This article provides a step-by-step guide to making three classic Indian dishes at home: roti, chicken curry, and samosas. For roti, a simple dough is made with flour, salt, and warm water, then divided into portions and cooked on a skillet. Chicken curry is made with chicken breast, onion, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices, then simmered with chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and peas. Samosas are triangular pockets of pastry filled with potato, peas, and spices, then deep-fried until crispy. While Indian cuisine may seem intimidating, these dishes are a great introduction to its flavors and techniques.
From Roti to Curry: The Top Indian Dishes to Try at Home
Indian cuisine is one of the most diverse, flavorful, and beloved cuisines across the globe.
If you’re looking for new dishes to try and want to expand your culinary skills, then you’re at the right place. In this article, we’ll explore the top Indian dishes that you can recreate in your own kitchen. From roti to curry, we’ve got you covered.
Step-by-Step Guide for Roti
Roti is a popular Indian bread that is easy to make at home. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ¾ cup of warm water
Instructions:
- Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
- Add warm water, a small amount at a time, and mix until the dough starts to form.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-10 minutes.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and flatten them with a rolling pin to create circles.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the roti. Cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbles form, then flip and cook for another minute.
- Repeat until all the roti are cooked. Serve hot with your favorite curry.
Step-by-Step Guide for Chicken Curry
Chicken curry is a staple in Indian cuisine. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onions and cook until they are softened (3-5 minutes).
- Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add chicken, curry powder, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes into the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add frozen peas and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot with freshly made roti or basmati rice.
Step-by-Step Guide for Samosas
Samosas are delicious, triangles of savory filling wrapped in crispy pastry. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup water
- 1 large potato, peeled and cubed
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Mix flour, salt and vegetable oil together in a bowl, until it resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add water slowly and mix until the dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-10 minutes.
- Cover the dough and let it stand for 30 minutes.
- Boil the potatoes and peas for 10 minutes until they are tender. Drain, and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion, garlic, and ginger and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the cooked potatoes and peas to the skillet along with the coriander, cumin, and garam masala. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and cook for 3-5 minutes.
- Roll the dough into small circles and cut them in half.
- Fill each half with 1-2 tablespoons of the potato and pea filling, and seal the edges with water.
- Deep fry samosas in hot oil until golden brown. Serve hot with chutney or dip of your choice.
Conclusion
Indian cuisine is vast and varied, but these three dishes are a great place to start exploring at home. So, don’t be intimidated to take on new flavors, ingredients, and techniques. We encourage you to try these dishes and let us know how they come out.
Happy cooking!