Gastronomy: The Journey of Perfect Indian Meals

What is the image you have of perfect Indian food? May be a colorful platter, spellbound aroma, and flavors to live for! Well, that’s true, Indian meals are full of different flavors, colors and have a magic of unique Indian spices like cardamom, turmeric, saffron, cumin, cinnamon, and coriander. They are vastly diverse but truly represent the flavor of India. 

You can relish the distinctive meals of Indian cuisine under one roof at Sula Indian Restaurant in Vancouver. 

Let us take you through our delectable food menu and its history-

1. Shahi Paneer

Originating from the Mughlai cuisine, Shahi Paneer is a creamy delicacy prepared by emulsifying tomatoes, onions, ground, cashews, and cottage cheese in clarified butter. Widely served in North India, this dish dates back to the history of the time when the Mughals ruled India for 300 years. Shahi Paneer is mainly served with traditional Indian flatbread, rice, or naan.

2. Butter chicken

Butter Chicken is a mouth-watering chicken, cooked in a creamy sauce. The boneless chicken is first broiled in tandoor and tossed in fresh tomatoes, garlic, onion, and Indian spices.

Butter chicken originated in Delhi, the capital of India back in 1947 at Moti Mahal restaurant. The interesting fact is that it was invented by chance. The chef happened to mix chicken in tomato gravy that was rich in butter and cream. Later in 1974, the recipe of the dish was published as Murgh Makhani.

   At Sula vegetarian Indian restaurant Vancouver, you can savor the original Punjabi taste of Butter Chicken.

3. Biryani (Veg, chicken, lamb, and beef)

A world-renowned Biryani originates from Indian history. It is made of long-grained basmati rice assorted with exotic Indian condiments such as saffron and cardamom, herbs, and vegetables. Biryani has multiple veg and non-veg variants, so it is layered with chicken, lamb, fish or simply vegetables.

4. Prawn Goan Curry

Prawn curry is delectable seafood made out of shrimps using a variety of spices, coconut milk, and kokum. It has a tangier & spicier taste and is a staple from Goa. This dish was introduced to India by Indo-Portuguese.  

Prawn has amazing nutritional benefits. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which is good for the heart. Moreover, it is rich in B12 and boosts immunity to fight diseases.

5. Dal Makhani

Dal Makhani is also known as Maa ki Dal is a staple Indian lentil, popularized in the Northern region of India post-partition. This Punjabi dish is made by using urad dal, rajma and is cooked in clarified butter. It is aromatic and infused with Indian flavors.

Simple black urad dal was transformed in Dal Makhani by Kundan Lal Gujral, the founder of the Moti Mahal chain. The idea became an innovation when he invented the famous Makhani gravy to be able to serve fresh chicken tikka readily when customers arrived. Since refrigerators were not much in use at that time and so as to prevent the chicken from drying out, he would simmer tikkas in tomato-butter gravy, thereby giving birth to butter chicken and Dal Makhani.

6. Samosas

Samosas are fried or baked pastry filled with a delicious filling of potatoes, onion, peas -mixed with herbs or filled with chicken, meat. This stuffed triangle with different names garnered immense popularity across the world.

The shocking fact about this food is, it was never Indian. This neatly folded savory goodness has traveled from Central Asia to South Asia. In India, it was introduced by Middle Eastern chefs during Delhi Sultanate rule.

7. Kebabs

Kebabs are soft and succulent cylindrical patties, made of chicken, meat, beef, or lamb. Usually, they are charcoal grilled on a skewer. Originated in a Turkish Kitchen, brought to India by Afghans, Kebabs are the most versatile dish ever. This dish came to India as a modest preparation of cooked meat and lightly seasoned in the 14th century, but soon after arriving it imbibed the culture and flavors of India.

Today kebabs are widely relished as starters, with Rumali roti and flat-breads.

8. Gobi Aloo

Aloo Gobi is simple yet delicious, a popular Indian dish made out of cauliflowers and potatoes. The minced cauliflower when infused with potatoes, onions, ginger, garlic & coriander gets an enhanced aroma and taste. Gobi aloo can be made dry and semi-dry or in curry version. Along with India, the dish is popular in Pakistan and Nepal.

You can enjoy the gluten and dairy-free Aloo Gobi at our Authentic Indian food restaurant.

9. Lamb Rogan Josh

Rogan Josh Is a type of Indian curry distinguished by its flavorful red sauciness, thickness, and soft meat. Boneless lamb slows cooked with yogurt and traditional Indian spices is a prominent authentic Kashmiri cuisine. It is made with spices like fennel seeds and dry ginger.

Rogan Josh was introduced to Kashmir by Mughals whose cuisine was inspired by Persian cuisine. The dish is widely served with basmati rice or naan bread.

10. Indian flatbread

A simple yet delicious, India flatbread bread is served with Indian curry. Chapati, phulka, roti are some of the other names of flatbreads. The dish broadly belonged to Northern India and is made of wheat flour & all-purpose flour/maida. Initial footprints of this dish were found in the state of erstwhile Awadh, where wheat was consumed well.

11. Gulab Jamun

Festivals or celebrations never conclude without a treat of Gulab Jamun among Indians. These sinful warm small fried rounds are India’s one prominent desserts.

The history uncovers some interesting facts about the origins of these fluffy sweet balls. Gulab Jamuns were accidentally invented by Shah Jahan’s royal chef who was inspired by Persian/Turkish cultures and local sweet makers. Another theory about Gulab Jamuns traces the origin to the popular Arabic dessert Luqmat al qadi, which is made of deep-fried dough balls and sprinkled with honey and sugar.

You can gobble this super Indian and luscious dessert at your Sula Indian Restaurant in Vancouver.

To Sum up!

The Indian cuisine offers the delicious treat of complete flavors which also defines the love & culture of Indian states. If you wish to satiate the hunger for Authentic Indian Food, drop by Sula Indian restaurant. All the above-mentioned dishes and much more is cooked with love and magic here. 

Visit us, we would love to host you!

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