Indian cuisine generally relies on vegetables and spices, including the famous curries. In India, curries are not pre-purchased, rather they are individually blended from various spices by each cook. Foods that are common to various regions include ghee, a clarified butter, dahi, (curd), and dal (lentils). Wheat, in the form of baked or grilled bread, is a staple in northern India, while rice is used in the south. In Kashmir, influences from Persia and Central Asia are strong, while Bengali cooking is similar to that of Bangladesh.
Punjab and Gujarat
Most Indians in the United States come from the western Indian states of Punjab and Gujarat therefore food from those regions is most available. Punjabi food is available in much of the rest of India because after India and Pakistan separated in 1947 millions of Hindus fled the Pakistani portion of the Punjab. Settling in such cities as Mumbai (Bombay), they opened Punjabi restaurants to make a living, introducing that cuisine to other Indians.
Common ingredients:
bread, baked or grilled on a griddle; beans, lentils, vegetables, curd, pickles, curries
Popular dishes:
kebabs, meatballs, biryani (rice and meat); rice or bread pudding
Southern India
In the south, food is non-greasy and usually roasted or steamed. The state of Tamil is distinguished for its heavy use of tamarind, while Kerala is known for its stews.
Common ingredients:
vegetables, rice, curries and other spices
Popular dishes:
rasam (thin soup) usually served with rice, curried vegetables and curd; stews; rice pancakes; steamed rice cakes
