Enjoying North Indian Cuisine in the UK

Since Indian food varies by regions within India, some Indian restaurants in Birmingham may specialize in meals that represent a certain region and one such example is an Indian restaurant that focuses on food from northern India. The regions that make up northern India include Jammu and Kasmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan. Here is a brief overview before going into more detail. Kasmir cuisine is heavily influenced by Afghanistan and Ubekistan cuisine and this type of cuisine utilizes mutton, turmeric and yogurt a lot in various dishes. If you visit an Indian restaurant in the UK that focuses on Kasmir cuisine, expect to see meals with thise ingredients.

Other Aspects of North Indian Cuisine

Dried fruits and nuts are a part of savory and sweet dishes in northern Indian cuisine and you will find plenty of vegetarian dishes on Indian restaurant menus in the UK that have an emphasis on north Indian   food. Tandoori chicken is a popular north Indian dish. Flat breads are essential in north Indian cuisine and mild-flavored curries with a touch of sweetness are often served at restaurants in the UK that offer northern Indian-influenced food. Lassi is a cold buttermilk drink that is popular in north Indian cuisine.

What You’ll Find At Punjab-Style Indian Restaurants in the UK

Punjab is part of northern India and if you visit a restaurant in the UK that focuses on Punjabi cuisine, here is what you will find on the menu. Masalas are thick stews that have a tomato base and are served with vegetables and indian spices as well as ghee, which is clarified butter. You will not find plenty of rice dishes on Pujabi restaurant menus since they consume mostly wheat products. Roti is a bread that is also common in Punjabi cuisine as in other regions of India.

Dal

Dal is the Indian word for lentils and there are several ways lentils are cooked and served at North Indian-based restaurants in the UK. For example, some of the restaurants would serve curries with lentils and vegetables while other restaurants may serve stews or dips with lentils as the base with roti to go on the side.

Dairy Products A Staple in Northern Indian Cuisine

Paneer cheese resembles curd or cottage cheese and it is popular in northern Indian cuisine. Paneer cheese is often served with vegetable dishes and salads at UK-based restaurants and you will also find yogurt as a prominent staple in northern Indian cuisine at UK Indian restaurants.

Conclusion

North Indian cuisine is rich and delicious and if you are not sure which is the best indian restaurant in Birmingham then try Itihaas. If you have never tried certain dishes at the restaurant, ask the waitress what is in those dishes and if she would recommend them.

Indian Vegetarian Meals

There is good news for vegetarians who are getting bored with their regular vegetarian meals such as spinach salad, vegetable soup, potatoes with vegetables and fried eggplant with tomato sauce. It is time to explore Indian vegetarian food because it is delicious and healthy as well as filling. Here is how you can make a vegetable and lentil curry.

Heat a few teaspoons of oil or butter in a skillet for five minutes then add your favorite vegetables and seasonings such as carrots, tomatoes, green beans, onions, crushed garlic, spinach and yellow squash. Then add a few teaspoons of curry powder, black pepper, cardamom, turmeric, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Saute the vegetables in the spices for ten minutes and then add a half cup of coconut milk or yogurt along with a third cup of vegetable broth and a can of lentils. Simmer over medium heat for thirty minutes and serve with roti or pita bread.

Biryani

This is a popular Indian vegetarian stew that is made with potatoes, carrots and tomatoes and simmered in coconut milk, turmeric, curry powder and cardamom. This dish is served with rice and it is found on most Indian restaurant menus across the UK. You would prepare this meal the same way you would a curry.

Palak Paneer

This dish is made with spinach, onions, paneer cheese, milk and a variety of spices such as turmeric, cinnamon, ground ginger and black pepper. Some people add tomatoes to the dish and you can serve this dish over potatoes or rice.

Carrot Chutney

This is a great Indian vegetarian dish and you can serve this with breads and crackers at your next party. To make the chutney, you should start by peeling and grating four to eight carrots and then placing them in a pot filled with a cup of water. Let the carrots cook for thirty to forty minutes and then add three teaspoons of ginger, two teaspoons of mango powder, four teaspoons of cardamom, and a few teaspoons of lemon juice. Let cook for twenty minutes more over medium-low heat then serve.

Lentil Burgers

Some Indian restaurants sell lentil burgers and since lentils are high in fiber, this is great for vegetarians who want a way to boost energy and suppress their appetites. The ingredients for these burgers are two cups of toasted bread cubes, two cups of cooked lentils, a half cup of fresh spinach, a third cup of heavy cream, and two teaspoons of oil. Shape the lentil mixture in patties and place them on bread or eat the patties with the carrot chutney.

Conclusion

Indian vegetarian cuisine is an exciting way for vegetarians to experiment with various vegetarian recipes and create healthier food options for the carnivores in their families. These meals are simple to make and they can be prepared ahead of time if you are entertaining guests during a certain time of the day. If you need additional Indian vegetarian meal ideas, read a few good books on the topic.

Health Benefits of Indian Food

Whether you are eating at an Indian restaurant or preparing Indian food at home, there are several health benefits of this cuisine that some medical researchers are just starting to recognize. As with any healthy food, the key is in eating this cuisine in moderation as it relates to portion control and you want to prepare this cuisine in the healthiest way possible in order to maximize your health benefits.

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Tomatoes

Tomatoes can be found in curries and other kinds of Indian dishes and this is good because tomatoes have great health benefits. Tomatoes contain plenty of vitamins C, K and A, and it is these vitamins that are essential in building healthier skin and immune system. Tomatoes contain a lot of water so this is good for those seeking to lose weight because tomatoes fill you up and suppress the appetite. If you want to prevent cancer, eat more tomato-based curries because the lycopene inside tomatoes prevent the formation and spread of cancer cells. Finally, tomatoes are high in fiber.

Tamarind

Tamarind is a delicious and ripe dark-colored fruit that is often made into a paste and used primarily in South Indian dishes. Tamarind also has cool health benefits for those who eat it. If you need a natural laxative tamarind is a good choice because it helps in the treatment of mild digestive illnesses such as constipation. Tamarind can also be used to rejuvenate your skin. Tamarind has a strong antioxidant called tartaric acid and it contains potassium, zinc and iron.

Turmeric

This popular spice of Indian cuisine has several health benefits. You can fight off colds and joint inflammation by adding a few teaspoons of turmeric to your herbal tea or warm milk, and turmeric and certain cancers have a shorter chance of development in the body if you consume turmeric. Other benefits of turmeric include reduction of indigestion in the stomach, slowing down of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and the increase of metabolism for weight loss.

Turmeric

Chickpeas

Chickpeas are common in Indian cuisine and they are healthy for you. Chickpeas are high in fiber and this means that you can suppress your appetite better for weight loss purposes. This is why you tend to get full quickly after eating chickpeas or beans. If you are a vegetarian in need of protein from non-animal sources, you can fix chickpeas since they are also high in protein. Chickpeas are energy boosters because of the high iron content and they lower your bad cholesterol levels.

Conclusion

When you combine the above mentioned foods with fish, poultry, lean meats and vegetables, you will have a meal that tastes good and that helps your body function correctly. If you have a naturopathic doctor, ask him for ways that you can prepare Indian dishes in a healthy manner and you can read a few Indian recipes online. When adding spices, be sure not to go overboard because it takes away from the overall flavor.

Essential Items You Must Stock Up On To Prepare Indian Food

If you are interested in making Indian dishes on a regular basis, you will need to visit an ethnic market since this is the ideal place to buy affordable staples for this kind of cuisine. One of the most important staples in the Indian pantry is rice because it is served with numerous dishes and it also stretches your meals a great deal. Another important staple in Indian cuisine is roti bread and you can buy unleavened or leavened versions of it. Paneer is a soft Indian cheese that you will find in vegetarian dishes at Indian restaurants across the UK and paneer adds creaminess to recipes. Paneer cheese is often included in tomato-based dishes.

Important Spices Needed for Preparing Indian Food

All Indian dishes have considerable amounts of diverse spices and this means that you will not need to smother your meals with so much salt, which is not very healthy for your heart and blood pressure. Black pepper is a common spice in Indian cuisine as is asafetida, which does not have the best odor but  tastes great in many dishes. Cardamom is native to India and it has a slight pungent flavor. You will also need ground coriander and turmeric in your pantry as well as ground ginger. Cumin and curry powder are important in preparing curries and cinnamon is another good spice.

Chickpeas, Beans and Other Legumes

Those who want to prepare Indian food in an affordable way must have chickpeas and beans in their pantries because there are quite a few Indian dishes that include these staples. If you need to learn more about which Indian recipes contain mostly legumes, you can read online articles and books by authors who are experts in this cuisine. With that said, you can serve the beans or chickpeas with rice or roti bread.

Yogurt and Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a popular ingredient in curries and fish or chicken stews throughout India and in Indian-British households in the UK. Coconut milk adds a sweet balance to these meals and it is available at most major supermarkets. Yogurt is commonly used in Indian dishes and yogurt adds the tangy flavor.

Mango Powder

This is a powder that is created from dried mangoes and it adds a delicious tartness to Indian dishes, particularly in the northern part of India. If you are preparing vegetarian or poultry dishes based in India, mango powder is a great addition to them. Some ethnic markets in the UK sell the powder in bulk purchases.

Conclusion

These are important staples in the Indian pantry but there are many more that can be added such as mint, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, hot chilies, tomatoes and potatoes. To save money on these products, take advantage of the sales during the week and buy the discounted items in bulk. Finally, ask a native Indian you know to give you cooking lessons if this is your first time preparing Indian cuisine.

Tips on Shopping at Ethnic Markets for Indian Food Staples

Whether it is paneer cheese or curry sauces in jars, one of the best places to purchase Indian food staples in the uk is the ethnic market and it would be better if you visited a market that is owned by Indian British residents since they consistently have access to suppliers throughout India to give them the goods for customers to buy in the uk. One important tip is to always look at the expiration date and appearance of the products because if the product looks dusty, it is not something you should buy. Do not be afraid to ask the salesperson for advice on which products to choose.

Look Out for Deep Discounts

Those who want to stretch the amount of pounds they earn during the week will like ethnic markets because these markets often have deep discounts on Indian staples. You can buy a huge bag of rice or potatoes for a decent price and the good thing is that the rice will last for weeks as opposed to the medium-sized bag that may last for a few days. You can also stock up on fresh produce and canned staples by taking advantage of discounts.

Get Adventurous With The Products You Buy

You should go beyond the roti bread and hot chilies when looking for good Indian staples at the ethnic markets. You may find a pack of canned yogurt drinks that you can have after eating your shrimp curry or with your dessert. Or you may decide to purchase ready-made cucumber raita dip to serve with your grilled naan bread and vegetables during a lunch with friends.

Take An Indian Friend With You

If you have a good friend who is from India, take her with you to the ethnic market if this is your first time shopping for Indian food staples. Your friend will be able spot which brands are not very authentic and she can compile a list of essential items you need to prepare Indian food properly.

Glance At Others’ Baskets

You play the role of a secret Sherlock Holmes and quickly glance at what is in others’ baskets because it gives you an idea about which Indian food staples at the market are the best. If this does not work, you can read reviews of various brands of Indian food staples before heading to the market.

Conclusion

The urban areas of the uk are culturally diverse and this is why you should check out the ethnic markets in the city you live in. The workers at the markets are friendly and sometimes they share stories behind the foods and why they are well-loved both in India and the uk. Ethnic markets are affordable and there is excitement in visiting them. When you go in the market always show respect for the staff and fellow customers there and be willing to have an open mind concerning the products you see that are unfamiliar.

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Everyday Indian Food at Home for UK Residents

So you and your spouse visit Indian restaurants frequently but now that times are financially tough for the both of you, you can no longer visit the restaurants as much as you used to. Do not worry because with a few inexpensive and readily available ingredients, you can create the Indian restaurant experience at your dinner table. Aloo is a popular Indian dish that you can make with potatoes and traditional spices such as turmeric, ginger and cardamom. You start by mashing peeled and cooked potatoes in a bowl then you add the spices and a third cup of water. Dump drops of the potato mixture in hot oil and fry for five minutes on both sides.

Curried Chicken

Once you fried the aloo, you can prepare curried chicken to go with it. Start by heating a few teaspoons of butter or oil in a skillet for five minutes and then you would throw in diced and seasoned pieces of boneless chicken breasts. Add a cup each of yellow and green onions along with crushed garlic, then saute the mixture for ten minutes. Add three teaspoons of curry paste, ground ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, a third cup of chicken broth and a cup of yogurt or coconut. Simmer for thirty minutes then serve.

Shahi Tukra

This is the Indian version of bread pudding and here is how to make it. In a medium saucepan combine a cup each of heavy cream and condensed milk and let it heat for five to ten minutes before setting aside. Meanwhile fry six to twelve pieces of bread and raisins in vegetable oil until the bread is golden brown and crisp. Remove bread and raisins from the pot and then place them in a greased pan. Pour milk mixture on top of the bread and raisins and top with crushed almonds. Place in the refrigerator and let freeze for thirty to forty minutes.

Lamb Stew 

To make lamb stew, you should first heat a few teaspoons of butter for five minutes then add a cup each of onions, tomatoes and potatoes. Add your favorite spices and three pounds of ground lamb, then saute everything for ten minutes. Add three cups of chicken broth and a third cup of tomato sauce and cook for thirty minutes.

Conclusion

When you prepare healthy Indian food at home, you save money on eating out and you can experiment with different ingredients. If you are looking for specialty Indian food staples, you should visit local ethnic markets and seek out sales on these products. For example, if you love paneer cheese, you buy it in bulk while it is on sale. If you are not sure which brands of Indian food staples are the best, you should talk to the salesperson for suggestions. When you cook Indian dishes for others, it is a good idea to not make them too spicy since not all guests will like their meals this way.

Information on Indian Food Industry in UK

We are living in a time when the cuisines of other nations are taking hold of Western consumers and this is especially true in Birmingham with a booming Indian food industry that is partly driven by the Indian immigrant population in Birmingham and other factors. There also seems to be a strong demand for Indian food throughout the UK according to some British consumer researchers. In fact, they say that there are just as many if not more Indian restaurants in London alone than in India and one of the best-loved dishes in the UK is curry as well as traditional British dishes.

Rise of Online UK-Based Retailers of Indian Food Staples

Thanks to the Internet, UK residents do not have to frequently visit Indian restaurants in order to get the best Indian food because they can purchase the essential items of Indian cuisine from online food stores based in the UK that offer Indian food ingredients. You can find hundreds of these online retailers and each one offers diverse brands of Indian food staples such as curry powder, tamarind paste, coconut milk and bottles of curry sauces or dried fruits.

Roots of Indian Food In UK

The first Indian restaurant to open in the UK was called the Hindustani Coffee House and it was founded in 1809 by a man who was of Indian and Irish ancestry, Dean Mahomet. It closed in 1833 and it was not until the 20^th century that the UK started to see a boom in the rise of Indian restaurants and markets that specialized in Indian food staples. The word “curry” comes from the Tamil word “kari”, which means spicy sauce. Nowadays you can find an Indian restaurant in most neighborhoods across the UK.

Birmingham Indian Restaurants

In the UK city of Birmingham, you will see a boom in the number of Indian restaurants being established and enjoyed by Indian food lovers. The roots of Indian restaurants and food markets go back to the 1940s and today the tradition continues. If you are traveling to Birmingham and want to locate the best restaurants in this city, you can read a few travel guides since they often recommend good Indian restaurants for tourists.

Conclusion

Throughout the UK’s history there has been a love affair with Indian cuisine and it continues today. Nowadays you will see select British-Indian cooking TV personalities show viewers how to prepare authentic Indian food for those wanting to learn how to make authentic Indian food.  There are also cookbooks that have been published by UK-based authors who are experts in Indian cuisine preparation. If you want to learn more about the Indian food industry in the UK, you can read food service trade journals and food magazine articles on the topic. You can also interview owners of Indian restaurants in Birmingham such as Raj Rana from Itihaas for further insight. Based on researchers’ studies and the current interest in Indian food worldwide, it seems that the Indian food industry in the UK will only grow by leaps and bounds in coming years.

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Foods Served at Indian Weddings

If you are a British native and your future spouse is from India and lives in the UK, you will probably incorporate Indian themes into your wedding planning and one of the most important aspect of Indian weddings is the food. Here are some details on foods that are commonly included in Indian-themed weddings.

North Indian Wedding Food

Here is what you would expect if the wedding is based on north Indian traditions. When the guests first come to the wedding venue, they will be served light finger foods and after the ceremony takes place, you may eat shahi paneer, which means cheese and the cheese is also served with tomatoes, cream and diverse spices. Boiled lentils and rice are also staples at weddings with a northern Indian theme.

Wedding Foods of Western India

In this region of India much of the wedding meals are served to guests on banana leaves and most of the dishes are vegetarian although you may see a few seafood or chicken dishes. Daal is a dish that is made with dried lentils and roti is a special kind of Indian bread that resembles pita bread. Basundi is a sweet milk drink and you may also drink a popular buttermilk beverage called battha at a western Indian-style wedding.

East and South Indian Wedding Meals

During an East Indian wedding, you will find fish and vegetable entrees along with mishti doi, which is the term for sweet curd. Rice is also a main staple at East Indian weddings. For South Indian weddings,  the foods served are similar to those at East Indian weddings.

Specific Dishes You Can Have at Indian Weddings

If you are having a small wedding and you have good cooking skills, here are some dishes that you and relatives can prepare for the wedding. Chicken Tikka Masala is a chicken dish in which pieces of chicken are marinated and cooked in a thick red gravy with vegetables. For vegetarian guests, you can serve malai kofta and this is vegetarian meatballs that are made with potatoes, paneer and vegetables, and then these meatballs are fried. Tandoori chicken is another favorite at Indian celebrations and the chicken is cooked in a tandoori stove.

Conclusion

In the UK Indian cuisine is highly popular and whether you are planning or attending an Indian-themed wedding, it is a good idea to have an understanding of the foods that will be served at the wedding so you will not feel awkward at the event. It is also important to learn proper dining etiquette when eating at Indian weddings because it shows your ability and willingness to respect another person’s native culture. There are books you can read at bookstores by Indian culinary experts based who can give pointers on the best foods to serve at Indian-themed weddings and how to prepare them if you will cook them yourself. Finally, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself at the celebration.

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Itihaas Restaurant Review

Itihaas is a restaurant that is located in the city centre of Brmingham and it serves authentic and delicious Indian food. Specifically, the cuisine served at this restaurant is in the style of Northwestern India and based on customers’ reviews, it is a great place to enjoy Indian food. You will not only enjoy the dinnertime fancy meals but also popular Mumbai street foods such as Chicken samosas. This restaurant also offers more than the traditional curries; it offers a variety of lamb, chicken and seafood dishes that you may not have heard of before and this adds to the excitement of the dining experience.

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Restaurant Has Visual Appeal

While the food is the most appealing thing about Itihaas, the inside of the restaurant is just as beautiful and appealing.  When you walk in you will see dimly-lit glass chandeliers against the backdrop of brown walls. The seating area has tall white upholstered chairs and the tables have basic white linen cloth over them. You will also find colorful statues and Indian-inspired artwork.

A La Carte Dining

Itihaas has a nice and diverse a la carte menu and here are some of the dishes on this menu. The aloo ravala is a dish that is served with baby aubergines that are stuffed with spices and red potatoes. The aloo ravala comes bathed in a delicious tomato sauce. There is also a dish called the dry fry and this is a selection of fried vegetable dumplings that are made with chopped garlic, green onions, hot chilies, and tomatoes. The dumplings come with a dipping sauce. The tirangi murgh is a trio of chicken on skewers marinated in sauce that mimic the Indian flag.

Itihaas Business Menu

Here are some of the dishes you will find on the business lunch menu at Itihaas Restaurant. The Makhani Murgh is a dish that includes pieces of chicken that is served in yogurt and tomato cream sauce. The lamb rogan josh is a meal where tender lamb is served in a tomato gravy and topped with chopped coriander. The Makhani Dal is a dish that includes lentils served in a ginger sauce with tomatoes while the Makhani Paneer is pieces of cottage cheese served in aromatic spices and broth.

Conclusion

Itihaas Restaurant is a restaurant in Birmingham where you can sample the best authentic traditional Indian food at affordable prices. The staff is friendly and if you are unfamiliar with some of the dishes on the menu, the staff will gladly assist you in the ordering process. If you are a vegetarian, this restaurant offers non-meat dishes that are delicious and you will also find desserts and traditional Indian drinks on the menu. Customers who visited the restaurant mentioned that they were pleased with the meals and they also talked about the atmosphere in general. This restaurant has a trendy feel to it yet it still has the traditional feel of a homestyle Indian restaurant that is not pretentious.

How to Make Authentic Indian Curry At Home

If you live in Birmingham you probably have visited several Indian restaurants and one of your favorite dishes may be curry. You always wanted to know how to make various Indian curries at home but you are not sure how to do so. Here are some tips on how to make authentic Indian curry just like your favorite Indian restaurant.

Quick Method of Making Curry Sauce

Instead of shop-bought curry sauce, here is how you can make the sauce at home. Start by heating a few teaspoons of butter in a skillet at medium heat for three minutes then add crushed garlic, a third cup each of yellow and green onions and a third cup of chicken broth along with a few teaspoons of curry powder or curry paste. Then add a cup of diced tomatoes and crushed hot chilies if you like the sauce spicy. Let simmer for ten minutes then serve with meat or fish and rice.

Yogurt or Coconut Milk Add Sweetness and Tang to Curries

So you have made curries for the past few months and while the curries came out right, you realize that something is still missing from the recipe. If you want to add sweetness and tang to your curries, you should add coconut milk or yogurt to the curry sauce. These ingredients are popular in Indian curry recipes and it makes a big difference in the taste and appearance.

Chicken Curry

To make chicken curry, you want to start by dicing a few pieces of boneless chicken breasts in cubes and after this you would heat a few teaspoons of oil in a medium-sized skillet and saute the chicken pieces along with a cup each of onions and a few teaspoons of crushed garlic and spices such as coriander, turmeric, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and salt. Saute the chicken, onions and garlic for ten minutes then add four to five teaspoons of curry paste or curry powder. Add a cup of tomato sauce, a third cup of diced tomatoes and a half cup of yogurt to the chicken mixture along with a third cup of chicken broth. Let simmer for twenty minutes before serving.

Conclusion

Curry is a main dish in Indian cuisine and you do not have to wait until your next trip to an Indian restaurant to enjoy this dish. With the right ingredients and patience, you can prepare a curry that is as close as possible to the real thing and you just might impress your friends who are natives of India. If your curry comes out too thick, you can thin it out with a little water or broth. Another idea is to add crushed chilies or nuts for the extra kick. The best places to find ingredients for your curry are ethnic food markets throughout the UK and UK-based retailers that specialize in Indian food staples. These staples are generally affordable and you can also buy them in bulk.

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