Indian food is one of my favorite cuisines, but it can also be intimidating to make at home. Don’t get me wrong—Indian restaurants are great! But if you’re looking for fresh, homemade dishes that will impress your friends and family, try making these popular Indian recipes at home:
Paneer tikka masala
Paneer tikka masala recipes are a favorite among people new to Indian food. They’re easy to make, and the ingredients are easy to find at any local grocery store or Indian market. The dish consists of chunks of paneer (Indian cheese) marinated in yogurt and spices and then broiled until they turn golden brown. Then they’re placed into a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger root, and other spices like garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, etc.
Chicken tikka masala
Chicken tikka masala is one of the most popular Indian dishes in the United States, and it’s easy to see why. Tender pieces of marinated chicken are served in a rich and creamy tomato-based sauce that packs a ton of flavor.
To make this recipe at home, you’ll need the following:
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- ½ cup plain yogurt (1% or whole milk)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice (or vinegar)
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided * 2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided * ½ teaspoon ground ginger * 1 teaspoon paprika * ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper * 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
Chana masala
Chana masala is an Indian dish that’s made with chickpeas and spices. It’s served over rice or naan, and it’s a popular street food in India. You can find chicken tikka masala, another popular Indian dish, at most restaurants. But if you’re looking for something a little different—and something that doesn’t include meat—chana masala is the perfect option!
Dal makhani
Dal Makhani is a popular north Indian dish. It means “butter lentils,” and it’s most often served over basmati rice or with naan bread. It’s made with black urad dal and white lentils that have been skinned and split, then cooked in pureed tomatoes, butter or ghee (clarified butter), cream and spices. You can use canned garbanzo beans instead of black urad dal if you want an easier version of this recipe to make at home.
Chole bhature
Chole bhature is a popular dish in northern India made with chickpeas and fried, leavened bread called naan. The name comes from the Hindi word chole, meaning chickpea curry, and bhatura (or “bhatura”), which refers to fried bread made from yeast dough.
You can make Indian food at home or order online
Indian cooking is often seen as a complicated, time-consuming endeavor. But if you have the right tools and know what to do with them, it’s not that hard! Once you get the hang of it, Indian cuisine will become one of your favorite meals. If you want to avoid the mess but still have good Indian food, search for the best Indian food near me online, and you’ll get a list of options. You can trust reviews and ratings for restaurants on Chef Online to pick the best one.
Hopefully, you enjoyed this post and learned some new recipes to try out in your kitchen.