Unlock the Mysteries behind Indian Cuisine

Indian curries are celebrated globally and considered a quintessential component of any Indian meal. Head over to any Indian restaurant in Berwick and you will be able to find a variety of incredible curries.

What actually is a curry?

A term coined by British colonists, “curry” refers to Indian savoury dishes which have vegetables, meat, poultry, or fish and are seasoned with a variety of spices. Spices are a specialty in Indian cuisine and you are always likely to come across a new spice mix in every curry that adds a whole new dimension to its taste.

What are some Indian non-vegetarian treats?

Tandoori Chicken: An absolute delight to eat, tandoori chicken is a chicken dish that involves marination of an entire chicken in spices and yoghurt and then roasting it in a cylindrical oven of clay called a tandoor. It tastes incredible and goes best with naan (flatbread) or biryani (an aromatic rice dish).

Mutton Roganjosh: Yet another popular Indian dish, the mutton roganjosh has its roots in the Indian province of Kashmir. It is a rich, spicy, and aromatic curry and the gravy is to die for.

What are some popular vegetarian dishes?

Indian food has something for everyone and is extremely well-known for its diversity in vegetarian food offerings. This is why visiting a great Indian restaurant when you are in Berwick is a great idea- there is always going to be something for you. Two of the most popular ones are:

Malai Kofta: An exotic dish, the malai kofta is a meatball-like item which is made from cottage cheese, potatoes, and milk solids. When put in rich, aromatic gravy, the result is a stunning dish, unlike anything you will have tasted on any palate before.

Kadhai Paneer:  This is an incredibly flavoursome dish that has fried cubes of cottage cheese in a thick, creamy gravy. What works so well for this dish is the perfect blend of the paneer with tomato puree, cream, and a number of herbs and spices. Clarified butter (ghee) and cashew paste are often used to intensify the taste.

What about Indian Snacks?

Indian snacks are lip-smacking. India is known worldwide for its street foods.

Papdi Chaat: A chaat is a savoury snack which is served as an appetizer or a palate cleanser, involving a number of interesting elements. One variety of chaat called the papdi chaat involves crisp crackers called papdi to be loaded with yoghurt, potatoes, chutneys, and other crunchy and tangy elements. This refreshing and inexpensive snack is sold at every Indian street corner but you should have no trouble finding it in one of Berwick’s top Indian restaurants.

Pani Puri: Another common street snack, it involves a hollow “puri” a small dough ball fried to a crisp and then filled with an amazing mixture of flavoured water, potato, onion, chickpeas, tamarind, mint, or coriander chutney, and chaat masala.

How should Indian spices be purchased and stored?

If you are interested in cooking with Indian flavours and techniques, gathering the right spices is a must. You should always purchase your spices whole so that the aroma and flavour are retained for a longer time. These taste better and fresher as well if you grind them just before cooking. They should be stored in airtight containers in a cool and dark place.