Craving the rich flavors of Indian cuisine but intimidated by complex recipes?
Fear not, as mastering delicious Indian meals at home doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
From Tandoori Chicken to Saag Paneer, these 20 easy Indian dishes will guide you through simple steps to create mouth-watering meals right in your kitchen.
This blog will explore a variety of easy-to-follow recipes, including Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Vegetable Biryani, and even how to make your own Naan, ensuring a delightful culinary journey without the stress.
Mastering Tandoori Chicken: An Easy Indian Food Guide
Tandoori Chicken, with its vibrant colors and smoky flavor, is a beloved dish in Indian cuisine. Originating from the Indian subcontinent, this dish is traditionally cooked in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven that imparts a unique charred flavor. However, you can achieve similar results at home using your oven or grill.
The secret to the rich flavor of Tandoori Chicken lies in its marinade. A blend of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices like garam masala, cayenne pepper, and turmeric not only adds depth but also tenderizes the chicken. For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to allow the flavors to fully penetrate.
Cooking Tandoori Chicken at a high temperature is crucial for that signature char. Whether using an oven or grill, ensure it’s preheated to the highest setting. Cook the chicken until it’s beautifully charred and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Serve with naan or rice and a side of mint chutney for a complete meal.
Crafting Chicken Tikka Masala at Home
Crafting Chicken Tikka Masala at home begins with marinating the chicken. Use yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices like garam masala and chili powder. Marinate the chicken for at least a couple of hours, though overnight is ideal for maximum flavor.
For the sauce, sauté onions in butter until golden, then add ginger garlic paste and tomato puree. Cook until the oil begins to separate. Add the marinated chicken, water, and simmer until the chicken is tender. Finish with cream and garnish with fresh coriander. Serve with basmati rice or naan.
Simple Steps to Delicious Butter Chicken
To make Butter Chicken, start by sautéing onions and garlic in butter until soft. Add spices such as garam masala, ginger, and chili powder, followed by tomato sauce. This creates a rich, creamy base that is characteristic of this dish.
Add marinated chicken chunks to the sauce and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Stir in cream to enrich the sauce, adjusting the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve the Butter Chicken with naan or rice, garnished with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Chicken Madras: A Spicy Homemade Indian Food Favorite
Chicken Madras is known for its bold, spicy flavors. Start by heating oil and sautéing cloves, cardamom, and finely chopped onions. Add minced garlic, ginger, and green chilies, followed by spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander.
Add chicken pieces and tomato puree, simmering until the chicken is tender. Finish by sprinkling garam masala and garnishing with fresh cilantro. Serve Chicken Madras with boiled rice or naan for a satisfying, spicy meal.
Easy Chicken Biryani: A Flavorful Homemade Indian Dish
Chicken Biryani, a celebrated dish in Indian cuisine, combines fragrant basmati rice with spiced chicken. The key to a perfect Chicken Biryani lies in the layering process, where steaming hot, partially cooked rice is layered over marinated and partially cooked chicken. This method allows the flavors to meld beautifully as they finish cooking together.
The spices used in Chicken Biryani, such as saffron, cardamom, and cloves, are crucial for achieving the dish’s signature aroma and taste. Before layering, the chicken is marinated with these spices along with yogurt and fried onions, which adds depth and richness to the flavor profile. The rice is also seasoned with salt and sometimes a pinch of biryani masala to enhance its taste.
The cooking process involves sealing the pot tightly, traditionally with dough, to trap the steam and ensure even cooking. This method, known as ‘dum’ cooking, helps the rice to absorb the spiced chicken’s flavors fully, resulting in a dish that is both visually appealing and deliciously aromatic. Serve Chicken Biryani hot, garnished with fried onions and fresh herbs like cilantro or mint for an extra touch of flavor.
How to Make Vegetable Biryani: A Simple Indian Recipe
Vegetable Biryani offers a delightful vegetarian twist on the traditional meat-based biryani, using a variety of vegetables and aromatic spices. Key ingredients include basmati rice, potatoes, cauliflower, beans, and carrots, along with spices like saffron, cardamom, and garam masala. These components are layered and cooked to merge into a flavorful, colorful dish.
To prepare Vegetable Biryani, start by sautéing the vegetables until they are just tender. Layer these with partially cooked rice in a heavy-bottomed pot, sprinkling each layer with saffron-infused milk and ghee. Cook on a low flame to allow the flavors to infuse the rice, creating a dish that’s as aromatic as it is tasty. Serve hot, garnished with fried onions and fresh herbs.
Saag Paneer: A Creamy, Easy Indian Dish
Saag Paneer is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and spinach with a mixture of spices. To start, you’ll need to prepare your spinach by either microwaving frozen spinach or blanching fresh spinach, then squeezing out the excess water. Next, in a pan, melt some ghee and sauté turmeric and chili powder briefly before adding the paneer cubes. Cook the paneer until golden, then set aside.
For the spice base, blend together onions, garlic, ginger, and a green chili to create a flavorful mixture. Cook this blend in the same pan used for the paneer, adding a pinch of salt and a splash of water if needed, until it turns a caramel color. Add the spinach to the pan, followed by garam masala, and cook for a few minutes to let the flavors meld. Finally, reintroduce the paneer to the pan, heating everything together before serving. This dish is best enjoyed with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the top.
Simple and Satisfying Lentil Dal Recipe
Lentil Dal, a staple in Indian cuisine, is both nutritious and comforting, making it a perfect addition to your repertoire of easy Indian dishes. This dish primarily uses red lentils, known for their quick cooking time and creamy texture when prepared. The process begins by sautéing aromatics like onions, garlic, and ginger, along with spices such as turmeric and cumin, which provide a robust flavor foundation for the dal.
After the base flavors are set, the rinsed lentils are added along with vegetable stock and coconut milk, which contribute to the dal’s richness and creamy consistency. The lentil mixture is then simmered until it reaches the perfect tenderness. Here are some pointers for a successful Lentil Dal: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, taste and adjust seasoning as needed, and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley for a fresh, herbal note. Serve this delightful dish with basmati rice or warm naan for a complete meal.
Easy Homemade Samosas: A Popular Indian Snack
Samosas are a beloved Indian snack, known for their crispy pastry and savory filling. To start, make the dough by mixing flour, ajwain seeds, and salt. Gradually add oil, mixing with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This process is crucial as it ensures the flakiness of the samosa pastry.
Next, slowly add water to form a stiff dough. It’s important not to overwork the dough; just bring it together so it’s firm. Cover the dough with a moist cloth and let it rest for about 40 minutes. This resting period helps the gluten in the dough relax, which will make the samosas easier to shape.
While the dough rests, prepare the filling. Common fillings include spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat, but you can customize with your favorite ingredients. Cook your chosen filling ingredients with spices like turmeric, garam masala, and cumin until well combined. Once the filling is ready and the dough has rested, you’re set to assemble and fry your samosas to golden perfection.
Baking Homemade Naan: A Simple Indian Bread Recipe
Preparing homemade Naan, a staple in Indian cuisine, begins with creating the dough. Combine warm water, honey, and yeast in a bowl, allowing the mixture to rest until it becomes foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active. Next, add all-purpose flour, plain yogurt, salt, baking powder, and an egg to the mixture. Using either a stand mixer with a dough hook or your hands, mix until the dough is smooth yet slightly sticky.
After mixing, it’s crucial to let the dough rise properly to achieve the perfect texture of Naan. Place the dough in a greased bowl, covering it with a damp towel, and set it in a warm area for about an hour or until it doubles in size. Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into small balls. Roll each ball into an oval shape, about 1/4-inch thick, ready for cooking in a hot skillet until golden brown on each side. Serve your freshly baked Naan warm, possibly brushed with garlic butter for added flavor.
Gobi Manchurian: An Easy Indo-Chinese Dish
Gobi Manchurian is a delightful Indo-Chinese fusion dish that combines crispy fried cauliflower with a spicy, tangy sauce. The process begins by coating cauliflower florets in a thick batter made from all-purpose flour, cornmeal, and spices, then deep frying them until golden and crispy. This ensures that each piece of cauliflower has a satisfying crunch that holds up well under the sauce.
The sauce for Gobi Manchurian is robust and flavorful, incorporating ingredients like soy sauce, ketchup, and chile-garlic sauce for depth and heat. After stir-frying onions, garlic, ginger, and green chilies to release their aromatic flavors, the sauce mixture is added and cooked until thickened. The crispy cauliflower is then tossed in this sauce, ensuring each floret is evenly coated, and garnished with green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Simple Homemade Lamb Curry Recipe
To start your Lamb Curry, marinate the lamb to infuse it with flavors. Mix Kashmiri red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric, cumin powder, coriander powder, salt, and Kasuri methi with yogurt. Coat the lamb pieces in this mixture and refrigerate for a few hours, ideally overnight. This step is crucial as it allows the spices to deeply penetrate the meat, enhancing the overall taste of your curry.
For cooking, heat oil or ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot and add whole spices such as bay leaves, green and black cardamoms, and cinnamon until they sizzle. Add the marinated lamb and braise it on medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning. After about 10 minutes, add hot water and let it simmer. This slow cooking process helps the lamb become tender and absorb the rich flavors from the spices and marinade. Serve your Lamb Curry hot, garnished with fresh coriander, alongside rice or naan for a complete meal.
Making Egg Curry: A Quick and Easy Indian Dish
Egg Curry is a delightful dish that combines hard-boiled eggs with a spicy tomato and onion gravy. Start by heating oil in a pan and adding spices such as cumin seeds, followed by finely chopped onions, garlic, and ginger. Once the onions turn golden, incorporate green chilies, turmeric, and red chili powder, creating a vibrant base for the curry.
Next, add grated tomatoes and cook until the oil separates from the mixture. Introduce the boiled eggs, gently placing them into the pan, and coat them with the masala. Simmer the curry until the eggs are heated through and have absorbed some of the flavors. For a richer curry, some prefer to add a bit of yogurt or cream before serving. Serve hot with rice or roti for a comforting meal.
How to Prepare Mulligatawny Soup
Mulligatawny Soup is a rich, flavorful dish that blends Indian spices with elements typically found in Western-style soups. Its main ingredients include lentils, chicken, and a variety of spices such as turmeric, cumin, and coriander, creating a comforting and satisfying meal. This soup is not only delightful on the palate but also offers a hearty experience that can be enjoyed as a main course.
The preparation of Mulligatawny Soup involves sautéing onions, garlic, and ginger, then adding spices to release their aromatic flavors. Following this, ingredients like diced chicken, lentils, and stock are combined and simmered until everything melds together into a creamy consistency without the actual cream. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable stock. This versatile soup can be tailored to various dietary preferences, making it a perfect dish to master for any home cook.
Mango Lassi: An Easy Indian Refreshment
Mango Lassi is a delightful, creamy beverage that’s a staple in Indian cuisine and perfect for cooling down on a hot day. To make this refreshing drink, you’ll need ripe mangoes, plain yogurt, milk, sugar or honey, and a dash of ground cardamom for an authentic touch. The process involves blending these ingredients until smooth, creating a rich, flavorful smoothie-like consistency.
Here are some tips for perfecting your Mango Lassi:
- Choose ripe, sweet mangoes for the best natural sweetness.
- Adjust the sugar or honey based on the sweetness of the mangoes.
- Add a pinch of cardamom for a subtle, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the lassi.
Serve your Mango Lassi chilled for an invigorating treat that pairs wonderfully with spicy Indian dishes or enjoys it as a standalone refreshment.
Brewing Masala Chai: A Simple Indian Tea Recipe
Brewing Masala Chai involves a delightful mix of spices and tea, creating a warm, invigorating drink. Start by boiling water in a saucepan, then add crushed spices such as cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon to release their flavors. Once the water is aromatic, add black tea leaves or tea bags, and let them steep to develop a deep, rich base.
After the tea has steeped, pour in milk to bring a creamy texture to the chai. Allow the mixture to return to a boil, then simmer it until the chai becomes smooth and creamy. Finally, strain the chai through a sieve to remove the solids, sweeten with sugar to taste, and serve hot. This simple process results in a comforting cup of Masala Chai, perfect for any time of day.
Bateka Nu Shaak: A Simple Gujarati Dish
Bateka Nu Shaak is a classic Gujarati potato curry known for its simplicity and delightful taste. This dish begins by boiling potatoes until they are just tender, then peeling and chopping them into cubes. The preparation is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for a quick and satisfying meal.
The cooking process involves tempering mustard seeds, sesame seeds, and curry leaves in hot oil, which releases a fragrant aroma. Then, add the potato cubes along with turmeric and a ginger-green chili paste, adjusting the spice level to your preference. Cook everything together until the potatoes are well-coated with the spices and flavors have melded, creating a comforting and hearty dish.
Easy Papdi Chaat: A Homemade Indian Street Food Guide
Assembling Papdi Chaat at home is a fun and interactive way to enjoy this popular Indian street food. Start by arranging 6 to 8 papdi (crispy flat puris) on a plate. Layer these with boiled potato cubes and cooked chickpeas. You can also add chopped onions and tomatoes for extra crunch and flavor. This base provides a perfect canvas for the vibrant toppings that follow.
To bring the chaat to life, generously sprinkle over some chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, and, if you like a bit of heat, some Kashmiri red chili powder. Drizzle with cold, whisked curd and a combination of chutneys—mint-coriander, tamarind, and spicy chili garlic—to taste. Each element adds a unique flavor, creating a delightful contrast. Finally, garnish with fresh coriander leaves and pomegranate arils for a fresh, tangy finish. Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp texture of the papdi.
Homemade Mango Chutney: Simple and Flavorful
Making your own Mango Chutney at home is a simple and rewarding process. Start by selecting semi-ripe mangoes, which balance sweetness and tartness nicely. Rinse, peel, and dice the mangoes into small pieces. In a deep pot, heat some oil and sauté whole spices like cinnamon, green cardamoms, and star anise until they release their aroma. Then, add grated ginger and other ground spices, except for black pepper, stirring them well to combine.
Next, incorporate the diced mangoes into the pot along with sugar, vinegar, and jaggery to create a sweet and tangy mixture. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the mangoes are tender and the chutney thickens, which usually takes about 25 minutes. Remember to adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper according to your taste. Once done, let the chutney cool before storing it in a glass jar. This homemade chutney pairs wonderfully with many dishes, enhancing flavors with its unique blend of sweet and spicy notes.
Coconut Burfi Brownie Bites: An Easy Fusion Dessert
Coconut Burfi Brownie Bites are a delightful fusion dessert that combines the creamy sweetness of traditional Indian coconut burfi with the rich, chocolatey goodness of Western-style brownies. This dessert is perfect for those who love to experiment with different cuisines and are looking for a unique treat that blends the best of both worlds.
The preparation involves making a coconut burfi layer, which includes grated coconut, condensed milk, and cardamom, spread over a baked brownie base. The result is a multi-layered dessert that offers a surprising contrast of flavors and textures, making it a hit at any gathering. Serve these bites as a fancy dessert at dinner parties or enjoy them with a cup of tea for a special afternoon treat.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good starter Indian dish?
A good starter Indian dish is Tandoori Chicken. It’s a popular choice with vibrant colors and a smoky flavor, traditionally cooked in a tandoor but can be made at home using an oven or grill. The chicken is marinated in a blend of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices like garam masala, cayenne pepper, and turmeric, which tenderizes the chicken and infuses rich flavors.
What are the top 5 Indian dishes?
The top 5 Indian dishes mentioned in the blog are Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Chicken Biryani, and Vegetable Biryani. These dishes are celebrated for their rich flavors and are among the easier Indian dishes to prepare at home.
What is a nice mild Indian dish?
A nice mild Indian dish is Butter Chicken. It consists of marinated chicken chunks cooked in a creamy, rich tomato-based sauce with mild spices such as garam masala, ginger, and chili powder. It’s typically less spicy and has a smooth, buttery flavor that makes it a pleasant choice for those who prefer milder dishes.
What is the most easiest dishes to cook?
One of the easiest dishes to cook is the Lentil Dal. It uses simple ingredients like red lentils, onions, garlic, and ginger, along with spices such as turmeric and cumin. The lentils cook quickly and result in a creamy, comforting dish that is both nutritious and easy to prepare.
