Prepare your palate and be ready to order some food because this is going to be a lip-smacking ride which will leave you craving for more. This is not just an article about Indian food photography. This is a journey; a journey where you will discover the delicacies from the mountains, proud breakfast cuisines going from North to South, some lesser-known food facts, and more food.
A Little History
The very culture of cooking food in India can be traced back to the time of The Harappa Civilization and The Mohenjadaro Civilization. It is believed that they used various pulses and cereals for daily food consumption.
As we moved to the Vedic Period, our regular diet witnessed changes that included vegetables, dairy, fruits, honey, and meat, along with the use of spices. Since Aryans had arrived from Central Asia, they had introduced several different cuisines.
But with the rise of the Gupta and Maurya Empires, the religious beliefs influenced the eating habits, condemning the consumption of meat. While it was mostly vegetables, the food didn't lack in development of our bodies.
After Vedic, came the Medieval period that saw the Mughals bringing in some popular cuisine from Central Asia like Naans and other flatbreads.
Then came the Nizams and Portuguese with their Biryanis and other lip-smacking dishes, followed by British, Chinese, and others.
Whether it is a pure vegetarian meal like dal and rice or Idli Sambhar or it is a meat dish like mutton biryani, everything we call Indian Food has a heavy influence from our past.
List Of Some Popular India Foods
Now that we are done with history, we can move forward to check out some really popular dishes across India. These dishes are not just eaten but they are more or less worshipped for their uniqueness and the taste. So, let's check out some popular Indian food and Indian food photos.
1. Hyderabadi Biryani
Believed to be originated from the scullery of Nizam of Hyderabad, This biryani has a heavy influence from Iranian and Mughlai cuisine.
Hyderabadi Biryani is prepared with Dum Pukht Technique which basically means slow cooking. It may take some time to cook it, but in the end, it's all worth it.
2. Dal Makhani
Dal Makhani is one of the classic Indian Cuisines. Whether you are at home or in a restaurant, you can always enjoy it with a Naan or some cooked rice.
3. Papdi Chaat
Being a traditional fast-food, Papdi Chaat is famous among the peeps living in Norths India as well as Pakistan and Bangladesh. The dish features a mix of chickpeas, potatoes, dashi, crispy wafers (papdi) and chutney. The best part about this dish is the burst of flavors in your mouth. Tangy, Sour, Sweet and Spicy.
4. Idli Sambhar
You know what's a perfect meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? IDLI!
Yes, this beautiful puffy rice dish when served with some sambhar and ground-up coconut chutney, makes for a delightful meal.
5. Rogan Josh
A mouth-watering dish that is a common sight in Kashmiri households, Rogan Josh is best enjoyed with flat-breads. The dish, which is incomplete without the ribs, makes for an amazing conversation 'starter' and main course.