I’ve been lucky when it comes to Indian food. Short of actually going to India and trying the food there (which is on my to-do list!) I feel like I’ve been able to experience a wide variety of delicious Indian food thanks to the help of my Indian roommate.
I have tried Indian food from Michelin star restaurants, to pretty sub-par take away, but I’m really partial to the dishes which we cook at home.
It’s hard to choose my favorites because I don’t think I’ve had a horrible experience with Indian food, and most of the time I am left wanting more of what I ordered! I’ll try my best to describe my favorite types of dishes (so far!)
Aloo - Aloo baingan, aloo mutter, aloo mutter and gaajar, aloo ghobi, aloo tikki, aloo tikki chaat, aloo everything! I currently live in Ireland, legitimately thought of sometimes as the land of potatoes, and I swear that it could be possible that Indians consume way more potatoes than Irish people.
They’re so versatile and I’ve had them from being in sabzi’s on their own, to being mixed with Bengal Gram(Kala chana) is a south eastern sate specialty.
I was actually never a huge fan of potatoes growing up. To me they were a bit bland and usually missing something. I think I’ve discovered that they were missing an Indian flare!
Photo: Aloo Ghobi (Potato and Caulfilower)
Chole - Homemade or restaurant style, I have tried it all. I’ve had Chole Bhature from the Michelin Star restaurant I mentioned, and I’ve had simple dishes made at home, and I will always be giddy when I see it being served.
To be honest, I enjoy chickpeas in any form of Indian cuisine, whether it be a chaat or a main course, I don’t think I’d have it in me to say no thank you!
Photo: Chole Chawal (Chickpea curry and rice)
Dal - So simple and so comforting. Dal has become a staple in my house probably just as much as a few Indian households. It’s so quick and easy to make and just is so satisfying.
The first time I had dal, my service was part of a massive batch enough to feed copious amounts of university students. It tasted so bland to me. I honestly think it was just boiled lentils, I don’t even know if they added salt or turmeric.
The next time I had dal, I was a bit skeptical, but then I discovered the magic of the tadka. I know it’s not necessary to have in dal, but I love the flavour it brings! There’s wonder in the fact that an onion, a tomato, sometimes green chili, and a tiny amount of spices (especially cumin and hing!) can just make a dish perfect.
Also, don’t even get me started on dal makhani! I had that last night from one of the best Indian restaurants in Dublin it was just the best way to wrap up my weekend!
Photo: Dal Tadka
Paneer - It’s not an uncommon fact that some Americans really like cheesy dishes, so when I tried paneer for the first time about 3 years ago, it was no wonder I was drawn to it.
The difference was that paneer felt healthier than cheese back home, though trying to explain it was a bit complex since I come from a very small town which didn’t have any Indian restaurants until probably around 2017. I hope I don’t offend anyone, but the closest way that I was able to explain it was as ‘Indian cottage cheese with a tofu like consistency, that tastes amazing.’
I absolutely love paneer in any from. I like the simplicity of paneer burji (this was the first of many Indian dishes that I made completely on my own and it actually tasted good!), but I love any type of paneer curry. Mutter paneer, shahi paneer, kadhai paneer, palak paneer, I get hungry just thinking about it!
In all honesty, probably about 8 out of 10 times going to an Indian restaurant, I’ll order the paneer dish :)
Photo: Kadhai Paneer (Paneer with peppers and onions)
Rajma - Growing up, one of my favourite cuisines was Mexican, and Tex-Mex, which is a fusion cuisine between the US and Mexico. One of the best dishes from this variety was Chili, which is basically like a bit of a stew with chili, beans, and meat (if you’d like).
This is where I was introduced to kidney beans. I absolutely loved the taste of them and would look forward to a bit pot of chili when I was growing up.
When I moved in with my Indian roommates, I learned that India had it’s own take on kidney beans in the form of rajma. From my understanding it’s another comfort food which is made at home, or sometimes found being sold by street vendors, and it is comfort to me. It’s such a hearty filling meal that just warms you up. I still haven’t mastered cooking this dish yet, but it’s on my to do list!
Photo: Rajma Chawal with pickle (Kidney Beans and Rice)
Disclaimer: All photos are mine, and show my homecooked meals, which is why they’re sometimes not the prettiest pictures, but hopefully they get across my love of Indian food!