Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani)
This creamy North Indian curry consists of tender chicken in a spiced tomato sauce.
Ingredients (serves 4): 500g boneless chicken, 1 cup yogurt, 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste, 1 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp chili powder, 2 tbsp butter, 1 cup tomato puree, 1/2 cup cream, salt, and fresh cilantro for garnish.
Steps: Marinate chicken in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, chili powder, and salt for 1-2 hours. Grill or sauté the chicken until browned. In a pan, melt butter, add tomato puree and spices, simmer for 10 minutes, then stir in cream and cooked chicken; cook for another 5-10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or naan.
Naan Bread
A soft, chewy flatbread often baked in a tandoor, perfect as a side.
Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp yeast, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp butter or ghee.
Steps: Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm milk, let it activate for 10 minutes. Mix with flour, yogurt, and salt to form a dough; knead for 5 minutes and let rise for 1 hour. Divide into balls, roll out, and cook on a hot skillet or oven at 450°F (230°C) for 2-3 minutes per side until puffed and golden. Brush with butter.
Samosa
Crispy fried pastries filled with spiced potatoes, a popular street snack.
Ingredients (makes 12): For dough – 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup oil, water, salt. For filling – 3 boiled potatoes, 1/2 cup peas, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp garam masala, chili powder, and oil for frying.
Steps: Mix flour, oil, salt, and water into a stiff dough; rest for 30 minutes. Mash potatoes with peas, spices, and sauté briefly. Roll dough into circles, cut in half, form cones, fill with mixture, seal, and deep-fry until golden brown. Serve with chutney.
Chana Masala (Chickpea Curry)
A tangy, vegetarian Punjabi dish made with chickpeas in spiced gravy.
Ingredients (serves 4): 2 cups cooked chickpeas, 2 onions, 2 tomatoes, 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp chili powder, 2 tbsp oil, salt, and cilantro.
Steps: Sauté onions in oil until golden, add ginger-garlic paste and spices, then tomatoes; cook into a paste. Add chickpeas and water, simmer for 15-20 minutes until thickened. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or roti.
Gulab Jamun
Soft, syrup-soaked milk dumplings, a classic dessert.
Ingredients (makes 20): 1 cup milk powder, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp ghee, milk to knead, 2 cups sugar, 1 cup water, cardamom, and rose water for syrup.
Steps: Mix milk powder, flour, baking soda, and ghee with milk to form a soft dough. Shape into small balls and deep-fry on low heat until golden. Boil sugar and water with cardamom into syrup, add rose water, then soak fried balls for 2 hours. Serve warm or chilled.