Here Are Some Indian Starters You Must Try
Shami Kebab
Shami kebab is a variety of kebab made by combining minced lamb, mutton, or beef with split chickpeas, onions, chilis, ginger, garlic, and various herbs and spices such as cumin, red chilli flakes, garam masala, and mint leaves. The meat mixture is then seasoned with salt and pepper and shaped into round patties, which are then coated with beaten eggs and pan-fried until their exterior becomes crispy, but the patties remain silky and tender on the inside.
These kebabs are commonly enjoyed in India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan and make for an excellent snack, appetizer, or accompaniment to the main course. Believed to have originated in Lucknow, shami kebabs pair well with onions, lime or lemon wedges, roti or naan, and various chutneys on the side.
Masala Papad
Masala papad is a traditional Indian snack and a version of papadum flatbread that’s topped with a mix of tangy and spicy ingredients. The flatbread is roasted or fried and usually made with lentil, chickpea, or rice flour. After being roasted or fried until crunchy, it’s topped with a mixture of onions, tomatoes, coriander, hot chilli powder, lemon juice, chaat masala, and salt.
It’s essential to add the topping after the flatbread has been fried or roasted. Otherwise, it will get soggy. If desired, additional ingredients can be added to the topping, such as cucumbers, mint leaves, carrots, or raw mango. Masala papad is traditionally served as a snack or an appetizer, but it can also be served as an accompaniment to various Indian meals.
Chilli Paneer
Chilli paneer is a traditional Indo-Chinese dish that’s served as an appetizer. The dish consists of paneer cheese cut into cubes, fried, and mixed with a sweet, sour, and spicy sauce. There are three versions of the dish – dry, semi-dry, and restaurant-style (in gravy).
The most prevalent version is the one in which fried paneer is served in gravy. Paneer cubes are battered in a mixture of cornstarch, flour, red chilli powder, ginger paste, garlic paste, salt, and black pepper, then fried. The gravy is made with a combination of ginger, garlic, chilli peppers, spring onions, soy sauce, red chilli powder, and sugar.
Before serving, the fried cheese is mixed with the gravy, and the dish is then garnished with spring onions if desired. It’s recommended to serve chilli paneer with fried rice or noodles on the side.
Gobi Manchurian
Gobi manchurian is a traditional indo-chinese dish consisting of fried cauliflower (gobi) tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce (manchurian). There are two variants of the dish – dry and gravy. The dry version is often served as an appetizer or a bar snack with ketchup on the side as a dipping sauce, while the gravy version features a thick sauce made with cornstarch, and it’s usually served as a main dish with rice on the side, either fried or steamed.
The cauliflower florets are coated in batter and deep-fried until crisp. The batter often consists of water, flour, cornflour, red chilli powder, and seasonings. At the same time, the sauce is made with a combination of garlic, ginger, onions, scallions, soy sauce, vinegar, oil, sugar, and chilli peppers. Initially, the chinese community created the dish in kolkata during the time of the british raj.
Paneer Tikka
This North Indian tikka variety consists of marinated paneer cheese and vegetables prepared in a tandoor – a popular Indian oven. This vegetarian variant of tikka is based on paneer, soft cheese with a soft texture.
Many paneers, tomatoes, onions, and peppers are skewered, cooked, and seasoned with lemon juice and chaat masala – a spicy powder. Sometimes the food is served with different salads or mint chutney on the side. Variations on the dish add paneer tikka masala, filled with spicy gravy, and paneer tikka rolls covered in Indian bread.
Onion Pakora
Crisp and tasty onion pakora made with gram flour is famous Indian street food. It is one snack that is simple to prepare and tastes good too. You can serve them with some grilled salted green chillies and green chutney or sweet chutney. This perfect combo can also be served with indian chai.
