Indian Cuisine

Presented by: group 4

Introduction to Indian Cuisine

Indian food encompasses a wide variety of regional cuisines native to India.

Given the range of diversity in soil type, climate and occupations, these cuisines vary significantly from each other and use locally

available spices, herbs, vegetables and fruits.

Indian food is also heavily influenced by religious and cultural choices and traditions.

Geography of India

Geography

India lies largely on the Indian Plate, the northern portion of the Indo-Australian Plate, whose continental crust forms the Indian subcontinent.

It is seventh largest country in the world.

$The Ganges is the longest river originating in India.

The Himalayan range is considered as the world's highest mountain range, with its tallest peak Mt. Everest on the Nepal–China border.

Climate

The climate of India resolves into climatic subtypes:

Desert in the west,

Alpine tundra and glaciers in the north,

Humid tropical regions supporting rain forests in the southwest,

Indian Ocean island territories that flank the Indian subcontinent.

The nation is largely subject to four seasons:

Winter (January and February),

Summer (March to May),

Monsoon (rainy) season (June to September),

Post-monsoon period (October to December).

Staple Food of India

Staple Foods of India Staple foods of Indian cuisine include:

Pearl millet (bajara)

Rice

Whole-wheat flour (atta)

Variety of lentils,

especially masoor (most often red lentils)

toor (pigeon pea)

urad (black gram)

moong (mung bean)

Some Pulses,

channa (chickpea),

Rajma or kidney beans, lobiya are very common, especially in the northern regions.

Channa and mung are also processed into flour (besan).

Pearl Millets

(Bajara)

Rice

Whole Wheat Flour (Atta)Masoor Kabuli

Channa

Cooking Methods

Bhuno (भू�नो�) - It is a combination of sautéing, stir frying and stewing.

Dum (दम) - literally means steam. It is a method of cooking food on very low flame, with the help of steam entrapped in a sealed containers.

Baghar (बघार) - his is basically a process by which the aroma and flavour of spices and herbs is imbided in the oil which, when mixed with the dish makes it delicious.

Balchao (Pickling) (बल्चाओ) - a Goan specialty, influenced by the Portuguese, where vegetables like eggplant or seafood like prawns are "pickled" in sugar, vinegar and

spices for a day or two before eating.

Zammin doz (ज़म�द�ज़) - this is a style of cooking in which a hole is dug in the ground and the ingredients are placed and covered with mud. Then burning

charcoal is placed over it. It is a time taking process and takes around 6 hours.

Dhuanaar (Smoke Seasoning) (धुँ��नोर) - This is a quick smoke procedure used to flavour a meat dish, dals or even raita or salad.

Tawa Cooking (तवा) - A tawa is a round, thick iron griddle, and is slightly concave in the center. It is used when very high temperatures are needed and is mostly used for Indian unleavened breads called chappati or rotis. It is also used for cooking

some unique dishes which require fast cooking with the outer rim is used to keep the dish warm.

Handi cooking - Handi means an earthen pot in which cooking of curries takes place on slow fire. Handi comes in different shapes and size but

main feature remains the same to all that is a thick bottom that ensures that food does not stick to the bottom. It is well known fact that the food

cooked on slow fire preserves the natural characteristics- aroma.

Talna (Frying) (तलनो) - It is the process of cooking food by immersing it in the dip pan of hot oil. It is also know as frying. It could be shallow fried

also.

Ubalna (Boiling) (उबलनो) - This is to cook ingredients in liquid with the liquid kept at boiling point 100 degree centigrade so that the surface of

the water bubbles and turns over continually.

Galavat (गल्वात) - It refers to the use of softening agents like raw papaya paste (papain), pineapple, kachari etc. to tenderize the meat.

Loab / Rogan (र�गनो) - It refers to the final stage of cooking when the oil used during cooking, rises to the surface, giving the dish a finished

appearance. This happens when slow cooking of gravy dishes is involved.

Gunana/Guthna (Kneading) (ग�थनो) - This is a process by which a flour or a mixture of flours and other ingredients are combined to form a dough.

Cooking Methods (Cont’d)

Fetna (Beating) (फें� टनो) - This is a process by which the consistency, appearance or colour of a mixture or a substance is modified by a

sharp stroking movement. The operation is carried out in many ways according to the nature of ingredients, utensils used and the purpose.

Baste - To moisten meat at intervals with a liquid as melted butter, fat, or pan drippings especially during cooking especially used in

grilling and roasting and other meat preparations where the meat is over heat for extended periods of time, basting can flavor the meat

and keep it moist. Meat needs to be basted several times during cooking.

Bind - This is to press moistened flour or other ingredients into a sticky ball using the fingers e.g. stuffing samosa etc.

Herbs and Spices

Star Anise

Indian name: Chakra Phool

Description: it is used as a spice in preparation of biryani and masala chai all over the Indian subcontinent. It is widely used in Chinese cuisine, and in Indian cuisine where it is a major component of garam masala, and in Malay and Indonesian cuisine. It is widely grown for commercial use in China, India, and most other countries in Asia

Poppy Seed

Indian name: Khus Khus

Description: white poppy seeds are added for thickness, texture and also give added flavor to the recipe. Commonly used in the preparation of korma, ground poppy seed, along with coconut and other spices, are combined as the masala to be added at the end of the cooking step. It is quite hard to grind them when raw, so they are normally dry fried, and then mixed with a little water to get the right paste consistency.

Indian Bay leaf

Indian Name: Tej Patta

Description: also known as tejpat, Malabar leaf, Indian bark, Indian cassia, or malabathrum is a tree within the Lauraceae family which is native to India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China. It can grow up to 20 m (66 ft) tall. It has aromatic leaves which are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is thought to have been one of the major sources of the medicinal plant leaves known in classic and medieval times as malabathrum (or malobathrum).

Charoli

Indian name: Chironji

Description: The charoli seed is lentil-sized, is slightly flattened and has an almond-like flavour. Though they can be eaten and used raw they are often toasted or roasted before use, as this intensifies the flavour.They are commonly used in sweets in India. However, they are also ground into powders for thickening savory sauces and flavoring batters, and stewed into rich, meaty kormas.

Curry tree or sweet neem leaf

Indian Name: Kadipatta (Currypatta)

Description: leaves are used in many dishes in India and neighbouring countries. Often used in curries, the leaves generally called by the name "curry leaves", though they are also translated as "sweet neem leaves" in most Indian languages.

The leaves are highly valued as seasoning in southern and west-coast Indian cooking, and Sri Lankan cooking, especially in curries, usually fried along with the chopped onion in the first stage of the preparation

They are also used to make thoran, vada, rasam and kadhi. In their fresh form, they have a short shelf life, and they don't keep well in the refrigerator. They are also available dried, though the aroma is largely inferior.

Cooking Utensils of India

Belan

Other name: Rolling pin, Belni, LATANA

Description: Belan is a long cylindrical attachment used to roll chapattis and parathas. Made of wood or plastic, it is referred to as the soul of 'chakla' – a dough-kneading plate, which is a flat platform either made of wood or marble.

Idhi

Other Names: Idli Thattu.

Description: It is a high quality stainless steel container which makes cooking idlis really easy. These idli cookers are available in 2 sizes. It is a must for cooking any South Indian dish. The idli cooker comes with a plain bottom or a copper bottom.

Tandoor

Other Names: Clay oven, Tandur, Taftoons.

Description: A tandoor is a cylindrical clay oven used in India and other parts of Southeast Asia in which food is cooked over charcoal or wood.

The word tandoor comes from the Hindi words tandūr and tannūr. Traditionally used for baking bread, it is also used for cooking tandoori chicken and bread varieties like tandoori roti and naan.

Tawas

Other Name: Griddle, Tawali, Dosa Kallu.

Description: Usually made of thick iron or aluminum, tawas are a slightly concave cooking appliance. Today tawas are used for cooking everything from chapattis, parathas, dosas, omlettes to pancakes.

Thali

Other Names: Plate, Thala, Thattu, Taat.

Description: thali is an individual serving plate with straight rims made of stainless steel, aluminum or brass. Thalis have remarkably progressed from banana leaf to metal since the ages of our ancestors. The vegetarian and non-vegetarian range of thalis served at Indian restaurants is inspired by this unique kitchen appliance. It can also be used as a lid to cover a vessel.

Regional Cuisine of India

Punjabi Cuisine

Punjab is a northern state of India and is very popular for its rich food . Punjabi

recipe is prepared in delicious gravy and punjabi parathas melted in butter/

ghee.

Punjabi dishes is simple, healthy and yet has its own fascination. The famous dishes like matar paneer, dal makhani, parathas, bature, lassi are popular all

over India.

Bengali Cuisine

Bengali cooking is famous for sweets made from cottage cheese. Sandesh, Rosogolla, chanar payesh are few of the very popular recipes. Mishti Doi (sweetened curd) and

Patali gur confectionery (date palm jaggery) are mouth watering.

Every district in Bengal has a special sweet recipe of its own . Langcha and Mihidana

Sitabhog of Bardhaman, Sharbhaja of Krishnanagar, Chanabora of Murshidabad

and so on. Luchi, Bengali Fish Curry, Cholar Dal and Aloo Posto to Gurer Payesh and

Chum Chum are any food lovers first choice.

Rajasthani Cuisine

The ancient princely state of Rajasthan gave rise to a royal cuisine. The Rajas who went on hunting expeditions ate the meat or the fowl that they brought back. Even today, Rajasthani princely

feasts flaunt meat cuisines that are incomparable. In contrast are the vegetarian Rajasthanis.

Their food cooked in pure ghee is famous for it's mouth- watering aroma. Rajasthan's tastiest curries

are based on the use of pulses or gram flour. Dry fruits, spices and yogurt are used in many

delicacies. Rajasthan can also boast of a vast array of savouries and sun-dried snacks. Be it dal baati

and churma or missi roti , one always ends up licking his fingers.

Goan Cuisine

Fish and rice are the staple Goan food and the main occupation is tourism – over a million people visit the beaches of Goa each year.

Goa combines old Portuguese architecture, and a distinct Portuguese flavour to the

lifestyle, with a history that abounds with Indian mythology. Christmas, New Year, the Mardi Gras-like carnival, the Holi (Shimgo)

parades, all add to the year round festivities.

Gujarati Cuisine

Gujarati cuisine has special place all over India. Gujarati cooking consists

of dal, bhaat( rice), vegetables, chapatis, kachumbar( mixed

vegetables salad), papad and curd.

Gujarati food is nourishing and balanced. Snacks like dhokla, khandvi, sweets like basundi are famous for its

taste.

Maharashtrian Cuisine

Maharashtrian or Marathi food consist large variety of vegetables, fish and coconuts. Maharashatrian food is rich in ginger, garlic and lots of spices. Tomatoes, brinjals and other vegetables stuffed with masala fillings and cooked in oil till soft are very popular in Maharashtra. Cooking is mainly done in groundnut oil but it is made sure that the oil is minimum. Bharwan Baingan, Kohlapuri Rassa, Puran Poli, Aamti, Bombay Chiwda are some of the popular recipes.

Andhra Pradesh Cuisine

Cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is a blend of Telugu cuisine along with

Hyderabadi cuisine (also known as Nizami cuisine. The food is rich in

spices, for which it is popular among south Indian cuisine. Rice is the

staple food of Andhra people. Starch is consumed with a variety of curries

and lentil soups or broths. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods

are both popular. Seafood is common in the coastal region of the

state.

Karnataka Cuisine

Varieties in the cuisine of Karnataka reflect influences from the three neighbouring South Indian states, as well as the states of Maharashtra and Goa to its North.

Typical dishes include bisi bele bath, jolada rotti, chapati, ragi rotti, akki rotti, saaru, huli, vangibath, khara bath, kesari bath, benne dose, ragi mudde, and uppittu. The Kodagu district is famous for spicy pork curries (pig curry) while coastal Karnataka specialises in seafood.

Keral Cuisine

Kerala cuisine blends indigenous dishes with foreign ones adapted to local tastes. Coconuts grow in abundance in Kerala, so grated coconut and coconut milk are commonly used for thickening and flavouring.

Kerala's long coastline and numerous rivers have led to a strong fishing industry in the region, making seafood a common part of the meal. Rice is grown in abundance; along with tapioca. It is the main starch ingredient used in Kerala's food.

Tamil Nadu Cuisine

Tamil food is characterised by its use of rice, legumes, and lentils, along with distinct aromas and flavours achieved by the blending of spices such as curry leaves, tamarind, coriander, ginger, garlic, chili pepper, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, cumin, nutmeg, coconut and rose water. A meal (called Saapadu)consists of rice with other typical Tamilian dishes on a banana leaf.

A typical Tamilian would eat in banana leaf as it gives different flavour and taste to the food. But it can also be served on a stainless steel tray - plate with a selection of different dishes in small bowls. Tamil food is characterised by tiffins, which is a light food taken for breakfast or dinner and meals which are usually taken during lunch.

The word "curry" is derived from the Tamil kari, meaning something similar to "sauce".

The EndPresented by: Group 4