The Regional Food of India
India is vast and diverse, and its diversity translates into each region having its own cuisine. Gujarati dishes are distinctly different to those from the Punjab, for example, and in Indian cuisine you also find regions where meat is favoured, ones where a vegetarian diet is preferred and in others where fish is the focus.
In your local Indian restaurant the dishes you’re served are primarily Punjabi. Meat is a staple and the glorious flavour of the tandoor, (a clay oven fired by charcoal) is one of its many delights, as its flat breads, also cooked in the tandoor. Northern Indian curries are typically served with creamy sauces that are only moderately hot; a Korma being a good example of this style.
However, if you travel to the other end of India, to Kerala for example, dishes are predominantly rice based and include seafood and coconut, while in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh the food is hot and spicy. Biryani fans should travel to the city of Hyderabad , home of this well-loved dish, while in Karnataka the array of vegetarian dishes is simply vast.
Goa is very popular with western visitors and since it is known for its beaches, it is logical that Goan cuisine is dominated by seafood. Pork dishes are also popular here, and Goa’s Portuguese past is evident in its roast beef dinners. If you are wondering why, due to the Portuguese influence many Goans are Catholics and therefore are permitted to eat beef, while of course a Hindu would not dream of touching it.
Gujarat is renowned for its slightly sweet-savoury taste, or sweet-sour in the case of Gujarati daal, and is entirely vegetarian. And for those with a very sweet tooth, the Jalebi dripping in syrup is a Gujarati classic.
In Bengal, which is mainly coastal, there is plenty of fish on the menu: fried, stewed or made into a curry. Bengalis also love milk-based sweets, while in north-east India they specialise in hot, dry curries with very little oil: rice, vegetables and meat stew make up most meals here.
At Leo Foods we have all the ingredients available that will allow you to experiment with dishes from any area of India, and our staff will happily give advice about any of our Indian products, and explain ones that are new to you.
We also provide the Indian restaurant trade on the Costa del Sol with all necessary ingredients. We welcome you to open a trade account and benefit from huge savings and an exceptional service.
Visit interleo.com for more details.
