Indian food includes different cuisines from India and its neighboring places. They use different spices, herbs, vegetables and fruits to create unique dishes. Many popular Indian restaurants today are first-generation or family-owned establishments. When you are new to this kitchen, it is important to know what kind of food to order. Here are some reminders on what to buy at an Indian restaurant:
know what to eat
Indian food has different spices, sauces and marinated meats and vegetables. His influence came from different countries, such as China, Persia, Portugal and England. The Indian religion, which is Buddhism, also affects the choice of food, so most of them prefer to eat vegetables rather than meat.
– Appetizers: Most Indian appetizers are fried pastries with creamy soups and raw vegetable salads. They often serve it with sauces, such as chutney or yogurt, to balance out the spiciness. The most famous appetizer is samosa, a deep-fried dough with mixed vegetables, meat, and spices inside a dough. Another popular cake is a pakora, which is similar to a samosa. The only difference is that people fry it without putting the ingredients inside the batter.
– Drinks: Indian drinks are sweet to complement the spiciness of your food. Most people prefer to order a lassi, a sweet yogurt-based smoothie. A sweet drink, such as panakam, with water, sugar, ginger, and lime juice is also a favorite among foodies. If you are looking for alcoholic drinks, you can order an India Pale Ales or an IPA.
– Main Dishes – There are restaurants that offer a totally vegetarian meal for people who do not eat meat. There are cases in which cooks convert their meat dishes with a vegetable alternative to suit the customer. The best main dish to order is a curry. It is made of meat or vegetables soaked in a yogurt or coconut-based marinade. When you go to an Indian restaurant, most dishes consist of lamb, chicken, rice, or spinach.
– Desserts: Indians love sugar and milk based desserts with fresh fruits. Most restaurants sweeten their desserts and ice creams with fruits, such as pomegranates, mangoes, and bananas. A popular pudding is kheer, which is a rice pudding with raisins, cardamom, and cinnamon.
Spicy and salsa food options
People who love spicy foods go to Indian restaurants because they have different levels of spiciness from mild to very spicy. Never go for the spiciest dishes if you are just starting out. You will most likely forgo food and waste your money after eating one bite. Stick to mild foods and ask for a spicier dish when you think you can handle it.
There is a general rule in Indian cuisine that you order a dish with a lot of sauce with other, drier food. The sauce gives a better flavor to the rice. You can also order a Chapati, Paratha and Naan to balance out the drier dishes.
The rich flavors, spices and creamy sauces of Indian cuisine are becoming popular with people all over the world. Those who love vegetables, sugar and milk based foods and spicy dishes visit restaurants frequently. When you are looking for a delicious dish, an Indian restaurant is the best option.