India is a diverse country and this diversity can be seen in food as well. For it is diverse in variety and taste and made up from a wide array of regional cuisines throughout various parts of India. Indian cuisine dates back over 5000 years. Each region has its own traditions, religions and culture that influence its food. These foods are highly aromatic and very tasty. Here is a look at such 10 dishes of Indian cuisine that are lesser known to the world.
1.BENAMI KHEER
‘Benami Kheer’ means ‘Without a name’as chef who made it didn’t want to reveal the secret ingredient.
During the Mughal period, Benami Kheer was much loved by Royal Families.
Although, it’s core ingredient is kept secret, for those who don’t know much about this dish, this is made of Garlic or Lehsun.
2.AWAN BANGWI
It’s a traditional rice cake from Tripura and is made of GURIA RICE(also known as STICKY RICE),CASHEWS,RAISINS AND GHEE.
This rice mixture is steamed in a special type of leave known as LAIRU and you can use BANANA LEAVES.
3.SIDDU/SIDU
This is one of the popular dishes of Himachal Pradesh and is a type of toasted bread is made of WHEAT FLOUR stuffed with WALNUTS,PEANUTS,GREEN PEAS and PANEER,served usually with DAAL and CORIANDER CHUTNEY.
4.GOJJU AVALAKKI
It’s a popular breakfast dish from Karnataka and is made of POWDERED POHA,JAGGERY,PULSES and GROUNDNUTS.
It has sweet, spicy and tangy flavour in it.
5.PADDU
It is one of the popular breakfast options available in Southern India and also known as GULIAPPA or PANIYARAM.
This dish is made of LEFTOVER DOSA/IDLI BATTER with some ONION,GREEN CHILIES and CORIANDER LEAVES.
6.PYAZ KA HALWA
This dessert is made of GRATED WHITE ONIONS fried in GHEE and then cooked in MILK’s with some SUGAR and CASHEWS.
7.GUNDU NU SHAAK
It is a delicious dish made with GUNDA BERRY,RED CHILLIES,RAW MANGOES,GRAM FLOUR,OIL and SPICES in Gujarat.
8.CHAPDA/CHAPRAH
It’s of Chhattishgarh and non-vegetarian chutney.
This spicy chutney is made of RED ANTS and THEIR EGGS,which are crushed using MORTAR and PESTLE. This paste is then combined with TOMATOES,GINGER-GARLIC PASTE, CORIANDER,RED CHILLIES,SALT and A BIT OF SUGAR.
9.MANDIGE/MANDE
It is prepared on special occasions and festivals and is made of WHEAT FLOUR,POWDERED SUGAR,GRATED COCONUT and CARDAMOM POWDER.
10.ACHAPPAM
This dish(ROSE COOKIES) is a traditional snack from Tamilnadu, eaten on Christmas and special occasins.
These cookies are made of RICE FLOUR,EGGS,COCONUT MILK,SESAME SEEDS,SUGAR,SALT and are fried to perfection.
The unpopularity has to do with a certain lack of appreciation for the skill required to make Indian foods. The cuisine is among the most labor intensive in the world. Many people love and appreciate Indian foods because they are healthy. Culture is influenced by food through various ways such as tradition, religion and family. Environmental and geographic diversity in different agricultural products are cultivated in different regions.
