The side dish is a crucial part of every meal, but it’s often overlooked. A side dish provides balance to a meal, whether it’s soft and creamy or crunchy and spicy. In this article, we’ll show you some easy recipes for Indian side dishes that can be used with your meals or enjoyed on their own as snacks.
Naan
You might be familiar with naan, the leavened, oven-baked flatbread that’s been a staple of Indian cuisine since at least the 16th century. It’s often served as an accompaniment to curry dishes, though its versatility extends far beyond this simple role. It’s also used as a scoop for curries and other sauces or even stuffed with meat for a quick snack.
Pakora
Pakora is a fried snack made from gram flour and spices. It is usually served as an appetiser or starter. Pakora is a very popular street food in India and can be found in most places. You can make pakoras with any vegetable you like, but the most common ones are onion, potato and paneer (Indian cottage cheese). They are usually deep-fried in oil until golden brown on both sides, lightly salted, dipped in chickpea batter and then fried again. Pakoras are always served with mint chutney or red chilli sauce for dipping them!
Papri Chaat
Papri chaat is a mix of crispy fried bread, boiled potatoes and spices. It is served with spicy tomato chutney and eaten with a spoon. Papri chaat is usually served as an appetiser or snack but can be eaten for breakfast as well.
Papri chaat is popular in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. It is also served at the Indian Festival of Colors, Holi. The dish is usually made with potatoes, onions and chickpea flour. However, there are many variations that use different ingredients.
Raita
Raita is a yoghurt-based dish that can be served as a dip or on the side of any main course. It is usually made with different vegetables and herbs, such as cucumber and mint leaves. It is a popular appetiser in many Middle Eastern countries, including Israel and Lebanon. As per the Chef Online’s professionals, “It can be served with pita bread or as an accompaniment to grilled meats such as chicken and lamb.”
Rasam
Rasam is a south Indian soup made with tamarind, tomato, garlic and spices. It is served with rice, idli or dosa. Rasam can also be made vegetarian and non-vegetarian as per your choice.
While the ingredients may seem simple, rasam has a unique flavour. The combination of tamarind and tomatoes give it a tangy taste, while the spices add a kick to it. It is often served as an accompaniment with rice or idli/dosas but can be consumed any time of the day.
Papadum
If you’re familiar with Indian food, then you know that papadum is a small, crispy wafer that is used as an accompaniment to many meals.
The word “papadum” originates from the Sanskrit word “pappadam,” which translates to “an item made of lentil flour.” It’s also known as a crisp bread or wafer. Basically, you can think of it as a chip, just like tortilla chips.
Papadums are usually eaten with dal (lentil stew) and other dishes, including curries and soups. They can be eaten plain or with chutneys or dips such as mango pickles or coconut chutneys.
As you can see, there are many side dishes to choose from. If you’re looking for Indian food that is full of flavour and easy to make, then these side dishes are a perfect choice! Google “best Indian takeaway near me” to find these dishes in restaurants near you.
