Dining at Indian restaurants in Edison NJ can be confusing for first-timers, especially if you are unfamiliar with Hindi, Urdu, or other Indian languages. Most restaurants add a small description that may or may not give you an idea of what to expect when the meal arrives.
This can be intimidating for many diners who may not want to seem like they don’t know anything, especially at a fancy place. And fine dining is all about having a great time. If you are one of those diners, then here are some common Indian cuisine terms to help you out.
Entrees
Tikka Masala: It’s one of the most commonly served Indian food in Edison because of how delicious and popular it is. Tikka masala consists of small chunks of an ingredient cooked in a sauce with a particular spice blend. The sauce is usually tomato-based with cream or thick yogurt added for richness. The main ingredient could be chicken, paneer (a type of cottage cheese), fish, or other ingredients.
Chhole/Chana Masala: Chhole or chana refers to chickpeas. Chhole is usually larger and lighter while chana is smaller and darker. Chhole/chana masala consists of chickpeas being cooked in a sauce made with ginger, garlic, and onions and spiced with garam masala (a spice blend consisting of various spices).
Biryani: Biryani is another popular dish that can be found at many Indian restaurants in Edison NJ. It’s a rice dish prepared with spiced meat, vegetables or paneer layered between the rice. Yogurt or ghee (clarified butter) may be used for added richness and the dish is slow-cooked in a sealed vessel. There are many popular varieties of biryani like Hyderabadi dum biryani, chicken biryani, lamb biryani, etc.
Bread
Most types of Indian bread are flatbreads. What they are called depends on the way they are cooked and the flour used.
Roti: Roti is an Indian home staple made using whole wheat flour kneaded into a soft dough. The dough is rolled into thin circles and cooked on an Indian skillet called the tava on the stovetop.
Paratha: Paratha refers to a layered flatbread that’s usually pan-fried. It’s usually made with wheat with ghee or oil-smeared between the dough layers when rolling. Stuffed paratha may also be served. It’s prepared by stuffing the filling into a dough ball before rolling it into a flatbread. Aloo paratha refers to potato-stuffed paratha and gobi paratha to cauliflower-stuffed paratha.
Naan: Naan is one of the most popular Indian flatbreads served along with most kinds of Indian food in Edison. Wheat dough is prepared by allowing it to rise with yeast or adding yogurt to the dough. Naan is cooked in an Indian oven called the tandoor.
Drinks
Chai: Chai is the Hindi word for tea. Indian tea is usually prepared with black tea, milk, and water. A variation called the masala chai consists of a blend of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, and ginger.
Lassi: Lassi is a yogurt-based drink made by thinning out the yogurt with milk or water. Sugar may be added to make it sweet or salt for saltiness. Other flavors can be added by using fruits like mango or strawberry.
Desserts
Gulab Jamun: Gulab jamun is one of the most popular Indian sweets that you are likely to find at most Indian restaurants in Edison NJ. It’s prepared using milk solids crushed into powder and mixed with milk to prepare into a smooth dough that can be rolled into smooth balls and deep-fried in a sugary syrup until they absorb the syrup becoming soft and juicy.
Halwa: Halwa can be described as the Indian version of pudding that’s usually made with a variety of flour like chickpea flour, wheat flour, semolina, or root vegetables. It’s usually cooked with sugar, ghee, and milk/water. Gajar ka halwa is a popular variety made using grated carrots. Moong halwa is made with green gram while besan halwa is made with chickpea flour.
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