6 Popular Indian Recipes: The Art of Indian Cooking

Indian cuisine is renowned for its vibrant colours, bold spices, and complex flavour profiles. Each dish tells a story of rich history and cultural tradition, and many have become staples in kitchens across the world. From comforting curries to indulgent tandoori meats, these recipes showcase the magic of Indian cooking, which combines diverse regional ingredients and techniques. In this article, we’ll explore six popular Indian recipes that will bring the authentic taste of India into your home kitchen, from smoky tandoori chicken to indulgent butter chicken and aromatic biryani.

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1. Smoky Tandoori Style Chicken – Made Using Only One Pan!

Tandoori Chicken is one of the most iconic dishes in Indian cuisine. Traditionally cooked in a cylindrical clay oven called a tandoor, this dish gets its smoky flavour and charred exterior from the intense heat of the tandoor. But what if you don’t have a tandoori oven? Fear not! This simplified recipe allows you to recreate that authentic smoky tandoori flavour using just one pan.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken (cut into pieces, bone-in)
• 1 cup plain yoghurt
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
• Fresh coriander for garnish
• Charcoal (optional, for smokiness)

Method:

1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, cumin powder, garam masala, lemon juice, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and mix well. Cover and let it marinate for at least an hour, preferably overnight in the fridge.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat a large pan or skillet on medium heat. Add the oil and ghee. Once the pan is hot, add the marinated chicken pieces and cook for 10-12 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly charred. For an authentic smoky flavour, you can add a small piece of charcoal to the pan and carefully smoke the chicken by covering the pan for a few minutes.
3. Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with naan or rice for a delicious meal.

2. Indian Chicken Curry – Simple Chicken Curry with Amazing Flavours!

Chicken curry, or Murgh Kari, is a classic Indian dish that is rich in spices but simple in execution. The beauty of this curry lies in its use of basic ingredients that come together to create a dish that is both comforting and full of flavour.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (cut into 16 pieces, bone-in)
• 2 onions (finely chopped)
• 2 tomatoes (pureed)
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 tablespoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 cup water
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Method:

1. Prepare the base: Heat oil in a large pan or pot. Add the cumin seeds and sauté until fragrant. Add the chopped onions and cook until golden brown.
2. Add the spices: Stir in the ginger-garlic paste, followed by the pureed tomatoes, turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, and salt. Let the mixture cook for 10 minutes until the oil separates from the masala.
3. Cook the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot and stir well to coat the chicken with the spice mixture. Pour in water, cover, and let it simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
4. Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with steamed rice or chapati.

3. Easy Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) – A Popular Restaurant Indian Spiced Chicken Curry

Butter Chicken (or Murgh Makhani) is a rich, creamy, and mildly spiced curry that has become a favourite in Indian restaurants across the world. This easy-to-make recipe brings the same delicious flavours to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

• 500g boneless chicken (cut into pieces)
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Method:

1. Cook the chicken: Heat a pan and add a little butter. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
2. Make the gravy: In the same pan, melt the remaining butter and sauté the ginger-garlic paste. Add the tomato puree, red chilli powder, and garam masala. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Finish the curry: Add the cooked chicken to the gravy and stir in the cream. Let it cook for 5-10 minutes until the curry is rich and creamy.
4. Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with naan or steamed rice.

4. Homemade Spicy Chicken Biryani – Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Chicken Biryani is a fragrant and flavourful rice dish that’s rich with spices and tender chicken. It’s a celebratory dish that requires patience and care, but the results are always worth it. This recipe is simple enough for beginners but still delivers that authentic biryani taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken (cut into pieces)
• 2 cups basmati rice (washed and soaked for 30 minutes)
• 2 onions (sliced)
• 2 tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• Fresh coriander and mint leaves for garnish
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Cook the rice: In a large pot, boil water with salt, cumin seeds, and a couple of cloves. Add the soaked basmati rice and cook until 70% done. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the chicken: Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onions until golden. Add the ginger-garlic paste, followed by the tomatoes, spices (turmeric, red chilli powder, garam masala), and salt. Cook for 10 minutes until the oil separates from the masala. Add the chicken and cook until it is browned and cooked through.
3. Layer the biryani: In a large pot, layer half of the cooked rice, followed by the chicken mixture. Top with the remaining rice and garnish with mint and coriander.
4. Cook the biryani: Cover and cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
5. Serve: Serve the biryani with raita or a side salad.

5. Indian Dahl – This Dahl Boasts an Indulgent Creaminess That Will Have You Licking Your Spoon!

Dahl is a comfort food in India, made from lentils that are simmered with spices to create a rich, creamy stew. It’s a popular dish for vegetarians and vegans due to its high protein content, and it pairs beautifully with rice or flatbreads like roti.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils (washed)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 tomatoes (pureed)
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish
• 1 tablespoon ghee (optional)

Method:

1. Cook the lentils: In a pot, add the washed lentils and enough water to cover them. Cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes until the lentils are soft and mushy.
2. Prepare the tempering: Heat ghee or oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and sauté until fragrant. Add onions and cook until golden. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and tomatoes, followed by the spices (turmeric, coriander powder, salt). Cook for 5-10 minutes.
3. Combine: Add the cooked lentils to the tempering and stir well. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
4. Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with rice or chapati.

6. Easy to Make Roti Bread (Chapati)

Chapati, also known as roti, is a simple flatbread that forms the foundation of many Indian meals. Made from just flour, water, and salt, it’s a quick and easy bread to make at home, with no yeast or rising time required.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Water (as needed)
• Ghee or butter (optional)

Method:

1. Make the dough: In a bowl, mix the flour and salt. Gradually add water and knead to form a smooth dough. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.
2. Roll the dough: Divide the dough into small balls and roll them out into thin circles.
3. Cook the roti: Heat a tawa or skillet. Cook each roti on medium-high heat, flipping it once the bubbles begin to form. Press lightly to ensure even cooking on both sides.
4. Serve: Serve the hot rotis with curries, dals, or any dish of your choice.

These six popular Indian recipes provide a perfect introduction to the diverse and delicious world of Indian cuisine. Whether you’re craving the smoky goodness of tandoori chicken, the comforting warmth of chicken curry, or the aromatic richness of biryani, these dishes will bring the magic of Indian food straight to your table. With simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques, you’ll be able to enjoy a range of flavours that will leave your taste buds wanting more. Happy cooking!