After a long hard week, a weekend binge is just the thing to sink your teeth. Whether you are chilling with Netflix or priming through Amazon for a quick binge, you need to have something to snack. After all, watching a movie without some yummy buttery popcorn in an insulated food containers seems somehow incomplete, doesn’t it? However, you may get tired of the staple. So, what are some binge-worthy dishes? Let’s find out!
10 Indian Recipes Perfect for Weekend Binge
Indian dishes pack a walloping punch in terms of variety and taste. There’s a desi dish for everyone. With hundreds of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options, there’s always something for everyone. After all, Indian cuisine is all about inclusivity.
And now, without further ado, here are 10 Indian recipes perfect for a weekend binge session:
1. Makhana
Popcorn is the Western cousin of our Indian makhana. These delightful little white balls are known as fox nuts or lotus seeds. Makhanas are packed with nutritious goodness. If you want to binge on healthy snacks, then makhana might just be the thing for you.
There are different ways of preparing makhana. If you are tired of the plain stuff, you can add herbs and spices. Additions like mint, pepper powder, or a combination of spices, can elevate your binge snack to a whole other level.
2. Papad
An Indian thali is incomplete without papad, also called pappadam. Papad is essentially a flat circle of dough seasoned with spices like black jeera (cumin), salt, paprika, etc. it is fried or prepared under dry heat. Ready-to-make papad can be found in stores all over India.
There are many types of this fried snack. You can purchase papad made of prawn, sabu (tapioca pearls), potato, garlic, ragi, rice, and more. Papad is available in different shapes and sizes other than the usual round shape – badminton racquets, alphabets, cannoli-shaped, wheels, etc. Fry or dry-cook yourself some hot papad and watch your favorite shows.
3. Bhujia
Bhujia is a beloved snack among all age groups. It is a favorite for evening snacks. Created in Bikaner, Rajasthan, bhujia is made with besan (gram flour) and moth beans and lightly seasoned with various condiments.
Bhujia can be found in sweetshops or any store. You can eat it as it is. Or you can lightly butter some bread (toasted or untoasted, as you like) and sprinkle some bhujia in between. You can add a dollop of mint chutney and smear it across the buttered side of the bread for added flavor.
4. Nimki
Nimki is a delicious fried snack that goes best with a steaming cup of cardamom tea. It is a handy dough-based snack that can be served to guests who drop in without notice as well. Nimki is a versatile snack. It can be eaten fresh off the hot case or preserved at room temperature in an airtight food containers for months.
These diamond-shaped snacks can be made at home and don’t take a lot of prep work.
5. Kulfi
If you are in the mood for something sweet and cold, the kulfi is a marvelous choice. It is the Indian equivalent of ice cream but many argue that kulfi is the better dessert. It is a rich dessert made with sweetened and flavored milk. Add a sprinkle of saffron and some chopped pistachios. Kulfi truly is the nectar of the gods!
6. Dry Chili Chicken
Chili chicken may originally be a Chinese dish, but a desi twist elevates it to a new level. Cooked with tons of garlic, chicken, spring onion, and soy sauce, chili chicken can be made with or without gravy. As a binge snack, dry chili chicken is better suited for your needs. Add some peppercorn and extra hot chilies for the spice factor and store it in casserole sets. You can eat it as a snack or pair it with some rice or noodles.
7. Mishti Doi
Mishti doi is a staple dessert among Bengalis. It is a curd that is sweetened with brown sugar or date molasses. It is a delicious flavored yogurt loaded with good bacteria that help keep your gut healthy.
For health-conscious folks, mishti doi is a great way of indulging in sinfully gorgeous dessert while keeping your insides healthy.
8. Kela Chips
Kela, or banana, chips, are thinly sliced plantains deep-fried in oil and seasoned with a variety of dressings. Kela chips are considered to be a healthier alternative to potato or corn chips. If you don’t want to indulge in fried foods, you can look for or bake kela chips.
9. Momo
Originating on the rugged mountains of Tibet and Bhutan, momo is a variation of the dumpling or gyoza. A mixture of minced meat and vegetables is packed in a small bag of dough. It is either steamed for a few minutes or pan-fried with hot sauces.
Momos are beloved street food and can be found in many regions in India. It is consumed with hot sauce and soup.
10. Biriyani
Biriyani is a superb dish of rice and meat that is a relic of our erstwhile Mughal empire. Each region in India has its take on this regal meal. Meant to sate royal taste buds, the proud biriyani has its distinct place in the history of food.
Biriyani is made with a variety of accompaniments — goat meat, chicken, vegetables, egg, etc. Although primarily meant to be eaten as a non-vegetarian dish, it can be experimented with to suit different palates. A hot box of biriyani with some freshly cut salad, chilies, and cool chaas is absolute heaven!
Conclusion
If you are looking for recipes you can quickly make in a casserole or a hot box, you can try some out from the above list. Or maybe you are looking for a nutritious option of which there are more than enough.
Western cuisine is great, but we Indians have an innate relationship with desi khana. Indian dishes are full of spices, tang, and an extra helping of zesty masala that makes all the difference in the world.