The North-South combo!

I am a ‘mixed breed’ as my friends call me. That’s because I have a Punjabi mom and a Malayali dad. I am the by-product of cultural diversity in India and I have experienced a lot of such ‘diverse’ things right form my childhood. I have been brought up in Delhi, so I must say that I have its influence slightly more than the southern corner of our country. But apart from that I have always encountered the best of both!

For instance, language has been one of significant things of my life. I know Punjabi from my mom’s family and Delhi has always been my teacher when it came to the accent of authentic Punjabi language. Also, I acquired the knowledge of Malayalam from my grandparents who lived with us and dad who wanted me to be fluent in his mother tongue as well!

So I used to be a wonder kid back in school who knew Hindi, Punjabi, Malayalam and English! Even I never realized how I picked up so many dialects, accents and dictions!

The next inevitable point that I must mention is food. Breakfasts were never boring as I would either get aloo paratha or dosa and the likes. Although I have been exposed to North Indian food in Delhi more, I am equally attached to South Indian cuisine.

We have explored the best restaurants in Delhi serving both North and South Indian cuisine! I am at times surprised at my undivided love for both idli and chole kulche at the same time!

Festivals were the best part of my upbringing into a culturally ‘mismatched’ family like this. Pongal used to be so much fun! And Diwali was just as grand!

The best thing is I never realized while I was growing up that I was imbibing two different cultures together which otherwise the society considers ‘impossible’. Everyone creates ‘norms’ but few realize that there is an inexplicable peace (and joy) beyond that.

LET’S GO ON A TASTY TOUR

India is an epitome of diversity. Be it culture, tradition, clothing or food- versatility is what makes India a fascinating place to live in. India has a variety of food to offer and each food item assures you a distinguished experience. North Indian food, for example, is distinguished by the high proportionate use of milk and dairy products such as ghee, cheese and butter. Other specific feature of north Indian food is a use of lot of spices. We love spices and even if we would have our tongue burning out of spice, we would continue to lick our fingers dipped in delicious curry! The most common spices used in north indian food are black pepper, red chili, garlic, ginger and garam masala. (We cannot do without garam masala!) Some of the most common north indian food Delhi are mutter panner, tawa naan, chicken curry and chhole- chawal. The mere mention of these delicious dishes makes our mouths water. Imagine the pleasure of these dishes being physically present before you! Well if the mention of it gives a mouth-watering experience to you too and you suddenly find yourself craving for the deliciousness, then you must visit a north Indian restaurant that serves finger licking north Indian cuisine, vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian.

There are a number of north indian restaurants in saket, cannaught place, karolbagh and other famous hangout locations of Delhi. When it comes to serving north indian desserts, the menus of some restaurants for desserts are even longer than the main course! Gulab Jamun, Gaajar ka Halwa and Jalebi are hot favorites of the people of Delhi. Some of the other common sweet dishes that a number of north indian restaurants offer are kheer, ras malai and kulfi.

Back To My Roots With North Indian Food

Today, amidst the Mexican spaghettis and the Italian pizzas, amidst the complicated sounding salads and equally disturbing looking dishes, we youngsters find our food paradise! While some swear by Sushi, others die for Lasagna! and me? I just crave Indian cuisine, especially north indian food. I know a lot are surprised with this statement of mine, because in a metropolitan where you have practically all the exquisite dishes of the world at your disposal, I still crave the traditional naan and butter chicken, like seriously?? You go OUT to eat north indian food in Delhi?That’s crazy my friends tell me! But, I couldn’t care less. For me, North Indian Cuisine is pure bliss. It’s a blessing; it’s Food porn for me.

The juicy chicken dipped in rich smooth gravy and the hot buttery naan, just makes my mouth water every time I even think of it! Friends ask me what’s new in it, it is the same old thing prepared at home during family parties, but I completely disagree, to anyone out there who feels it’s boring, you have probably never had a bite of the food offered at Dhaba by Claridges!

As the name suggest this food paradise actually envisions a ‘dhaba’ like rustic setting to make you feel connected to your rural background while you enjoy their sumptuous meals. The place boasts of vibrantly coloured walls and posters of trucks and lorries (as we would call them in the typical ‘desi’ style) giving it a more village theme. But do not be misguided about the quality of food served here. This is Claridges, so food has to be heavenly, and it surely is! It serves you pure traditional north Indian Food in a sophisticated way, yes, though they use traditional utensils for serving, standards and hygiene wise they make it top notch. They are one of the reasons I fell in love with north Indian Cuisine. You should definitely try some really soon. With them offering food delivery in Saket and other places in Delhi, it is the best opportunity to experience the magic of the best north indian food at home!

Indian Food and Its Relative Calorie Coun

India which is the second most populous country of the world enjoys a rich mixture customs and individuals. This exuberance through diverse regional races is then reflected in the clothing habits, food habits and various religious beliefs. As one moves from the northern region to the southern parts and vice versa there is a complete shift of tastes and culinary respites. It is in fact amazing that a north Indian food in Delhi may taste uniquely different when cooked in some other region. The popular food which we enjoy has also a historical heritage attached to it. One can clearly distinguish the impact of ancient civilization as has been invaded by the British, Mughals and others, mirrored in the domestic food and as is served in the best restaurants in Delhi or any other region.

However with the world increasingly becoming aware of the importance of healthy food, it has become all the more necessary to understand how a particular food affects your body. To aid this consciousness here are some most popular regional food items and their respective calorie count:

-Roti

It is a traditional Indian bread and is pretty thin. A 6-inch roti offers a number of 85 kilocalories. With thin crust it becomes a parantha, which can then be stuffed with potatoes, spinach or onion as per the taste. This version of Indian bread then offers a surplus of 180 kilocalories.

-Rajma

The staple platter for north Indian food in Delhi and other northern regions is well served with rice. A melange of spices, tomato puree and onion, it contains good quality of proteins. Being excellent for health, it also works well for muscle-building. Generally 150 grams of rajma add to 153 kilocalories.

-Rasam

Most popular in the southern region of the country, it is a household dish. Low in calories it is ideal for those struggling to manage the weight. 150 grams of it, only contribute towards 30 kilocalories.

-Fish

Since the southern region of the country is closer to the coastline, fish is one of the most cooked dishes in this region with several variations to suit the taste. 200 grams of fish curry contains 460 kilocalories.

Awesome flavors of Delhi

Hi, I am Prerna, Mumbai based resident. Recently, have got married and have shifted to Delhi.  Bing a resident of Mumbai, needless to confess, i am a bit biased about my place. No matter which corner of the nation I am in, i know, will end up always favoring my Mumbai. One, this place is special and subsequently, i have grown up here, which automatically makes this place beautiful to me.

No matter which place I’m or will be in, Mumbai will always hit my priority list. When I was in school, every single day, my mumma would give me ten rupee and I would religiously save that 10 rupee aside. Vada paw is my all-time favorite snack, which would cost a few bugs, and to be honest, i would somehow manage eating it from my friend’s pocket money. When I would collect good amount of around 80 or 100, some of the best restaurants were my one stop destination.

I confess being a big foodie, and just cannot live without spicy north indian food Delhi or Mumbai, be it anywhere I am in.

When i got married, I had no clue that would miss the spicy and homely flavors. I seriously craved for some ‘good’ food. For a few days, when i came to Delhi, felt as if would never get a simple vada paw here, forget the rest. But yes, I was wrong, for which I would accredited best restaurants in Delhi.

Though there’s a big time difference in the spice contents, and the preparation methodology, but who cares??? Something that remains almost the same is ‘taste’. The only thing that has to be taken into consideration is that you explore the fine eatery out of many. 

Overview of Flavors and Cuisines from North India

Geographical and Cultural Influence on the Food: North India is blessed with extreme climate conditions which is a summer is too hot and winter is too chilly. This weather offers an abundance of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. The richness owing to the geographical location with relation to the rest of the Sub-continent implies that the region has had a great influence of by Central Asia both in terms of culture and food. Mughlai and Kashmiri type of cooking form the most popular cuisine for the best restaurants in Delhi and across the globe.

Opulence of Food: North Indian curries are thick, creamy and spicy in texture. The use of dried fruits is common when preparing North Indian Food Delhi. Various dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cream, cottage cheese and ghee have a significant role when preparing this relishing palate. Also due to the availability of sumptuous variety of foods and vegetables an incredible kind of vegetarian dishes are cooked the entire year.

Staple Food: Unlike south Indians the North Indians prefer wheat bread over rice. North India is an abode to tandoori roti, naans and stuffed paranthas.  However you will also come across rice made into elaborate biryanis and pilafs in the region. This preference of wheat can be greatly observed in the menus of the best restaurants in Delhi.

Use of Cooking Oils: The oils which go into making these dishes include sunflower and canola. Mustard oil is used only in some regions of the state. Ghee goes into the preparation of special dishes and reserved for specific occasions.

Significant spices and Ingredients: Coriander, cumin, Dry red chilies, turmeric, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, garam masala and fennel are some of the dominant ingredients and spices which go into the making of the best north Indian cuisines.

Best-Known Dishes: Mutter Paneer, Biryani, Dal Makhni, Dahi Gosht, Chicken Tikka, Fish Amritsari, Samosa, Chaat and Motichor Ladoo are some of the popular palates from North India. 

Friends with-‘out’ Benefits

As you must have guessed, but I did not, at that time, I was greeted with a familiar face-- the same golgappe wala. Our reactions were nothing like old friends, wild and fancy. Both of us recognized each other, acknowledged it silently and respected the fact. The first words we exchanged were not of complains or queries, instead I handed over the drink. Bewildered by the gesture, he didn’t know what to say. After some insistence and resistance he finally gulped it down in a single go.

Now relieved, I asked him about this particularly not so lucrative business when he could make the world’s best North Indian food Delhi. An expression passed over his face. If it was despair, it did not last more than a millisecond. He said, “It is the only respectable job I could do without start-up money Sir”. Finding me confused, he went ahead with his story.

He used to own a small dhaba serving North Indian cuisine in Delhi. They had a happy and decent life. But then, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and he used up everything he had, still failing to save her. After that, he started again from scratch with two daughters left to be taken care of. The shed near my house was his second attempt at life, out of nothing.

I was shocked! He went through so much and I never found a freckle of despair on the man’s face. In fact delicious North Indian food Delhi wasn’t his only speciality. The simple grin was typical of him, and everybody felt attracted due to its utter sincerity. Honestly, I never met a man whose smile could be more convincing. His was so real that you would doubt your own happiness’s authenticity. And yet, he was struggling with his own inner turmoil. I mean look at us, if it’s a bad day at work, be it the pesky co-passenger in metro or the grocery store keeper; everyone has to face the brunt. Yet he was here, his story of misery only half told.

On the second chance, he had to sell up everything, to marry off the elder daughter. And with the younger one still left, he was trying to make whatever sense he could, out of life by selling magazines and dailies. Even amid all this, the unfailing smile never left his face.

I was dumbstruck by his simplicity and philosophy. Resolved to help him, I approached one of my friends, who holds a good position at a five star brand restaurant and referred him for a job. Honestly, this was not kindness and it did not mean anything to me. But, it was a life changer, for that man. And I learnt an incredible lesson out of nothing…

So, the next time when you face a difficulty, think of others who are bearing greater burdens. 

North Indian Restaurants serving Authentic cuisines

It is no surprise to find the gourmet scene of Delhi intriguing and inviting. Chefs of Delhi have learned the art of dishing up some of the best cuisines and if you happen to be in Delhi, on a leisure trip or on business, you will agree that Delhi is one of the ultimate North India food destinations for gastronomes.

From theby lanes of eateries in HauzKhas and Restaurants in Saket, to food joints at the heart of the city and to those placed at every nook and corner – the list goes on and there is no dearth of what welcomes you in terms of food choice. You are sure to appreciate the variety of creative gourmet delightsof North India - if you are a food aficionado, then Delhi is the right place for you. You would be fortunate to be at a place that does not appreciate food but celebrate it each day.In addition, what adds to the pleasing palates is the cooking style of North India, renowned worldwide and regarded as one of the refined.

The North Indian Food Delhi restaurants are highly regarded for their culinary art and out of the numerous cuisines to relish, a thriving native dish ofNorth India, which is an all-time-favorite of most population of the world, is the chicken tikka masala that has earned a special place in the kitchens of fine dine restaurants worldwide.

If you want to relish the best of North Indian food Delhi cuisines, then visit the old by lanes of Chandnichowk and you will be surprised with what the food outlets there can serve you. Straight from the imperial kitchens into that of restaurants in Saket, CP, Chandnichowk and so on, here are where you can relish cuisines that remain the signature dishes of Delhi. Biryanis, kebabs and the legendary chicken cooked in tandoor are specialties.

Keeping aside fine dine restaurants in Delhi, the casual food outlets are highly favored by locals and tourists as well. These outlets are simple, casual, and hygienic offering an authentic feasting experience.