10 Easy Ways To Make Indian Dishes for Beginner Cooks

Cooking is a passion followed by many. It can be difficult sometimes, but it is very fun and relaxing at times too. Indian cuisine is very easy to work with, only if you have the many spices that are required. Here are some easy - to - make Indian dishes for beginner cooks!

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Aalo Gobhi

In this dish, we use two vegetables - potatoes and cauliflower. All you are going to need is some cumin seeds, an onion, a tomato, some spices such as salt, chilli powder, turmeric and garam masala, and one big potato and a head of cauliflower. Cut up the cauliflower, separating its florets from each other, and take a big pan with some hot water and place them in the pot. We are going to keep the cauliflower boiled and softened already so that way the dish will not take long to cook. Dice up the potatoes as well. 

In a pan, sautee the cumin seeds in some oil, adding finely chopped onions later. Once the onions are caramelised, add the chopped tomatoes in, and let this simmer and reduce for a while. Then we will add the salt, turmeric powder, chilli powder and garam masala. We will mix this and then add in the potatoes and cauliflower.

Mix it around and cover it with a lid so that the potato cooks thoroughly. Occasionally check in to make sure the dish has not burnt, and you will soon have finished making the dish! Enjoy with some roti (indian bread) and some yoghurt on the side! This is a very easy and healthy dish that is eaten often in the Northern parts of India.

Vegetable Biryani

Vegetable biryani usually contains yoghurt-coated, spiced vegetables that are then layered between rice and steamed all together. A saffron liquid is poured over, then the dish is topped with caramelised red onions. Spices such as cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and cloves will complement the dish too, but you can also choose your own adventure and use up what you have on hand. This is an easy to make vegetarian version of biryani! Add a bunch of frozen veggies in there, make some raita (essentially yoghurt with chopped onions and tomatoes) and you have a delicious and nutritious meal.

Saag Paneer

This robust curry is a staple in many Indian restaurants. With a manageable ingredient list, ours is easy to recreate at home. It's the perfect vegetarian meal for a weeknight (you could even try and make it vegan using extra-firm tofu and canned coconut milk). This dish is essentially boiled and blended spinach in some mild spices and paneer (cottage cheese). It is a very healthy and nutritious meal, often paired with roti (indian bread).

Chicken Tikka Masala

A classic Indian takeout dish, chicken tikka masala is not as difficult to make at home as you may think. Packed with flavour, the creamy, spiced sauce covers tender pieces of chicken, just waiting to be served with homemade naan and perfect basmati rice. This is a very common and popular Indian dish served in many restaurants. It is mild and yummy, and very easy to make!

Papdi Chaat

Papdi chaat can take on many variations, but this particular version is a monster of a delight with two chutneys, tender potatoes and chickpeas, tangy yoghurt, a medley of eye-catching red onions, pomegranate seeds, diced tomatoes, and finished with a generous snowing of crunchy sev noodles.

Chicken Madras

If you love spice, you’ve got to try this chicken Madras recipe. Spiked with a potent blend of freshly ground spices and soothed with rich coconut milk, this chicken curry is equal parts spicy, creamy, and downright delicious. This dish is commonly paired with either freshly made basmati rice or some roti (indian bread).

Indian Butter Chicken

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Butter chicken is one of the most popular dishes at most Indian restaurants, and for good reason. This chicken recipe uses deeply flavoured chicken thighs, simmered in an ultra-silky and aromatic sauce of tomatoes, cream, and cashews. Spoon this dish over steamed rice or serve with warm naan for the perfect dinner.

Dal

The term dal refers to both this soup-like Indian dish and the word for split lentils. For this version, red lentils are simmered down in a tomato broth with lots of warm, bold spices. The spiced oil that gets drizzled over top is optional but highly encouraged (even if you don't love heat!). This is a staple in many Indian households as many of the Indians are vegetarians, and it provides a great source of protein and deliciousness!

Peda (Milk Fudge)

Peda is a super-popular mitai (sweet) eaten in Indian households during Diwali. It’s a milky fudge-like confection that is traditionally made from dried evaporated milk solids called khoya, though lots of people use a shortcut method of sweetened condensed milk and nonfat dry milk powder. This is a very popular Indian sweet and is mild in taste and quite yummy!

Chicken Curry

This is the perfect weeknight curry because it's primarily ingredients you probably already have on hand: chicken, onions, garlic, pantry spices, heavy cream, and canned tomatoes. Not a spice lover? Don't worry! While there are a lot of warm ground spices that season the dish, this curry isn't spicy at all.

The Bottom Line

Hopefully this article was able to provide you with some easy - to - make Indian dishes for Beginner Cooks! Happy cooking!

Written by - Vidita Sachdeva