Catering is a very convenient option for removing the added stress that comes with food preparation, serving, and of course, the dreaded clean-up. When you are hosting a group, take one thing off of your to-do list by choosing to cater to Indian food. With so many delectable menu items to choose from, it will be a snap to delight your hungry guest. Find some great tips and the tastiest and most popular Indian dishes below.

Choosing a Restaurant

If your event is for someone who loves Indian food going with their favorite restaurant is a no-brainer. But if you are new to town or do not have a local spot in your area, it can get a bit trickier. Talk with co-workers and neighbors to find out their top picks and recommendations.

Once you have narrowed down your choices, make sure to check out any social media platforms they are on and Google reviews to see what customers have to say about their food and services. Try a to-go or delivery order and taste some of the menu items.

Next, visit their website and look over the catering section. Take into account whether or not you can customize your menu with the Indian dishes of your choice. Finally, reach out to the restaurant manager to check on availability and ask any additional questions you may have.

Selecting Your Menu

When you cater Indian food, consider the following questions.

1. Are you serving appetizers?
2. How many entrees do you need?
3. Will you offer any dessert?

If you choose to serve appetizers, some popular Indian dishes are:

• Samosa Chat – This chickpea curry has onions, tomatoes, seasoned yogurt, mint sauce, and tamarind, all topped off with crunchy samosas. A tasty choice for any special occasion!
• Vegetable Pakora – Ramp up your guest’s appetites with these little veggie fritters packed with flavor served with yummy dipping sauces.
• Samosas – You can never go wrong with an order of samosas. They are a perfect handheld snack seasoned with just the right amount of spice and deep-fried for lovely crispy bites.

Ask about serving sizes for your appetizer. For instance, do the Samosas feed up to a certain amount of people, or do you get so many pieces per tray? When in doubt, follow up with the restaurant to ensure your order meets expectations.

The entrees are the star of the meal. Deciding on which and how many you will serve depends on your personal taste, all the while keeping the preferences of your guests in mind when choosing the final menu. If you need some inspiration, take a peek at the following Indian food:

• Biryani – Any meal is more memorable with the spicy goodness of a Biryani. In most cases, you can choose a protein, goat, chicken, etc., or cater to the vegetarians in your life by selecting a veg option.
• Chicken Tikka – Served straight from the Tandoor, who can pass up some delicious Chicken Tikka? 
• Chana Masala – Treat your hungry friends or co-workers to this chickpea dish with authentic herbs and spices, tomatoes, onions, ginger, and garlic.

After you pick the best entrees for your gathering, consider adding a tray or two of buttered or garlic naan as a tasty accompaniment.

Ask your caterer how the entrees will be served and whether or not they offer table linens, silverware, dishes, and glassware.

Now we are on to the sweet grand finale of the meal, desserts. For some, this last course is the finest of the meal. Here is a couple that won’t disappoint:

• Gulab Jamun – This genuine Indian dish has soft deep-fried cheese balls surrounded by flavored syrup that just might have guests asking for seconds!
• Kheer – For those that enjoy a great rice pudding, this dessert has a Basmati rice pudding with raisins and almonds to add to the texture and flavor.

The final step when catering Indian food is deciding to order a delicious lassi, or perhaps your restaurant serves a special tea that would suit your event better. This job probably calls for a taste test just to make sure which option you like best!

A superb Indian food meal is a sure way to delight your guests and make life a little bit easier to handle with all the other hosting responsibilities. Cheers to a great event and happy eating!

Indian Delight serves up the best Indian food in Cleveland. We invite you to dine in, takeout, or try convenient delivery. Visit our website to view our menu and learn about our catering services. Contact us with any concerns and questions or for more information today!

With all the fantastic options, let’s look at which Indian dishes are the most popular that you might want to try your next evening out.

Biryani –

Biryani recipes come in a variety of preparations. Different meats such as lamb, chicken, beef, or even goat can be incorporated into this Indian dish. Vegetarians can also count on this staple by choosing one made with ingredients like carrots, cauliflower, potatoes, and peas. 

The hallmark of Biryani has to be the spicy blends and basmati rice. What makes it so remarkable is its universal appeal. Serve it on any special occasion or order an average Thursday for a truly exceptional meal.

Fun Fact – Swiggy, a well-known food delivery service in India, reported that in 2021 Chicken Biryani was the most ordered meal!

Samosas –

As any Indian food lover can attest, Samosas are undeniably tasty. Their iconic triangle shape and crisp exterior are just about irresistible.

Our favorite recipe is a taste sensation of spices, potatoes, and peas. Samosas make the perfect appetizer for your meal or snack at any time of the day.

Interestingly Samosas are also known by a couple of different names. Here are just a few:

• Samsa
• Samuza
• Sambosa
• Singada

Butter Chicken –

Tender chicken, herbs & seasonings, tomato, onion, and garlic come together in one of the most popular Indian dishes in the world – Butter Chicken.

Talented home cooks and restaurant chefs alike know that serving this dish leaves friends, family, and customers with full bellies and complete satisfaction.

The next time you eat Butter Chicken, keep these facts in mind:

• Butter Chicken is traditionally prepared in a clay oven known as a tandoor.
• Compared to some other Indian dishes, Butter Chicken is relatively young. It was first made in the nineteen-fifties.
• Its country of origin is Delhi, in North India.
• Butter Chicken is also known as Murgh Makhani.

Rogan Josh –

For an authentic taste of Indian cuisine, look no further than Rogan Josh. Juicy lamb, fresh garlic, spicy ginger, and onion give this aromatic curry true zest.

Order a side of rice, Naan, or Tandoori Roti to make this a fantastic lunch or dinner. 

Here is the answer if you have ever wondered how Rogan Josh got its name. First, this Indian food can also be spelled, Roghan Josh. Roghan is oil in Persian, and Josh means to heat or boil.

Chicken Tikka Masala –

The key to any delicious Chicken Tikka Masala begins before cooking. This Indian cuisine recipe is most commonly marinated in yogurt and a blend of rich spices to make it tender and flavorful.

Every restaurant recipe may vary to some extent, but this curry is famously good wherever it is served.

Chicken Tikka Masala is a global phenomenon for sure, but no one enjoys it more than the British. Some even claim that it was first made in Glasgow, Scotland, but this is now mostly dispelled.

Final Thoughts –

We hope you enjoyed learning more facts about some of the famous Indian food served at kitchen tables and restaurant booths near and far. These tasty dishes are sure to be devoured at your next family function, work event, or quiet evening.

Stay tuned for more yummy articles, facts, and tips on Indian food!

Indian Delight serves up the best Indian dishes in Cleveland, Ohio. Visit our website, www.idcleveland.com, to browse our menu or reserve a table today. 

Do you have a special event coming up? Don’t forget to check out our Catering Services!

With the availability of home delivery services and curbside pickup, many of us are dining out more than ever. 

It is easy to stick with the go-to eateries in the area. But, it can get so dull eating the same thing every week or so. Situations like these create the perfect opportunity for a culinary adventure.

Enter the flavorful world of Indian food. 

Some may be concerned that Indian dishes are too spicy. If this is a worry, many restaurants let you choose the spice level of your order. And yes, some are fiery hot. But there are also mildly spiced menu items. 

What about those who don’t eat meat or are looking to cut back? Indian restaurants often have vegetarian and even vegan dishes.

Are you ready to learn more? Let’s explore some tasty restaurant Indian dishes!

Chicken Tikka Masala

No one seems to agree on who created this dish or how. But almost everyone that has tried Chicken Tikka Masala spread the word about its delicious flavor 

Now it is true that the recipe for this Indian dish does vary. Most prepare it with boneless chicken, a blend of spices, and a tomato-based sauce. 

Masala refers to the spices used in chicken tikka masala. A few common ingredients are:

• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Coriander

People the world over enjoy serving and eating this Indian food. Americans and the Brits especially! That’s why this Indian dish is at the top of our list.

Rogan Josh

Lamb is a protein not commonly found in American restaurants. If you are a fan or interested in trying it for the first time, ask for Rogan Josh.

While tender pieces of lamb and heat are the stars of this Indian dish, the aromatic spices are enticing. The cardamom, cloves, and garlic add to the flavorful taste.

TasteAtlas describes how Rogan Josh got its name:

“The name of the dish is derived from two words: rogan, meaning clarified butter or oil, and josh, referring to passion or heat.”

Butter Chicken 

Comparatively, Butter Chicken is the youngest Indian food on our list. A restaurant owner in India created it and added it to the menu. Needless to say, it became a big hit.

For those who prefer a mild lunch or dinner, give Butter Chicken a try! Of course, butter is a vital ingredient. Other notable ingredients are tomato gravy and an array of delicious spices that complete this amazing Indian dish.

Shish Kabob

Indian restaurants throughout the world are serving up fresh and tasty shish kabobs. 

Proteins of beef, chicken, and lamb are top choices. Chefs chop the protein into bite-size pieces and skewer them with fresh onion, peppers, and juicy tomatoes.

This menu item might be an ideal choice for younger children or picky eaters. Order a side of rice, garlic naan, or a garden salad to enhance this meal.

Vegetable Malai Kofta

One ingredient that pops up all the time in Indian cuisine is paneer. For those unfamiliar with Indian food, paneer is simply a cheese from India made with fruit or sometimes vegetable acid.

Now onto the yummy dish of Vegetable Malai Kofta. This dish incorporates paneer and commonly potatoes. The chefs combine these ingredients with choice spices, form them into ball-shaped dumplings, and then deep fry.

Next, they add the dumplings to assorted vegetables in a mild creamy sauce known as malai. Add Vegetable Malai kofta to your food bucket list today!

Peas Pulao

We can almost smell it now basmati rice, garlic, ghee, and bright green peas. What’s not to like about Peas Pulao?

Another scrumptious Indian food vegetarian option. Great weekly options for lunch at work, dinner at home, or out on the town.

Keep this in mind for meatless Mondays.

Jalfrezi 

Jalfrezi or Jalpharezi is a curry dish from Bengal. Special note – this dish is known to be spelled quite a few different ways.

Indian restaurants serve Jalfrezi with a protein of their choice. But, the thick curry sauce is what this meal is all about. Green chilies, peppers, and onions bring the sauce to life. Add some curry to your food routine by ordering Jalfrezi!

Palak Paneer

Spinach and paneer come together in delicious harmony with the Indian food Palak Paneer. 

Adding to the bright, rich taste are again the spices of India. Palak Paneer pairs well with the Indian bread Roti and Naan.

Dal Tadka

Treat yourself to the authentic Indian flavors of Dal Tadka. Spicy cumin combines with succulent lentils for a taste sensation.

Make your meal even better by combing Samosas as a starter or Gulab Jamun for dessert.

Salmon Curry

We didn’t want to leave out the seafood lovers on our list. Indian food incorporates all types of fish in its cuisine.

If you are craving a seafood dish, how about ordering Salmon Curry?

Some recipes call for the fresh addition of tomatoes and herbs. Ask your waiter how their restaurant prepares this specific curry dish.

The rich flavors of India are readily available to try and enjoy. Explore your neighborhood to find the best menus in town.

As you can see, Indian food has meals to please many palates. Investigate your local restaurants to find new options to delight your friends and family!

We hope we inspire you to branch out with these fabulous Indian dishes and discover even more. Happy eating!

Are you looking for a fantastic Indian restaurant in the Cleveland area? We invite you to try Indian Delight. Browse our menu for all the dishes mentioned above and so much more! Dine-in with us, takeout, or use our convenient delivery service partners. Visit www.idcleveland.com for more information today!

Tandoori –

The protein of choice for many tandoori lovers is chicken. Tandoori chicken is from the Punjab area and first appeared in the nineteen forties. Twenty years later, American restaurants began serving this famous dish across the land. Tandoori begins in a yogurt marinade before cooking in a clay oven. Familiar spices including garlic, ginger, onion, and cayenne pepper add a rich and bold taste. While the base of this dish stays the same, some restaurants may accompany it with naan or other sides.

Curry –

Arguably the most famous Indian food, curry is a staple on many menus. A simple way to describe curry is a gravy or sauce. It pairs with protein, vegetables, lentils, or rice to create mild dishes or ones that bring the heat. Traditional spices in curry are – garam masala, cumin, and turmeric. Try any of these dishes the next time you are ready to spice up dinner:

Bhindi Masala Curry

Chana Masala Curry

Chicken Masala Curry

Lamb Masala Curry

Interesting fact, in South Asia, curry is often served with rice and an assortment of Indian bread!

Tikka –

The dictionary defines Tikka as an Indian dish of marinated meat cooked on a skewer. But that is only the beginning of this tasty Indian food. Tikka chicken, or paneer, a cheese some refer to as a drier mozzarella, is made in a tomato sauce and vegetables. The spices coriander, mint, garlic, cumin, and more bring this meal to life. Tikka is not only loved in India and America, but it is also a favorite in Britain.

Navrattan Korma –

Paneer, protein, and vegetables are not the only stars in Indian cuisine. Nuts and fruit appear in many dishes. Take for instance Navratan Korma . Sweet raisins, crunchy cashews, and almonds blend perfectly in this Indian dish. Although this feast is a mild one, many chefs will adjust the heat to your liking. 

Vindaloo –

Vindaloo is a zesty curry packed with potatoes and fiery heat! Lamb, chicken and even shrimp are found in different variations. Other flavors include ginger, cumin, turmeric, paprika, onions, coconut milk, and more. Get familiar with Indian cuisine and spice levels before giving this dish a try. 

We invite you to try all the best of India at Indian Delight. Dine indoors year-round or on our patio in warmer weather. We also have take-out and delivery options. Reach out with any questions or to make a reservation. We hope to see you soon!

Many of our customers here at Indian Delight often ask us for diet-friendly recommendations from the menu. Thankfully, we have a lot of diet-friendly options to offer to our customers.

Here is our guide to ordering Diet-friendly meals from our Menu.

Starters:

1. Garden Salad

If losing weight is your goal then we recommend you start your meal with our garden salad. It is not only healthy but is also refreshing and has a great taste.

2. Kachumber Salad

Crispy and light, Kachumber salad is made from freshly picked and chopped cucumber, onions, tomatoes, & garnished with cilantro, lemon, & chat masala.

3. Lentil Soup

Lentils are a great source of protein and fiber. This mildly spicy soup is made from creamy lentils served with a cilantro garnish, making it a perfect light starter.

4. Mulligatawny

National Soup of India, Mulligatawny is a mildly spicy soup made from creamy vegetables served with a garnish of chicken and rice. You can opt to omit chicken and rice to cut on the calories.

Entrees:

1. Daal Tadka

A very popular Indian dish of yellow lentils tempered in oil with herbs, cumin, and spices. Daal is rich in protein and is easy to digest.

2. Palak Paneer

This tasty and flavorful light curry dish is prepared with spinach and mild spices. Also, paneer is high in protein, which makes it a great choice for weight loss.

3. Chicken Tikka

Tikka is Indian style BBQ prepared by grilling meat. The chicken is marinated in yogurt, lemon juices, and Indian spices, and contains none of the ingredients that would get in your way of weight loss.

4. Chicken Tandoori

A very famous and celebrated Indian BBQ item. This mildly spiced dish is marinated in yogurt and seasonings then baked in a clay oven. It is rich in fats and proteins and contains minimal carbohydrates.

Bread:

Whole Wheat Paratha:

Hand-tossed Crispy and Crunchy Indian style bread. Whole wheat bread is rich in fibers that contribute to the health and prevent constipation, making it a wise choice.

We at Indian Delight offer a lot of diet-friendly and healthy Indian Meals. Explore the menu on the site or visit us today at: 5507 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102