Indian cuisine is known for creamy, rich gravies, aromatic rice, spicy meat dishes and innovative techniques that challenge the rules of the culinary world in the most exciting way. There’s a lot to choose from – the main course, the appetisers, and the desserts are all on a long list that includes culinary wonders from across regions within the subcontinent.
There’s so much that makes Indian cuisine. Indian bread takes quite a significant amount of responsibility to do justice to the cuisine. It’s a vessel that often enhances the flavour of the accompaniment on the dinner table.
The different Indian breads types come packed with a lot of flavour. There are fluffy naans, dry rotis and flaky parathas. There’s an Indian bread to fit every taste.
Indian bread types
There are many different kinds of Indian bread. India is a large sub-continent with many different kinds of regional cuisines that come together to offer distinct but cohesive dishes that feel like flavour bombs in your mouth.
India is a diverse country with a diverse assortment of bread that has been developed through its rich culinary heritage. Different regions have created their own kind of bread with different ingredients and unique flavours. The locally available flour also changes from region to region – this change can be seen in the popularity of certain kinds of bread over others. Breads are made using various ingredients like wheat flour, all-purpose flour, millet flour, rice flour, etc. They range in taste, texture and cooking technique.
Diverse Indian Bread types
There are many kinds of Indian breads. These can be enjoyed best with different curries and sides. They’re made of different ingredients and with cooking techniques that are unique to the region.
Naan :
Naan is a soft, fluffy flatbread made of wheat flour and yogurt dough. The dough is made by kneading it until it’s soft. It’s left to rise for a while and then flattened to be cooked over the tandoor. This gives it a charred flavour. Naan is often served with curries and dals.
Roti :
A more everyday Indian bread that goes with everything. It is made out of wheat flour and is cooked on a griddle. It’s a staple food because of how widely available wheat flour is. One can eat it with curries or even dry gravies of vegetables.
Paratha :
A flaky flatbread that is made with a slightly different technique. Paratha is made with wheat flour and might contain stuffings like – cheese, paneer, potato etc. It’s often folded in and then flattened, giving it layers that bring that flaky texture. Because they’re usually heavy, they’re served with chutney or yogurt.
Puri :
A puri is a deep-fried flatbread that is made with wheat flour. They’re smaller and often served as sets of 3-5. Puri goes well with curries and chutneys. They’re a popular choice for breakfast and are also enjoyed during special occasions because of how easy they are to make.
Dosa :
An Indian bread more prevalent towards the southern regions. It’s a thin crepe made with a paste that contains fermented rice and lentils. The batter is made the day before and left to ferment for the best crispy dosas. They can be had with sambar and chutney. People often add ingredients like potatoes, onions, tomatoes or cheese onto dosas.
How to enjoy Indian breads
Indian breads can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They can be enjoyed with thick curries or dals. As Indians enjoy eating their food with their hand, these breads help scoop out the dal and curries. They can also be enjoyed with drier preparations of vegetables or kebabs. For thicker flatbreads, one may pair it with yogurt or pickles.
Flatbreads can be a very filling choice of food and provide healthy carbs that are a good energy source.
Flatbreads can be prepared in a lot of ways. You can try cheese or butter naan/parathas during winter for the added energy. One can also stuff a variety of vegetables into parathas like – radish, chilli, potatoes, spinach, etc.
Heavier Indian breads go best with some yogurt or pickle. They can feel like a heavy meal when had with curries.
Also read – 7 Best Health Benefits of North Indian Thali
A food enthusiast and a blogger – someone who likes to eat and write about it. I’m passionate about exploring different cuisines and challenging my palette. I give into my food craving regularly and am often on the hunt to find my new favorite food place in town.
