Category: Blog

Food has always been an integral part of celebrations around India and we are one of the few countries that can boast of people from various backgrounds coming together. There are mouthwatering dishes that are served during functions and ceremonies like weddings. If watched closely, there are certain reasons for which food takes a stand-in ceremonies. Some of the reasons are from Vedic Shastras which may not necessarily be a part of the traditions but are highly scientific and beneficial.

The staple diet of a region comes from the produce that is readily available to them. For example, coconut oil for cooking is a popular choice in Kerala because it is easily available in the area and is loved by everyone.

Indian weddings see some of the most delightful food ever and it is a celebration like no other that inspires such grandeur. Food is also a way of blessing the newly married couple. The elders of the family feed the couple sweets while wishing them the best.

 

But it’s not just weddings that inspire tasty delights. The baby shower ceremony in India is done when the expecting mother is in her final trimester, the seventh month, to be exact. This is also called the rice ceremony and holds a great scientific significance as this tradition denotes the time when the baby’s stomach is developed enough to digest food. This is great for time to provide the developing baby with all the necessary nutrition.

 

Every family has its own special definition of a feast. Whether it’s a Sunday special rajma chawal or something more festive like Chole Bhature on birthdays! We don’t need a reason to celebrate but when we do, our food is a testimony to our love for those around us.

 

And we all know that India is a colourful country with lots of festivals. But, did you know, every festival has specific dishes associated with it. The Lohri in Punjab is celebrated with warm foods like roasted peanuts and jaggery sweets because it is a winter festival and the food provides heat to the body.
Similarly, during Holi, thandai is popular as it cools the body.

Food brings the country together has made Indian ceremonies and events all the more special. Tell us how food has played an important role in your celebrations.

Winter is a great time to enjoy cozy woolens and the chill in the air. Just like fashion trends come and go, it’s the same for food, especially during winter. There are foods that carry the essence of winter winds and fuel the body and are filled with benefits. Some of the most popular dishes are mentioned below.

 

Makkai ki Roti

It is a delicacy in Punjab and people devour this during the winter because of the high-calorie content, which keeps the body warm. They are made of maize which grows during winter and that is why it is a famous winter dish. There are several dishes that are served along with these rotis.

 

Sarson Ka Saag

This dish is actually one of the accompaniment to Makkai ki Roti and is made of mustard. Spinach is added to the dish when it is cooked, which gives the dish a delightful taste and the rich green color. Since both the ingredients are freshly available in winter, they are a winter specialty.

 

Haldi Ki Sabzi

This actually refers to a curry made of turmeric which is a great accompaniment for the makkai ki roti and helps in keeping the body warm and also provides energy during the winter. Turmeric or Haldi already has some chemicals properties that are best suited for winter, for which this dish is loved by everyone.

 

Dal Bati Churma

The dish is made with Dal or lentils and also bread rolls prepared out of hard wheat flour. The dal can be made out of moong dal, Toor dal or urad dal. Various other spices are added to the dal which give it an ecstatic taste. It is also healthy because of the whole wheat flour, an essential component filled with carbohydrates, which can generate higher energy with protein-packed dal making it a wonderful dish for the winter.

Gaund Ke Laddu

Gaund Ke Laddu is a food that is made with edible gums. These edible gums are great for the body because they provide the much-needed heat and energy to the body. It is also said to strengthen bones. That is the reason why this sweet dish is mostly prepared in different places during winter. It is a delicacy from Rajasthan.

Gajar Ka Halwa

Gajar ka Halwa is a dish loved by everyone all across the country and is one of the most common Indian desserts. It is consumed during the winter as it is rich in vitamins and fibers, which can help a person fight the cold temperature of winter. Carrot is a great food for all times, but during the winter this vegetable gets an exquisite taste, especially when made into the much loved Halwa.

Bajra Kheej

Bajra Kheej is another dessert that is prepared with wheat, milk, sugar etc. It is made by condensing milk and is rich in calcium which helps in preparation of the dishes, making it a great dish for winter. The calcium present in the dish helps muscle function and bone structures, which are essential during winter. All the dishes mentioned above are unique in taste and are popular during the winter due to their energy producing properties and essential nutrients prepared in this aspect. This makes these foods perfect for the chilly winter months.

Have you ever wondered how the food traditions of our vast country have become a symbol of the varied cultures? The traditions that people in India follow, when it comes to food shows the actual culture of that region. There are some common traditions around different parts of India,

some of which are actually good for health while others are related to customs of the people of that place. Read on to understand the reasons that make food a symbol of the Indian culture.

1. Eating food on a banana leaf is one of the traditions followed mainly by the people in the south of India. It is a part of their daily routine and is actually considered healthy to eat a meal on a
freshly cut and washed banana leaf.

2. Different dishes depict different communities around India, like biriyani, dosa, noodles, rajma, paratha, chingri, malaikari etc. These are certain things that are an integral part of their respective communities, but also unite them because people from every region enjoy them.

 

3. The habit of eating food with hand is a culture followed across the country. According to the ancient Vedas, our fingers represent the 5 elements and eating with our fingers stimulates these five elements and helps in bringing forth digestive juices in the stomach. The nerve endings in our fingertips are also known to stimulate digestion and feeling your food is, in a way a signal to your stomach that you are about to eat, which in turn enhances your taste buds and makes you more conscious of the tastes, textures, and aromas.

 

4. There are special thalis that depict different regions, like the South and North Indian thalis, served at restaurants and are completely different from each other. It shows how the tastes of the people in the regions differ. The spices used in the south Indian food have a cooling impact on the body while body warming flavors and spices are used in north Indian food.

5. Sweets form a major part of each meal and are representative of a long lasting Indian custom. Sweets are served in the beginning, during and end of every meal depending on the customs and practices of the particular region and varies with each dish.

 

6. The other thing eaten before ending a meal in different places across India is having meethapaan, which acts as a mouth freshener. Having a paan after a meal also improves digestion and is also beneficial for oral health.

The dishes that Indians eat are bound by several reasons which make them depict the actual symbol of the culture of their place. This unites the country through food!

Festivals bring people together and a major festival like Diwali brings families together all across the country. What is the one other thing that brings people together on festivals? Food!
In every part of the country, there are specific dishes that are cooked to celebrate the festival of lights. Mithai and dry fruits aside the feasts of Diwali are sumptuous and would make everyone’s mouth water! Let’s see what the speciality is in some parts of the country.

1. Kheel Batasha
Diwali without KheelBatashais not the same. The puffed rice and the crystalline sugar sweet is a staple in Delhi and is even offered during the prayer. Apart from the regular drop shaped batasha, there’s also the khilone which are animal shaped sugar confections.
 
2. Mawa Kachori
This is a Rajasthani delicacy which is the sweet version of a Kachori. The MawaKachoriis stuffed with Khoya and rich dry fruits and golden fried usually in pure ghee. The soft and smooth texture of the filling beautifully compliments the crunchy golden texture of the exterior to create this mouth-watering dessert.
 
3. Teepi Gavvalu
This is a delicacy that the people of Andhra Pradesh enjoy. It translates to ‘sweet shells’ and made by rolling a dough with jaggery into pretty curls that look like little shells and deep fried and dipped in a sweet sugary syrup.

 

 

4. Chiraunjiki Barfi
This is a sweet made with almond flavoured seeds that are normally used as a spice in Indian cooking. It originated in Madhya Pradesh and is enjoyed by the entire state during the festival of lights.
 
5. Anarsa
This is a dish that is prevalent in Maharashtra. These are rice flour and jaggery fritters studded with poppy seeds. Anarsa is a part of the Diwali Faralwhich is the breakfast that is consumed by the Maharashtrians.
 
6. Gujia
This is another Maharashtrian delicacy and the Diwali Faral would be absolutely incomplete without it. These crescent shaped, golden fried bites of heaven are simply delectable. They are stuffed with khoya and dry fruits to give it a rich flavour. Gujias are also popular in other parts of the country and are known as Kusli in Madhya Pradesh, ghughraor karanji in Gujarat and neuri in Goa.

 

 

7. Thenkuzhal
Diwali snacks are incomplete without some delicious crunchy savoury snacks. This is why the Thenkuzhal is so popular in Tamil Nadu. The deep snacks are a must in every household during the Diwali festival.
 
8. Pinni
The winters in the North part of the country can be tough but the winter sweet, Pinni is what makes it worth it. They’re like laddoos but made with whole wheat, lots of ghee and loaded with dry fruits and khoya. This sinfully delicious dessert is difficult to avoid, especially in Punjab.

 

 

9. Ukkarkai
Ukkarkai is a popular Chettinad dessert and is made with chana dal, jaggery and roasted nuts. It is crunchy and simply delicious and a must during the festivities of Diwali.
The country comes together on the occasion of this beautiful festival and the food brings us even closer.

Which of these delectable dishes will you try this festive season?

Diverse, steeped in tradition and greatly influenced by tradition, the traditional Indian cuisine has been around for many, many years. Gourmet Indian food is associated with the food cooked in the courts of the Indian royalty. The cooking techniques are elaborate and include the use of rich ingredients.

Over time, Indian food has been influenced by many phenomena the most prominent of which is religion. Over 80% Indians are followers of Hinduism which advocates respect for all life forms and has been the reason for the prevalence of vegetarianism in the country.
However, the roots of the vegetarian cuisine go much deeper. The earliest records of vegetarianism come from ancient India and the ancient Greek civilization. The ideology is associated with the idea of non-violence towards animals.

The Indian cuisine developed its basics from its Ayurvedic background. The concept of heating and cooling foods comes from this history which can be traced back to 4000 B.C. Even before that, the scientists believe that the early man foraged for berries and edible plants to sustain himself.

The earliest records are of the ancient Vedic period, where eating meat was allowed but a vegetarian diet was encouraged. The various groups and cultures that have interacted with the Indian population have led to the diversity of flavours.

Jainism and Buddhism further added to the notion of non-violence and support a vegetarian way of life. The Jain ideologies were and still are particularly strict.

The earliest Indian diets included pulses, vegetables, fruits, dairy products and grains. It is safe to say that it was an all vegetarian diet.

Vegetarianism has been a part of the Indian culture for generations. It was only with the Mughals that meat became a part of the staple Indian diet. All the rulers before that, the Mauryas, Guptas, etc. were staunch vegetarians.

Once the Mughals took over they introduced the Persian and Arabic styles of cooking. After that the British took over the food habits of the Indians were greatly influenced.

The most interesting part of the Indian cuisine is that it has evolved to suit the Indian climate. For example, in the northern part of the country, garam masalais predominantly used because the weather is colder compared to other parts of the country and the spices in the masala give heat to the body. Similarly, in the southern part of the country, cooling
spices are used in the food.

The Indian cuisine is still evolving, as a result of constant interactions with other societies and cultures and we are curious to see what the next chapter brings with it.

The days where vegetarians were served leaves and salads are long gone. With the kind of variety available in the market today, following a vegetarian diet is extremely easy, not to mention healthy. Especially in a country like India, where so many delightful vegetarian options are available on a daily basis. Many restaurants are pure vegetarian and have been rated as the top dining places.

Let’s look at some of the reasons to go vegetarian.

1. The most common of all… A vegetarian diet reduces the risk of heart diseases and cholesterol because ditching meat automatically reduces the amount of saturated fats in your diet. This improves the overall condition of your heart.

2. An American Diabetes Association study states that vegetarians have a lower risk of being diagnosed with diabetes as vegetarian food keeps the blood pressure and blood sugar levels in check.

3. Even though studies have proved that a vegetarian diet helps reduce weight, we don’t need the proof. It is common knowledge that eating a healthy portion of veggies increases energy and improves metabolism which assists us in reducing that waistline. And let’s face it, we could all use some of that!

4. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are loaded with anti-oxidants that delay wrinkles, spots and other signs of aging.

5. Many people justify that meat has more protein and provides vital nutrients that vegetables lack. This is a lie. Vegetables, fruits and grains provide more than enough nutrition to support a healthy lifestyle, not to mention it is a kinder way to gain nutrition and stops cruelty towards animals.

6. A recent UN report states that eating meat is one of the biggest cause of
environmental distress. It causes 40% more green-house gas emission than cars, trucks, ships and planes combined!

7. There is evidence that vegetarians have a lower rate of being diagnosed with cancer. Fruits and vegetables are strongly associated with avoiding certain types of cancers.

8. Flesh food can carry contaminants that an imbalance your metabolic system and cause harmful side effects. Not to mention the bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause diseases.

9. Vegetarian food is any day more economical. Not only when ordering at a restaurant but also because it is a healthier option and you won’t have to visit the doctor often. Vegetarian food is also easier to digest so you can save on those hard-core gyms.

10. The variety available in vegetarian food is unbelievable! There are so many options that getting bored is not even an option. With all the Indian spices enriching the flavour even more, it is just too good to miss out on!

Veg food is taking the world by a storm, so much so that people in staunch non-vegetarian countries like the USA are choosing a vegetarian option over meat.

Tell us what your favorite thing is about a Vegetarian Meal.