The Top 10 Delicious Recipes to Try at Home
By Jaya Pathak
Food is indeed a necessity and eating tasty, crunchy and delicious food items is like catering to your tummy!! When it comes to India, there is a huge variety of food from North Indian to Southern India. Our country is truly blessed with food- in taste as well as in recipe too. Even the food items too reflect the rich culture of our country- whether it is Idli Dosa of South or LittiChokha of Bihar; each has a unique taste and represent the culture through the food.
In this festive season, don’t forget to make everyone stunned by your delicious food recipes. This Diwali, try some mouth-watering dishes at home. Here presenting the top 10 food recipes to try at home: –
01. Dal Makhani:
It is made primarily from black urad dal (black gram lentils) and red kidney beans, simmered with aromatic spices and a luscious combination of butter and cream. The dish is slow-cooked to achieve its signature creamy consistency, which is both indulgent and satisfying.
The preparation of Dal Makhani begins with soaking and cooking the lentils and beans until they are tender. Then, a blend of spices, including garam masala, cumin, and coriander, is added to create a depth of flavour. The magic of this dish lies in the final touch, where generous amounts of butter and cream are incorporated, making it a luxurious and velvety delight.
Dal Makhani is typically served with rice or Indian bread like naan or roti, and it’s a favorite in many North Indian households and restaurants around the world. Its creamy, savory, and slightly spicy taste makes it an irresistible treat for anyone who enjoys Indian cuisine.
02. Cheese Sandwich:
A cheese sandwich is a classic and straightforward dish that has delighted taste buds for generations. It’s a simple dish typically consisting of two slices of bread with cheese placed between them. There are various ways to make a cheese sandwich, and the type of cheese used can vary widely, including popular choices like cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or American cheese.
To make a basic cheese sandwich, you start by spreading butter or mayonnaise on the slices of bread. Then, you place slices of cheese between the bread slices. Optionally, you can add ingredients like tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, or condiments such as mustard or ketchup to enhance the flavour. The sandwich can be grilled or toasted for a warm, melty version or enjoyed cold as a quick and easy snack.
Cheese sandwiches are versatile and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. They are a popular choice for a quick lunch or a comforting snack, loved by people of all ages.
03. Pav Bhaji:
Pav Bhaji is a popular street food dish in India, particularly in Mumbai. It consists of a spiced and mashed vegetable curry, known as “bhaji,” served with soft, buttered rolls called “pav.” This dish is loved for its delicious taste and is a favourite among people of all ages.
To prepare Pav Bhaji, a variety of vegetables such as potatoes, peas, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions are boiled and then mashed. The mixture is then cooked with a blend of aromatic spices, including red chili powder, cumin, coriander, and garam masala, to create a rich and spicy curry. Butter is often added generously to enhance the flavour.
The pav, which are small, soft bread rolls, are sliced and toasted with butter on a griddle, giving them a crisp exterior and a warm, buttery taste. They are served alongside the bhaji.
Pav Bhaji is typically garnished with chopped onions, coriander leaves, and a squeeze of lemon juice. It’s a beloved street food and a common dish in many Indian households, known for its tantalizing taste and the comfort it offers, making it a popular choice for both lunch and dinner.
04. Shahi Paneer:
Shahi Paneer is a famous North Indian dish that is rich, creamy, and fit for royalty. “Shahi” means “royal” in Hindi, and this dish lives up to its name with its indulgent ingredients and regal flavours. Shahi Paneer primarily features cubes of paneer cooked in a luscious and silky tomato-based gravy.
The gravy for Shahi Paneer is prepared by blending together tomatoes, cashews, and cream, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture. It is flavoured with a mix of aromatic spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and garam masala, which contribute to the dish’s distinctive taste. Some variations of Shahi Paneer may also include ground nuts, saffron, and even dried fruits like raisins or almonds, adding to its opulence.
The paneer cubes are gently simmered in this rich gravy until they absorb the flavours and become tender. Shahi Paneer is often garnished with fresh cream and chopped coriander leaves, enhancing its visual appeal and creamy consistency.
This dish is typically served with naan, roti, or rice and is a favourite at special occasions, weddings, and fine dining restaurants, owing to its royal and sumptuous character.
05. Lahsuniya Palak:
Lahsuniya Palak is a popular and flavourful Indian vegetarian dish. It features fresh spinach leaves cooked with a generous number of garlic, creating a dish that’s not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious.
To make Lahsuniya Palak, spinach leaves are thoroughly cleaned, and any tough stems are usually removed. They are then blanched briefly in boiling water to retain their vibrant green colour and nutrients. In a separate pan, a tempering of garlic, cumin seeds, and sometimes green chilies is prepared. The blanched spinach is then added to the tempering, and the mixture is cooked until the spinach is wilted and well-cooked. The garlic imparts a distinct and robust flavour to the dish.
Lahsuniya Palak is often seasoned with additional spices like turmeric, coriander, and garam masala to enhance its taste. Some variations of this dish also include ingredients like tomatoes or cream for added richness and flavour.
This dish can be served as a side dish or as a main course, accompanied by rice or Indian bread such as roti or naan.
06. Butter Chicken:
Butter Chicken is a classic North Indian cuisine favourite and has gained worldwide popularity.To prepare Butter Chicken, boneless chicken pieces are marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices, which may include garam masala, ginger, garlic, and various seasonings. The marinated chicken is then traditionally cooked in a tandoor (a clay oven), which imparts a smoky flavour and tenderizes the meat. However, it can also be cooked using other methods like grilling or skillet cooking.
The creamy tomato sauce is made with tomatoes, cream, butter, and a combination of aromatic spices. The cooked and marinated chicken is added to this rich sauce, and the dish is simmered until the flavours meld together. This results in a luxurious, slightly sweet, and mildly spiced sauce that perfectly complements the tender chicken.
Butter Chicken is often garnished with fresh cream and chopped coriander leaves and is typically served with naan, roti, or rice. It’s a restaurant favourite and a comfort food for many, known for its creamy, savory, and slightly sweet taste.
07. Mendu Vada:
Medu Vada is a popular South Indian snack made from urad dal (black gram lentils) batter. These deep-fried, doughnut-shaped fritters are known for their crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior. They are a staple in South Indian cuisine and are also commonly enjoyed throughout India.
To prepare Medu Vada, urad dal is soaked, ground into a thick batter, and then mixed with spices such as cumin seeds, chopped curry leaves, green chilies, and sometimes grated coconut or ginger for added flavour. The batter is whipped to incorporate air and create a light and airy texture.
Traditionally, the vada batter is shaped into a ring with a hole in the centre, similar to a doughnut, and then deep-fried until golden brown. This results in a crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior. The vadas are typically served with coconut chutney and sambar, a spicy lentil-based vegetable stew, making them a popular choice for breakfast or as a snack.
08. Paneer Paratha:
Paneer Paratha offers a delightful combination of the soft, cheesy paneer filling and the crisp whole wheat crust, making it a favourite among those who appreciate the flavours of Indian cuisine. It’s a popular choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Indian households and is enjoyed for its hearty and satisfying flavours.
To prepare Paneer Paratha, a filling is made by mashing paneer and mixing it with various spices, including green chilies, coriander leaves, cumin, and garam masala. This mixture is then used to stuff the paratha.
The paratha dough is made from whole wheat flour and water, sometimes with a bit of oil or ghee (clarified butter) for added richness. Small portions of the dough are rolled out into circles, and the paneer filling is placed in the centre. The edges of the dough are folded over to seal the filling, and the paratha is rolled out into a flat, round shape.
The stuffed paratha is then cooked on a hot griddle or skillet, with a little ghee or oil, until it’s golden brown on both sides. It’s often served hot with yogurt, pickles, or chutney on the side.
09. Dal Bati Churma:
Dal Baati Churma is a classic traditional Rajasthani dish. To prepare it, start by making the dough for baatis: mix whole wheat flour, semolina, ghee, salt, and water into a firm dough. Shape small rounds and bake them in an oven until they’re golden and crisp.
Dal is made from a mix of different lentils, usually toor dal (pigeon pea) or moong dal (green gram). The lentils are cooked with spices like cumin, mustard seeds, and asafoetida and then tempered with ghee (clarified butter) and aromatic spices like coriander, cumin, and red chili powder.
Churma is a sweet and crumbly dessert made from coarsely ground wheat flour and semolina, cooked with ghee and jaggery (unrefined cane sugar). It’s often flavoured with cardamom and is sometimes garnished with chopped nuts.
Serve the crispy baatis with the flavourful dal, garnished with more ghee and accompanied by a portion of sweet churma.
10. Kaanda Poha:
Kaanda Poha, also known simply as Poha, is a popular and traditional Indian breakfast dish that hails from the western state of Maharashtra. It is quick and easy to prepare, making it a favourite choice for a morning meal.
To make Kaanda Poha, Poha are rinsed to remove any excess starch and then soaked briefly in water. While they soak, a tempering is prepared in a pan with ingredients like mustard seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric, curry leaves, and green chilies. Chopped onions and often, peanuts, are added to the tempering and sautéed until they become translucent. The soaked poha is then added to the pan and gently mixed with the seasoned onions. The dish is typically garnished with fresh coriander leaves and sometimes a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavour.
Kaanda Poha is a light and nutritious breakfast that offers a balance of textures and flavours, with the softness of the poha, the crunch of peanuts, and the warmth of the spices. It’s commonly served with a side of tea and is a staple in many Maharashtrian households.
11. Badam Halwa:
Badam Halwa is a delectable Indian dessert made from almonds, sugar, ghee (clarified butter), and aromatic spices. This sweet and rich halwa is a favourite during festive occasions and celebrations.
To prepare Badam Halwa, whole almonds are soaked, blanched to remove the skin, and then ground into a smooth paste. This almond paste is then sautéed in ghee until it turns golden brown, which enhances its flavour and aroma. Sugar is added to sweeten the mixture, and the halwa is further cooked until it thickens.
The Badam Halwa is often flavoured with cardamom powder, which adds a delightful aroma and taste. Some recipes also include a touch of saffron for a beautiful yellow colour and a subtle flavour. Chopped or slivered almonds are commonly used as a garnish to add a bit of texture to the smooth halwa.
Badam Halwa is a rich and indulgent dessert, served hot or warm, and it’s a beloved sweet treat in Indian cuisine, cherished for its nutty and sweet taste.
