Introduction:
Indian cuisine is known for its bold flavors and rich spices. However, you don’t always need a long list of ingredients to create delicious Indian dishes at home. In fact, there are several Indian foods that can be made with just 5 ingredients or less. These recipes are not only easy to make but also packed with authentic Indian flavors. So, if you’re craving some Indian food but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, here are 10 Indian foods you can make at home with 5 ingredients or less.
1. Aloo Gobi:
Aloo Gobi is a classic Indian dish made with potatoes (aloo) and cauliflower (gobi). To make this dish, you’ll need potatoes, cauliflower, turmeric, cumin seeds, and oil. Simply sauté the cumin seeds in oil, add the potatoes and cauliflower along with turmeric, and cook until they are tender. Serve this flavorful dish with roti or rice.
2. Chana Masala:
Chana Masala is a popular North Indian dish made with chickpeas (chana) and a blend of spices. To make this dish, you’ll need chickpeas, onion, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, and a blend of spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala. Sauté the onions, add the spices and ginger-garlic paste, and cook until the tomatoes are soft. Then, add the cooked chickpeas and simmer until the flavors are well combined. Serve with rice or naan bread.
3. Dal Tadka:
Dal Tadka is a popular Indian lentil dish that is flavored with a tempering of spices. To make this dish, you’ll need yellow lentils (dal), tomatoes, garlic, cumin seeds, and oil. Boil the lentils with tomatoes until they are cooked and tender. In a separate pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds and garlic. Once the garlic turns golden brown, pour this tempering over the cooked lentils. Serve with rice or roti.
4. Paneer Tikka:
Paneer Tikka is a delicious Indian appetizer made with paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and a marinade of spices. To make this dish, you’ll need paneer, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, and garam masala. Mix the marinade ingredients and coat the paneer cubes with it. Let it marinate for a few hours and then grill or bake until the paneer is golden and slightly charred. Serve with mint chutney.
5. Vegetable Biryani:
Vegetable Biryani is a fragrant rice dish made with basmati rice, mixed vegetables, and a blend of spices. To make this dish, you’ll need rice, mixed vegetables, onions, biryani masala, and oil. Sauté the onions, add the spices, vegetables, and rice. Cook everything together until the rice is fluffy and the flavors are well absorbed. Serve this aromatic biryani with raita.
6. Masoor Dal:
Masoor Dal is a simple and nutritious lentil dish made with red lentils. To make this dish, you’ll need red lentils, onion, tomatoes, ginger, and spices like cumin, turmeric, and chili powder. Boil the lentils with tomatoes until they are cooked. In a separate pan, sauté the onions, ginger, and spices. Then, add the cooked lentils and simmer for a few minutes. Serve with rice or roti.
7. Aloo Paratha:
Aloo Paratha is a popular Indian flatbread stuffed with a spiced potato filling. To make this dish, you’ll need whole wheat flour, potatoes, onion, spices like cumin and coriander, and oil. Make a dough with flour, stuff it with the potato filling, and roll it into a paratha. Cook it on a hot griddle with oil until it is golden and crispy. Serve with yogurt or pickle.
8. Palak Paneer:
Palak Paneer is a creamy spinach dish with paneer cubes. To make this dish, you’ll need spinach, paneer, onion, tomatoes, and a blend of spices. Blanch the spinach and blend it into a puree. Sauté the onions and tomatoes, add the spices, and then pour in the spinach puree. Cook everything together until the flavors are well combined. Finally, add the paneer cubes and simmer for a few minutes. Serve with naan or rice.
9. Jeera Rice:
Jeera Rice is a simple and flavorful rice dish made with basmati rice and cumin seeds. To make this dish, you’ll need rice, cumin seeds, ghee, and salt. Cook the rice with cumin seeds in ghee until it is fluffy and aromatic. Serve this fragrant rice with any curry or dal.
10. Poha:
Poha is a popular Indian breakfast dish made with flattened rice. To make this dish, you’ll need poha, onion, peanuts, curry leaves, and spices like turmeric and chili powder. Rinse the poha and set it aside. Sauté the onions, peanuts, and curry leaves, then add the spices and poha. Cook everything together until the poha is soft and well combined with the flavors. Serve with a cup of hot tea.
Conclusion:
These 10 Indian foods prove that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to create flavorful and authentic Indian dishes at home. With just 5 ingredients or less, you can enjoy the bold flavors of Indian cuisine without spending hours in the kitchen. So, don’t hesitate to try these recipes and satisfy your cravings for Indian food!