Indian cuisine dates back more than 5000 years with each region having its own traditions, religion and culture which all influence food.
Hindus tend to be vegetarian and Muslims tend to have meat dishes, although pork is forbidden. Indian food has been influenced by Mongolian, Persian and Chinese culture and is meant to be eaten socially in groups until everyone is satisfied.
As we prepare to celebrate Indian Independence Day on Thursday, August 15, we’ve put together a three-course menu second to naan for you to wow family and friends at home:
Few people think of Indian food when they think of mussels, but they are loved on the West Coast and take spices and strong flavours really well. They are cooked in curries, stir-fried in dry masala, enveloped in pastries, baked in tarts, steamed in ‘jackets’ made from rice, stuffed and deep-fried... this is a typical mussel recipe from Kerala.
These are a sort of Indian tapas, good to pick at with some drinks. You can serve them however you like, in a big pile sprinkled with coriander and some lemon wedges, on little toasts brushed with coriander oil, or on the half shell on a bed of curry leaves.
Born from Indian and Malay influences, massaman curry is a staple on most restaurant menus with tender beef cooked with potatoes in a coconut cream sauce, garnished with shallots, peanuts and fresh coriander.
According to Chef Matt Sinclair from Sum Yung Guys:
"This recipe is perfect for batch cooking. Enjoy your meal hot and fresh from the oven, then put the rest in the freezer. The key to this dish is a few tablespoons of palm sugar for caramelisation; serve with fresh crunchy green beans, broccolini and steamed rice.”
Falooda is an iconic frozen dessert that you’ll find at every restaurant, ice cream bar and food joint on the Indian Subcontinent and it is also one of the easiest sweet treats to make at home, which can be customised with your favourite ingredients and toppings.
This falooda recipe, with rose syrup, almonds, raisins and pistachios, pays homage to memorable and nostalgic faloodas back in the home country, bringing that flavour to the taste buds of those who are new to it, or already familiar with the taste.
For more Indian culinary inspiration, click here.
