Flavours of India

We associate food with its particular fragrance and there is a special aroma in a mix of finely chopped fresh mint, coriander, crunchy green chillies, onions & tomatoes, sprinkled with fresh lime juice and black salt, which reminds me of the sweet, tangy, spicy & flavorful Chaats (savoury snack) we devoured on the streets, in India as kids. My trip to India recently re-awakened my love for Indian food all thanks to L who took me on a journey full of mouth-watering Indian street food, meals & drinks! The very mention of Chaat brings a twinkle in her eyes, L was a constant companion through all my travels in India and is a great cook! I’ve had some of the most delicious chaats, snacks, chutneys, achaars (pickles), papads, sweets and meals in India thanks to her. Thanks L, for showing me the taste of real India! 🙂

Some of my favourite Indian street food from my travels…

Indian street food : Chaat

Alu Tikki and Papdi Chaat, Chandini Chowk, Delhi

Sweet potato Chaat on the roadside, Delhi

Sprouted dal Chaat

Snacks and savouries at a Chaat shop in Delhi

Vegetable, onion & stuffed chilli Pakoras in Pushkar, Rajasthan

Fresh Samosas early morning with tea at Pushkar

Chole Bhature from Chache di Hatti at North Campus, Delhi University (one of the best in Delhi)

Fried Chicken and kebabs at Chandini Chowk, Old Delhi

Seekh Kebabs at Chittaranjan Park Market, Delhi

Dal Baati ( a Rajasthani Meal) & Vegetarian Thali (Meals)

Making Chappati/ Roti (Flat Indian Bread )

Fresh Seafood (Garlic Calamari, Crumb fried Mussels and Fried fish) in Goa

Nan Khatai ( Indian short bread cookies) on the road at Chandini Chowk

Aam papad (dried Mango pulp cakes) on the street

Indian sweets : (from left) Milk Peda, Motichoor Laddu, Jalebi in sugar syrup and Gud Jalebi ( in Jaggery) in Varanasi

Frying Mal Pua and Shakkar Para at Varanasi

Indian dessert: Kulfi Falooda Rabri in Chandini Chowk, Delhi

Sugar cane juice and Kala khatta

And finally my elixir : Chai in a Kullad ( Tea in an earthen cup)

To enjoy this food even more watch this amazing video on Indian food – ‘A day in India‘ by The Perennial Plate. I am a foodie but more than cooking I like eating and taking pictures of food. One of my favorites in Food photography is Laxmi’s blog – Pure Vege, which has some simple yet stunning pictures and recipes. Her photography is timeless and ethereal almost heavenly!

Cheers!