Top 15 Indian Appetizers for Parties That You Must not Miss at Any Cost

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Chef at UT

Are you simply in awe of Indian appetizers?

Then, this blog is a must read for you!

Here, we have listed the top 15 Indian appetizers for parties that you mustn’t refrain yourself from eating.

Vegetarian Appetizers

- - - Tikki Trio – This is one of the best vegetarian starters that you will ever find in any Indian restaurant in Colorado Springs. These cutlets of beets, potatoes, and spinach stuffed with cheese will mesmerize you the moment it will touch your taste buds.

Samosa – Samosas are patties stuffed with potatoes, peas, and spices. The savory filling of samosas is cherished by food lovers across all age groups. Stuffed with chickpea chat, Samosas never fail to excite the taste buds.

Chili Paneer Dry – Chili Paneer is one of the best Indian foods that you could ever taste! This spice, tangy preparation of cottage cheese is loved by adults and children alike. Make sure not to miss this wonderful item while in a Colorado Springs fine dining restaurant.

Hariyali Paneer Tikka – This is yet another preparation of cottage cheese and one of the best Indian appetizers for parties. The perfect blend of mint, coriander, and spices make this dish a must-try for every food lover.

- Vegetable Kabab –These Kababs are minced vegetables with ginger, garlic & green chilies. No party is ever complete without vegetable kababs on the platter. Be it grilled or roasted; they’ll surely enthrall you!

- Tandoori Phool – Well, if you want to taste an authentic vegetarian appetizer, you must try ‘Tandoori Phool’. The Florets of cauliflower & broccoli spiced with tandoori masala will surely make you eat more and more.

Dahi Puri Chaat – Dahi Puri Chat consist of crispy mini shells topped with yogurt. If you are in love with Indian, then you simply can’t afford to miss Dahi Puri Chaat. The spectrum of flavors and textures of this popular Indian dish make it one of the best Indian appetizers for parties. As the best Indian restaurant in Colorado Springs, we recommend it to try it at least once.

Non-Vegetarian Appetizers

Chicken Reshmi Kabab – Chicken Reshmi Kabab a must-try if you are a hardcore non-veg lover. The boneless pieces of chicken marinated in fresh cream and yogurt with fragrant spices will instantly make you fall in love with this amazing dish.

- Tandoori Chicken – A whole marinated chicken cooked in tandoor is so tempting that it will definitely excite your taste buds. This Mughlai chicken recipe is an amazing appetizer and is sure to leave you wanting for more and more.

- Chicken Tikka – The name itself is enough to excite your taste buds. The chunks of chicken marinated in spices and yogurt and baked in a tandoor oven will surely make you fall in love with this appetizer over and over again.

- Chili Chicken – Well, one of the most common items in Indian Restaurant Colorado Springs, you simply cannot afford to miss it! Small to medium sized pieces of chicken are sautéed in chili sauce with peppers, onion & ginger. We bet, you will cherish the taste forever!

- Lasuni Seekh Kebab – Kabab lover? Well, then you must try Lasuni Seekh Kebab. They are minced lamb, flavored with garlic and rolled on skewers. The perfect blend of spices and tenderness of lamb is a great choice for all food lovers.

- Adraki Lamb Chop – This is yet another mouth-watering preparation of lamb. The shreds of lamb are marinated with ginger, cardamom, coriander & yogurt, and served hot. Make sure not to miss this savoring dish, if eating lambs excites your taste buds.

- Masala Calamari – If you are in awe of seafood, then you must not forget to include Masala Calamari in your bucket list. The marinated squid deep fried and tossed in spicy masala are bound to give you with immense joy and pleasure.

- Tandoori Salmon – Salmon fish spiced with special urban tandoori masala is another seafood, that will excite your taste buds. Try it from the best Indian restaurant in Colorado Springs, and we bet you will cherish it for the rest of your lifetime.

Well, here was our list of top 15 Indian Appetizers for parties. Let us know in the comment section if you want to add more. Also, let us know your favorite pick.

8 Delectable Lowest Calorie Indian Food

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Chef at UT

When we think about Indian food, something very oily, spicy and creamy comes to our mind. Indian cuisine uses ghee, oil, butter, spices, cream, and cheese in large quantities which contributes to obesity and a host of health problems in many people.

People all over the world generally associate Indian food with high calories, but often they forget there are many dishes which contain fewer amounts of calories to equal weight loss.

Achieving fitness is all about combining exercise and nutrition into the lifestyle. Here are some Indian foods that are both delectable as well as healthy.

Chicken Curry

Chicken curry is a popular spicy dish that everybody loves to prepare in their kitchen. The delicacy is even served at an Indian restaurant in Colorado Springs. To prepare it at home, you need chopped boneless and skinless chicken breast pieces, garlic, onions, cloves, butter, grind coriander, dried mint. If you are a fitness freak, then you can prepare a healthy version of the dish by using fewer amounts of spices and oil and gorge on it.

Palak Paneer

If you want to enjoy the goodness of iron-rich spinach and dairy product such as paneer in a single dish, then Palak paneer is a good option. Spinach is used in the form of paste for this recipe. For weight watchers, it is healthy and mouthwatering that can be eaten as a side dish with white rice.

Shrimp in Coconut Milk

It is a traditional and heartwarming recipe. The main ingredients of the recipe include shrimp, coconut milk, lime juice, onion, garlic clove, green chili, coriander, and salt. It tastes sweet and savory and you can get a healthy customized version of the recipe with less oil and spices at the best restaurant in Colorado Springs.

Sprout Salad

Containing only 95 calories, sprout salad is nourishing and delicious. You should not skip it if you are looking for a low-calorie Indian recipe. Rich in proteins, fiber, and antioxidants filling your plate with sprout salad is easy. You need tomatoes, fenugreek leaves, radish, nuts, beans, grains, and coriander that are easily available at grocery stores. Other ingredients required are onions, tomatoes, potatoes, cilantro leaves, aromatic spices, cucumber, and lemon juice. You can try this dish at home or eat it in a posh Indian restaurant in Colorado Springs.

Fish Tikka Masala

One of the healthiest ways to eat fish is preparing fish tikka masala. You can use a large and fresh fish like that of Salmon. Cooked in an oven, the recipe tastes smoky and has a distinctive grilled flavor. The best thing about the dish is that it requires less oil and ingredients.

Cucumber Raita

Cucumber is known for its hydrating and cooling properties and contains fewer amounts of calories. It is a rich source of fiber, water, and nutrients that triggers weight-loss naturally. For making cucumber raita at home, you need yogurt, mild spices, veggies, and fruits of your choice. It is mainly a side dish and people who give fitness their topmost priority, simply love it.

Oats Idli

Oats Idli is puffy and made from a fermented batter. It is low in calories and packed with proteins and fiber. If you try oats idli at a famous Colorado Springs fine dining restaurant, you can have an amazing dining experience. It will serve the dish by combining health and taste together.

Dhokla

Dholka is a global rage and the one that is made in a microwave is low in calories. It is the perfect weight-loss snack that you can easily prepare at home by using gram flour, semolina, curd, curry leaves, and green chili. The dish has become popular in Indian Cuisines Colorado Springs where both the Indian and American populace wants to get a taste of it.

Fitness begins with developing healthy eating habits and focusing on the diet. Try these superb low-calorie Indian foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and get back into your shape.

15 Interesting Facts about Indian Spices

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Chef at UT

India is known as ‘the Land of Spices’. India produces almost all known types of spices. Check out these 15 cool facts about Indian Spices!

Black Pepper was immensely valuable in the 4th century BC. It was known as ‘black gold’.

2. It is believed that Vasco de Gama discovered India in 1492. He encountered pirates during spice importation from India to Portugal. This was the time when spices were more valuable than gold.

3. Over 5000 years ago, salt was produced in India. Once salt was paid as salary to Roman soldiers. This gave birth to term such as ‘worth his salt’.

4. Americans used to deal with Indian farmers directly for spices in the 18th century.

5. Are you a vitamin C deficient? Include Red Peppers in your diet. It contains a high amount of vitamin C, even more than lemon. It is also rich in antioxidants.

6. Turmeric is an important ingredient of Indian cuisine. Apart from steamed rice, almost all the Indian dishes contain turmeric. This humble spice is said to cure Alzheimer’s disease.

7. Fenugreek increases the lactation amount in nursing mothers. But it also changes urine and sweat smell making them smell like maple syrup!

8. Cardamom is another popular spice used in Indian cuisine. From biryani to chai, Indians love it in everything for its beautiful sweet smell and flavor. However, Scandinavians also love this spice in their mulled wine.

9. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. Kashmir produces the highest amount of saffron. Its honey-like aroma makes it a popular ingredient of desserts and special Indian dishes like biryani. The depth of its color defines the purity of saffron.

10. Cinnamon is a popular ingredient in Indian and Western cuisines. Westerners love it for its woody aroma and include it in cakes and desserts. It has various health benefits, such as providing immunity against cancer and helping lower blood pressure. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala produce the highest amount of this spice.

11. Cumin is another famous Indian spice and belongs to the parsley family. The taste and aroma of cumin make it a popular ingredient of Indian cuisine.

12. Hing or Asafoetida is another popular Indian spice that also belongs to the parsley family. It grows in Punjab and Kashmir. Its anti-flatulence properties make it a popular ingredient of kachori and paratha.

13. Bengali cuisine is incomplete without Nigella seeds. Its medicinal properties make it an important part of dal and curries.

14. Coriander is a common Indian spice that too belongs to the parsley family. Its sweet, tangy taste enhances the flavor of a dish.

15. Nutmeg or Jaiphal is the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree. Both the seed and the seed-covering are used in several Indian cuisines. Its strong taste and aroma make it a popular ingredient of Indian sweets and the Mughlai dishes.

Indian cuisine is adored all over the world, the main reason being its unique taste and flavor owing to the spices used. Each dish owes its taste and flavor to the definitive spice used in making it. Relish these irresistible dishes and discover more about them!

What Makes Tandoori Chicken So Healthy?

Posted on March 14, 2019June 11, 2023 by Chef at UT

Tandoori Chicken is irresistible for its taste and smoky flavor. At some point in our lives, we are all guilty of ordering tandoori chicken with bread when we are craving for something tasty. But is it so unhealthy that we should feel guilty?

Let’s take a look at the answer:

Tandoori Chicken is a healthy dish thanks to its lean meat amount and the cooking technique. It was traditionally cooked in the clay tandoor. Now the question arises what’s tandoor?

Tandoor is a type of oven that can be built from clay or metal. Wood or charcoal fire generates the heat within the tandoor. Indians prefer clay tandoor to prepare several dishes. The temperature of tandoor can rise up to 9000 F.

You can also prepare Tandoori Chicken on grills too – those that are propane gas grill or charcoal grill. The grilling method makes tandoori chicken healthy as it doesn’t require much oil and retains the proteins.

The chicken breast is marinated with yogurt before grilling. Yogurt contains healthy nutrients, such as zinc, potassium and vitamin B12. It is also responsible for giving the dish its customary smoky flavor.

Benefits of Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken is a low fat and low-calorie dish. Chicken breast contains lean protein. It is highly recommended for anyone that is conscious about maintaining good health and body weight.

Promotes Brain Health

Tandoori Chicken minimizes the intake of fats and carbs. The herbs that are added to Tandoori Chicken as seasoning increases the nutrient value of the dish. It is believed that Tandoori Chicken is good for your brain health!

Chicken is known to increase the serotonin level that leads to reduced stress level and fewer mood swings. Tandoori Chicken reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Chicken contains vitamin B5, B3, B6 and other nutrients.

However, it’s better to exclude naan or bread with chicken. Steamed or grilled vegetables and whole grain flat breads or rotis add the best nutrients to your meal.

Promotes Metabolism

Chicken is rich in selenium that helps in burning calories faster. Selenium improves the metabolic rate of the body.

Food coloring should be excluded in Tandoori Chicken. Tandoori Chicken receives its color from its spices.
You can make Tandoori Chicken a part of your regular diet but of course in moderation. If you want to include chicken in your daily diet as a protein source then surely Tandoori Chicken is the best tasty choice.

Tandoori Chicken is obviously a great dish that is both healthy and tasty. Many popular celebs have included it in their healthy diet chart. Just grab a tandoor and prepare your favorite dish or order one right away.

What is Colorado Lamb? Everything That You Wanted To Know

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Chef at UT

The Colorado Lamb has gained such immense popularity that it has become a much sought-after culinary delight even beyond the confines of the state, across the country and also in some other parts of the world!

Origin of Colorado Meat

As the name suggests, this gastronomical feast originated in Colorado where the lambs are specially bred for their meat. In fact, ranch owners and local authorities have worked together to raise an awareness among restaurateurs about the produce and its quality. While most lambs across the globe are known to be bred for their wool, in Colorado, the species are grown with the objective of getting premier quality meat.

Specialty of Colorado Meat

Immaterial of the recipe followed to cook it, the authentic Colorado Lamb stands out with its sheer quality. It is the texture and the flavor of the meat of these lambs that makes the dish outstanding. The quality of the meat is achieved from the way that the sheep are reared. The sheep are taken to graze on the local grass of the Yampa Valley and are tend to by traditional shepherds from the sheep-herding regions that run along. Many of these shepherds are the traditional keepers from Peru, Chile, Mexico, Basque and the natives from the region between France and Spain.

There are different breeds that are reared in the Colorado ranches. While some breed at different times of the year, some other at any time of the year and yet others only once a year. The sheep are led up the mountains where they nibble on the native brome grass, wild carrots, berries, knapweed and larkspur. The leisurely and unhurried way of pasturing ensures proper growth of the lamb giving it superior meat. They are also fed with corn as a last touch to translate into good quality meat. The sheep are slaughtered young when they are between 6 to 11 months old for the exquisite meat.

Special meat cuts

The cut of the meat is as important as its texture. Popular cuts of the lamb are steaks, chops, roasts, ground meat and stewing cuts. The rib and loin chops are the most expensive and delicacies that food connoisseurs swear by. Then there are the boneless crosscut slices of the loin called the noisettes or medallions. These when on the menu are sure to weigh heavily on your wallet. The Denver Ribs or the lamb spareribs are slow-smoked much like the pork counterpart. The lamb leg can be roasted, grilled or butterflied with or without the bone in it.

Not all groceries in Colorado selling the meat have cuts that add to the start rating of the delicacy. Specialized butchers in the Denver region cut them out to specification giving the famous rib pieces. Specialty meat stores across the state however are sure to have these fine pieces ready.

Seasoning the premium meat

The Colorado Lamb is usually seasoned with mint, lemon, basil, cumin, rosemary and oregano to complement the flavor of the meat. In fact, the readily available lamb seasoning consists of all of these along with black pepper, celery, sweet paprika, onion, garlic, ginger and spearmint. However, specialist chefs at each restaurant are sure to give the meat their signature taste of seasoning that helps bring out the best taste of the meat.

What is Veg Jalfrezi?

Posted on November 22, 2018December 15, 2023 by Chef at UT

The name ‘veg jalfrezi’ is self-explanatory declaring it to be a vegetarian dish. But it also has its non-vegetarian variations that can be prepared with chicken, mutton or fish. Jalfrezi has won over the hearts of the Indians and the foodies all over the world since its creation.

Different People, Different Taste

Every Indian restaurant in London has its own variation and cooks it differently with different ingredients. Even, Jamie Oliver has included a veg jalfrezi recipe made of beans in his Jamie’s Food Revolution cookbook. Jamie Oliver and other British chefs too have included its veg and non-veg versions in their recipe books. Renowned British-Asian chef, Atul Kocchar has a duck version in his recipe book Atul’s Curries of the World. In his book, he has discussed the misconception some Brits have about Jalfrezi. Jalfrezi is commonly misunderstood as the level of heat in which the curry is cooked. Another famous chef, Madhur Jaffrey has a beef version of it in her cookbook At Home with Madhur Jaffrey: Simple, Delectable Dishes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Origin of Jalfrezi

Jhalfrezi is a curry that originated in British India and was popularised throughout the country and in the other parts of the world by the famous Indian and British Chefs. The dish is prepared with the main ingredient like paneer, meat, fish or veggies and stir-fried over high heat with veggies and finally served in a spicy, thick sauce that contains chilies and onions. Other common ingredients are tomatoes and bell peppers.

Ingredients of Veg Jalfrezi

In India, Jalfrezi is prepared with a variety of spices and vegetables. The main ingredients of Veg Jalfrezi are paneer, green peas, tomato, carrot, cauliflower, garam masala, capsicum, chilly, vinegar, sugar, fresh cream, ghee or oil, garlic, tomato puree, cumin seeds, ginger, turmeric, and salt.

Some Facts about Jalfrezi

A 2011 survey reports ‘Jalfrezi’ as the most popular Indian dish in the UK and other South Asian restaurants.
Jalfrezi recipe appeared in British Indian cookbooks as an easy way of using up the leftovers by deep frying them with onion and chili.

The word originated from colloquial Bengali and Persian words. Jal is a Bengali word that means ‘spicy’ and porhezi is a Persian word that means ‘suitable for diet’.

Difference between Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala

Posted on November 22, 2018June 11, 2023 by Chef at UT

Each Indian dish has its unique taste, smell, flavor, and color. It is a real tough game when we have to differentiate between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala. These two dishes look the same with their orange tinge. It is hard to pinpoint any difference between these two dishes other than the cooking procedure.

Butter Chicken

Origin

Butter Chicken or murgh makhana is originally an Indian dish, thanks to the creativity of three Indians, Kundan Lal Gujral, Thakur Dass, and Kundan Lal Jaggi.

These Punjabi Hindu restaurateurs were the founders of the famous Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi in 1948. They came up with the idea of butter chicken to save the cooked chicken from drying out.

What are the Ingredients of Butter Chicken?

Butter chicken is juicy and soft. Small chicken pieces are marinated in ginger, garlic, and other spices and are cooked until the tomato based creamy sauce turns into spicy gravy.

Common Ingredients

Chicken, cream, yogurt, tomato paste, onion, ginger, garlic, cumin, pepper, butter, turmeric, and garam masala.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Origin

In the 1960s most of the Indian restaurants of Britain were operated by Bangladeshi chefs who came up with the idea of Chicken Tikka Masala.

Some other source reports that Chicken Tikka Masala originated in an Indian restaurant of Glasgow. The story goes Ali Ahmed Aslam, a Pakistani chef came up with the idea of Chicken Tikka Masala by preparing a sauce from spices, cream, and yogurt.

It is considered one of the most popular non-vegetarian dishes in the UK.

What are the Ingredients of Chicken Tikka Masala?

This non-vegetarian dish is prepared almost just like butter chicken. This dish is less creamy and more intensified with tomato sauce.

Common Ingredients

Chicken, cream, yogurt, tomato paste, onion, ginger, garlic, chili pepper, and garam masala.

The main difference between these two mouth-watering dishes is butter chicken has lesser tomato intensity and chicken tikka masala is less creamy than butter chicken.

Tikka masala is a dry dish that is cooked in the tandoor while butter masala is cooked in a pan over a fire.

Be it butter chicken or chicken tikka masala, enjoy your dish with rice, nun or roti and savor its delectable taste.

5 Most Popular Indian Foods in the World

Posted on November 22, 2018January 12, 2023 by Chef at UT

Indians are passionate about cooking. Their passion for cooking gave birth to some of the world-famous Indian chefs, such as Vikas Khanna, Madhur Jaffrey, Sanjeev Kapoor, and others.

Indian dishes have their unique aromas and flavors. Spices like garam masala, panch phoron, dhansak masala, ajwain, cloves, cardamom, dhania, dalchini and tamarind make the dishes unique.

Try these most popular extra-ordinarily tasty Indian dishes that have earned fame world-wide:

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular Indian dishes that originated in Britain. Small pieces of chicken breast are marinated in yogurt and spices and cooked in a tandoor oven and finally are mixed with a special sauce. The sauce is prepared with tomato, coconut milk, cream and coriander mixture. It is one of the most popular Indian dishes thanks to its mouth-watering taste.

Biryani

Biriyani was originally invented in Persia and the Mughals popularised it in India. Eventually, it became one of the most popular dishes in India. This non-vegetarian dish is prepared with rice, meat/fish/egg, and different spices. It has numerous variations and the ingredients vary a lot. Navratan Biryani can blow your mind. It’s prepared with a variety of fruits and sweet ingredients. Some prefer biryani with raita, others with curry.

Tandoori Chicken

This non-vegetarian dish is popular worldwide. The raw chicken is marinated in a variety of spices and finally, the chicken pieces are grilled in tandoor. Its variations, such as Chirga, Murgh Kabab Seekhi or Murghi Bhogar are equally popular among food lovers.

Shahi Paneer

Shahi Paneer is prepared with cottage cheese and creamy gravy that contains tomatoes, cream, herbs or spices. It tastes best with roti, naan or any other bread.

Pakora

Now let’s talk about a snack that’s also popular in India and other parts of the world. Pakora is made with veggies, fish, egg or meat and besan or gram flour. Sauce or green chutney enhances the taste. You can use several veggies to prepare your pakora.

Indian cuisine is unique in its own way and adored globally. We can’t end the list of popular Indian dishes that are savored by people all around the world. These 5 dishes are among the most popular but you can also find numerous fans of the other vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian dishes.