How foreign dishes can be incorporated with Indian ingredients
Back in 1904, Bipradas Mukhopadhyay published Mistanna Pak, a book delighting gastronomes with traditional Bengali desserts rubbing shoulders with elite international ones. One standout was cheesecake, which could be prepared using native ingredients instead of Western ones. If not introduced, the book surely encouraged fusion-style cooking. On that note, let us explore Indianized versions of foreign foods for easy and economical home preparation.
Indian inspired tacos
Traditional tacos contain seasoned ground beef as the main protein, topped with ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, cilantro, and sour cream for a creamy element. You may use spiced chicken (or paneer) as the main protein, infused with spices like garam masala, cumin, and coriander to make Indian-inspired tacos. You can also use paratha, pita bread, or corn flatbreads in place of tortillas.
Indianize the classic New York-style cheesecake
Create an Indianized version of cheesecake by using paneer, hung curd, saffron, and cardamom instead of cream cheese, sour cream, and vanilla. Opt for a ground digestive biscuit crust and garnish with chopped pistachios and saffron strands. Paneer cheesecake might have a firmer texture, but it won't disappoint. Furthermore, these ingredients are readily available, unlike scarce and costly cream cheese and sour cream.
Adopt masala macaroni instead of Mac 'n cheese
Indians enjoy the taste of desi masala on all things savory. While macaroni is an Italian dish, masala macaroni replaces traditional and authentic Italian herbs, spices, sauces, and seasonings with those common in India. For instance, ketchup and hot sauce may be used in place of tomato puree sauce, and cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric, and garam masala instead of oregano and chili flakes.
Naanza, a marriage of the mass favorite naan and pizza
Say hello to the desi version of pizza, called naanza. While the Italian original has dough made of yeast, water, and flour, naanza skips yeast and is brushed with butter and Indian spices and garlic, and ginger. Also, pizza is cooked in an oven, whereas a naanza requires a tandoor. The latter has emerged as the goodness of two cuisines in one dish.
Indianize cupcakes with flavors like kesar pista and gulab jamun
Cupcakes were introduced to the world way back in 1796 in the United States of America and ever since that, this popular dessert has seen several variations in its filling and frosting. Its Indianized versions include kesar pista cupcakes, eggless burfi cupcakes, gulab jamun cupcakes, mawa cupcakes, and so many more. Whipped cream is replaced with Indian fudge made of ghee and sugar.
