The Flavorful Journey: Top 20 Indian Dishes You Must Try at Home

Introduction

Indian cuisine is a tapestry of colors, flavors, and aromas that will awaken your taste buds and transport you to the streets of Mumbai, the heart of Delhi, or the coastal delights of Kerala. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Indian cuisine or just beginning your culinary exploration, we’ve compiled a list of the top 20 Indian dishes that are simply a must-try. Get ready to embark on a flavorful journey as we provide detailed descriptions and key steps for each dish. From spicy curries to mouthwatering street food, let’s dive into the world of Indian gastronomy.

1. Chicken Tikka Masala

• Description: Chicken Tikka Masala is a luscious, creamy curry featuring tender pieces of marinated and roasted chicken served in a tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices.
• Key Steps:
  1. Marinate chicken in yogurt and spices.
  2. Grill or roast the chicken.
  3. Simmer the chicken in a rich tomato sauce with cream.

2. Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

• Description: Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a rich and velvety tomato-based curry where succulent pieces of chicken are simmered in a sauce enriched with butter and cream.
• Key Steps:
  1. Marinate and cook chicken.
  2. Prepare a tomato-based sauce with butter and cream.
  3. Simmer the chicken in the sauce.

3. Biryani

• Description: Biryani is an aromatic rice dish that combines fragrant basmati rice, tender meat or vegetables, and a blend of spices, creating a symphony of flavors and textures.
• Key Steps:
  1. Marinate and cook the meat or vegetables.
  2. Layer with parboiled rice and spices.
  3. Dum cook (slow steam) to perfection.

4. Rogan Josh

• Description: Rogan Josh is a vibrant and spicy Kashmiri curry, featuring tender pieces of meat, often lamb, in a rich sauce with a vivid red color derived from Kashmiri chilies.
• Key Steps:
  1. Sauté onions, spices, and meat.
  2. Simmer in a tomato and yogurt-based sauce.

5. Chole Bhature

• Description: Chole Bhature is a beloved North Indian dish, pairing fluffy deep-fried bread (bhature) with spicy chickpea curry (chole) and pickles.
• Key Steps:
  1. Make a spicy and tangy chickpea curry.
  2. Fry the fluffy bread (bhature).

6. Tandoori Chicken

• Description: Tandoori Chicken is marinated with yogurt and spices, then cooked in a tandoor (clay oven) for smoky, tender meat with a charred exterior.
• Key Steps:
  1. Marinate chicken with yogurt and spices.
  2. Cook in a tandoor or grill for that signature smoky flavor.

7. Paneer Tikka

• Description: Paneer Tikka is a delightful vegetarian dish where cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) are marinated, skewered, and grilled for a smoky and spicy treat.
• Key Steps:
  1. Marinate paneer and vegetables.
  2. Skewer and grill for a smoky, charred flavor.

8. Palak Paneer

• Description: Palak Paneer is a North Indian dish featuring paneer cubes cooked in a creamy spinach sauce, infused with aromatic spices.
• Key Steps:
  1. Cook paneer separately.
  2. Blend blanched spinach and prepare a creamy sauce.
  3. Combine paneer and sauce.

9. Dal Makhani

• Description: Dal Makhani is a rich and creamy lentil dish, slow-cooked with black urad dal and kidney beans, simmered in a tomato-based sauce with cream and butter.
• Key Steps:
  1. Soak and cook lentils and beans.
  2. Simmer in a tomato-based sauce enriched with cream and butter.

10. Samosa – Description: Samosas are golden, crispy pastries filled with spiced potatoes and peas, often served with tangy chutneys. – Key Steps: 1. Prepare spiced potato and pea filling. 2. Fill and fold samosa dough. 3. Deep fry until golden and crispy.

11. Masala Dosa – Description: Masala Dosa is a South Indian specialty, featuring a thin, crispy fermented rice crepe filled with a flavorful potato mixture. – Key Steps: 1. Prepare a spiced potato mixture. 2. Make a thin rice crepe (dosa) and fill with the mixture.

12. Aloo Paratha – Description: Aloo Paratha is a North Indian delight, consisting of whole wheat flatbreads stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes and served with yogurt and pickles. – Key Steps: 1. Prepare spiced potato filling. 2. Stuff the filling into rolled-out dough. 3. Cook on a griddle.

13. Tandoori Naan – Description: Tandoori Naan is a soft, fluffy Indian bread baked in a tandoor (clay oven) or on a stovetop griddle. – Key Steps: 1. Prepare a naan dough. 2. Roll and cook in a tandoor or griddle.

14. Chicken Korma – Description: Chicken Korma is a rich and creamy Mughlai curry, featuring tender chicken pieces cooked in a spiced yogurt and nut-based sauce. – Key Steps: 1. Cook chicken in a flavorful sauce with yogurt and ground nuts.

15. Dhokla – Description: Dhokla is a popular steamed snack from Gujarat, made from fermented rice and chickpea flour, often served with tangy chutneys. – Key Steps: 1. Ferment a rice and chickpea flour batter. 2. Steam until it’s fluffy and spongy.

16. Baingan Bharta – Description: Baingan Bharta is a North Indian dish featuring roasted eggplant mashed and cooked with spices, garlic, and tomatoes. – Key Steps: 1. Roast eggplant until charred. 2. Mash and sauté with spices and tomatoes.

17. Malai Kofta – Description: Malai Kofta is a rich and creamy curry where dumplings made from paneer and vegetables are served in a flavorful tomato and cream sauce. – Key Steps: 1. Prepare kofta (dumplings) and fry. 2. Simmer in a tomato and cream-based sauce.

18. Vada Pav – Description: Vada Pav is India’s answer to the burger, featuring a spicy potato fritter (vada) served in a bun, often accompanied by chutneys. – Key Steps: 1. Prepare spiced potato fritters. 2. Assemble in a bun with chutneys.

19. Hyderabadi Biryani – Description: Hyderabadi Biryani is a spicy and aromatic variation of biryani, often made with basmati rice, marinated meat, and a blend of spices. – Key Steps: 1. Marinate and cook the meat. 2. Layer with rice and spices. 3. Dum cook (slow steam) for perfection.

20. Rasgulla – Description: Rasgulla is a popular Bengali sweet made from chenna (paneer) balls soaked in sugar syrup, creating a spongy, sweet treat. – Key Steps: 1. Prepare chenna and shape into balls. 2. Boil and soak in sugar syrup.

Conclusion: There you have it, a tantalizing tour of the top 20 Indian dishes that will awaken your culinary senses. Whether you’re in the mood for a creamy and rich curry or craving some delectable street food, these dishes offer a variety of flavors and traditions from across the subcontinent. So, gather your spices and let the aroma of Indian cuisine fill your kitchen. Happy cooking and bon appétit!