The quality and sheer diversity of street food available in India is arguably unrivalled. You’d be hard-pressed to find a street corner that doesn’t have someone selling some form of food, especially in bigger towns and cities. And whilst their stalls may appear modest, don’t be fooled, some of the top Indian street vendors have a national and even international fanbase that keeps people queuing down the street from dawn until dusk. Or at least until all the samosas, idli cakes and sambar have gone.
In celebration of the diversity of Indian street food and her new Indian Street Food Box, Indian Cookaway Chef and Founder Nidhi Verma walked us through some of her favourite small plates and roadside snacks from across India.
From Pakora to Paneer Tikka and Indian-style Kebabs
Palak Pakora
This is a perfect snack recipe made using chopped spinach, onion, spices and gram flour. Best served with a cup of masala chai (tea) and coriander mint chutney.
Gobi Manchurian
Manchurian is a delicious stir-fry dish with Chinese roots, made by roughly chopping and deep-frying ingredients such as chicken, cauliflower, prawns, fish, mutton, and paneer, and then sautéeing them in a special sauce.
Aloo Tikki
Aloo Tikki, is a staple of Indian street food served at street food stalls, in chaat centers, and at cafés. Translated as potato patties, they are made up of potatoes, spices, and herbs, mixed and fried to crisp perfection.
Bread Pakora
Bread pakoda or bread bajji are made with a spiced batter of gram flour aka besan, spices, and salt. They are either stuffed with a mashed potato stuffing or made without any stuffing.
Paneer Tikka
Paneer tikka is an Indian dish made from chunks of paneer marinated in spices and grilled in a tandoor. It is a vegetarian alternative to chicken tikka and other meat dishes.
Chicken Malai Tikka
Malai tikka refers to grilled supreme of chicken with ginger, garlic, green chilli, cream cheese, coriander stems and cardamom.
Seekh Kebab
Scrumptious Seekh Kebabs are made with spiced, minced, or ground meat, usually lamb or chicken, formed into cylinders on skewers and grilled. They are typically cooked on a mangal, barbecue, or tandoor (traditional clay or metal oven).
Nidhi’s Favourite Sweets and Sides
Mango Lassi
Curry’s favourite refreshing companion is the mango lassi. Everyone has a slightly different take on this classic. Nidhi makes hers with fresh mango pulp, Greek yogurt, ice, milk and cardamom to give it a unique flavour.
Mango Srikand
Also known as Amrakhand, this popular Indian dessert is made with sweet mangoes, cardamom, and hung yoghurt. Silky and sumptuous, this dessert is the perfect finale to any Indian meal.
Masala Chai
A traditional Indian tea elevated with aromatic spices. This is a symbolic, comforting, and traditional drink for all occasions, especially on cooler evenings or during the monsoon season.
Coriander Mint Raita
Delicious and healthy accompaniment made with yoghurt, cucumber, fresh mint, and simple spices. The perfect match for any Indian meal.
All of these amazing street food dishes are now available to order as part of our new Indian Street Food Experience Box, you can also discover more of our Indian Cookaway menus here.