now, stir the chai and bring it to a simmer.
  • Finally, serve the chai along with some tea time munchies. 

Conclusion

Indian cuisine is so vast and diverse just like its culture. Therefore, the list of cultural food in India is very long. We have listed some of the most famous cultural foods in India in the blog. However, the list does not end here. Furthermore, some dishes which have a great contribution to making Indian dishes popular are jalebi, tandoori chicken, dosa, palak paneer, biryani, and many more. Furthermore, Indian cuisine has savory, curried, sweet, steamed, roasted, fried, garnished, and slow-cooked all types of dishes in its cuisine.

Read This – Best Indian Cuisine To Try At Home

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