Have you heard about Indian thali? In a traditional Indian thali, a large plate is filled with different bowls of small sizes. The bowls are filled with 2-3 variations of dal, sabzi, some rice or roti and sometimes even both and a sweet dish. This thali contributes to a complete meal by filling in all essential nutrients in the right proportions.
Typical Indian food will include:
• Raw food in the form of vegetables, dairy products, cereals
• Proteins in the form of eggs, fish, meat, legumes and legumes,
• Carbohydrates and fats
• Spices and herbs
Each of these ingredients contribute to a well-balanced and healthy diet.
As we all know, the human body needs different foods and nutrients to grow; Indian cuisine has them all. Various spices and vegetables in the diet are important for a healthy, balanced life. Bajra, nachni, jowar, along with various rice grains, are widely grown in India and an important part of immune building. You will also find various legume dishes in Indian food that are high in protein and all the essential amino acids.
Some Common Indian Side Dishes you need to know about
Indian thalis are full of lively colours and flavours.
Pickled cucumbers with the right quality of salt (rock salt) and oil are one of the best probiotic foods you can have along with your curry dishes.
Made from green leafy seeds and green seeds, traditional Indian chutney is very nutrient dense and offsets the rich flavours of the curry dishes beautifully.
Papadum is a thin, crunchy side dish made from black chickpea flour, which is usually served as an appetizer or alongside your curries and mains.
Raita is a yogurt-based sauce sprinkled with grated vegetables and ground spices, usually, cumin, which is used to cool and temper the heat along with ingredients like Basmati rice.
hutney is another popular dietary supplement like masala dosa or samosa. You will find a wide variation in chutneys from tamarind to mint. Many Indian families even mix their mint chutney with ketchup, which is eaten with samosas or Dahi toast. Along with chutney, achaar, made from fruit or vegetables, livens up everything from rice to yogurt to dal and is always served on a traditional Indian table. The classic option is the spiced achaar mango, which varies from state to state in terms of heat and spice, but carries a classic bittersweet profile.
The Indian name for tea is Chai. Chai is made by infusing water or milk with black, spices and a little sugar or honey. Masala Chai is when you add a combination of masala spices to your standard chai brew. A typical chai masala has a blend of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, and ginger. All of these ingredients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and are so beneficial for health.
Lassi is another sweet yogurt drink, which is traditionally made by diluting the yoghurt with milk or water and then sweetening it for added taste. Sometimes cream is also added to the drink to make it richer and creamer.