A Look at Indian Cuisine Dishes and Where to Find Them in Chicago

India is the home to over one billion citizens, 550,000 villages, 18 official languages and dozens of different religions. Its exotic cuisine is just as diverse. Religion in the nation has influenced the khana (Hindi for food) moreso than any other foreign stimulus. While the British were known for starting the commercial cultivation of tea in India, the Hindu and Muslim cultures have shaped the diet of its citizens into what it is today. The vegetarian tradition, which is widespread, is a result of Hindu beliefs, whereas Muslim customs are the basis in the cooking of meats. 

As one travels through this eastern country, the variety of its food is as obvious as the diversity in its terrain and climate. In the temperate Northern parts of the country, nestled amongst the Himalayan Mountains, several different schools of cooking are prevalent. Punjabi, Kashmiri, Mughlai, Bengali and others add diversity to the highly Muslim influenced dishes. A typical northern meal would include Kababs, Nargisi Koftas (meatballs) and the ever popular Biryani (a layered meat and rice preparation). Unleavened breads, such as Chapatis, Naan, Rotus and Parathas, are common accompaniments for any Northern Indian feast. An ordinary desert would perhaps be a sweet meat from Bengal such as Rasagulla or Sandesh, Kheer, a rice pudding, or Kulfi, a nut-flavored ice cream.