Desi food pairings: Elevate your desi meal experience
Many culinary traditions around the world pair certain foods together. In some traditions, the variety of tastes is limited. In others, it is wide, and meals are served with a variety of side dishes, including breads and/or rice, salads, sauces, dips, pickles, and vegetables.
The Indian subcontinent, where desi food is eaten, is vast. An intermingling of traditions from different parts of this region, with Persian, Arabic, and Turkish influences, has shaped how certain foods are served and consumed. One of the most important influences on desi food pairings comes from centuries-old Ayurvedic concepts of health and medicine.
Food as medicine—desi food pairings on the Indian thali
If we observe the Indian thali, we see it includes a variety of traditional desi food pairings, like roti or rice, dairy in the form of curd or buttermilk, and fermented foods such as pickles and chutneys, alongside lentils and vegetables. The food also contains spices such as cumin, turmeric, and coriander, and each spice contributes to its overall beneficial properties.
According to Ayurvedic concepts, a complete meal should have six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. Furthermore, foods are seen as having a cooling vs. a heating effect on the body. A good meal is balanced. Looking at the Indian thali, we immediately note that grains like rice and wheat in the form of roti provide the necessary carbs for energy. Legumes such as lentils and chickpeas are a source of fiber and plant protein. Vegetables are a source of vitamins and fiber. Fermented condiments and drinks contribute to gut health. Ghee or coconut oil provides healthy fats. Spices aid digestion and help maintain good metabolism.
In Ayurveda, food is considered to be mahabhaisajya, or the most superior medicine. Additionally, it is seen as purnabrahma (full divinity), a concept that a meal is meant to satisfy the mind, body, and spirit. This is the basis of a holistic approach to food, emotional, and bodily health. Diversity in the taste, texture, and color of desi food, and the consumption of seasonal foods, represent this approach.
There is also emphasis on individual needs that determine diet. For example, while one person might easily digest lentils, another could suffer from bloating or indigestion. In such cases, alternative sources of nutrition are recommended. Many bodily conditions can be temporary, and ideally, the diet is adjusted according to changing needs. Eating the right food at the right time is an effective way to manage and prevent disease.
While modern desi cuisine might not strictly adhere to ancient medical rules, desi food pairings generally follow principles of balancing different properties and effects of food to optimize digestion and nutrition.
Desi main and side dishes
In desi cuisine, a staple such as bread, including different kinds of naan, paratha, and roti, and/or rice, usually accompanies the main dish. If the main dish is meat-based, there will often be a vegetable side dish or salad to complement it. Sauces, dips, and pickles are added to the meal to complete it appropriately in flavor and health benefits.
Desi food pairings for kebabs: Popular condiments
In desi cuisine, kebabs of various types are frequently served with naan and/or rice, and are paired with refreshing sides.
Kachumber salad is one of the most popular desi food pairings—with finely diced cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and green chilies, garnished with cilantro and lime juice. Another favorite side dish is mint and curd chutney made by blending mint leaves, cilantro, and green chilies with curd. These sides balance out the rich meat dish with fresh, tangy, and cooling flavors.
It is important to note that desi kebabs such as seekh, shami (which includes lentils), and chapli are prepared with spices and herbs, making the meat more flavorful and easier to digest.
| Kaiser & Colonel Kababz offer a range of popular kebabs made from all-natural ingredients, making it easy for you to prepare your favorite kebab meal. All you have to do is add your choice of sides to enjoy a quick and healthy, well-rounded meal! |
Maximize the flavor of your chicken korma
Chicken korma (a chicken curry prepared in a mild creamy sauce with ground nuts) becomes super delicious when served with fluffy garlic naan and a sweet, spicy mango chutney. If you want to prepare this delicious dish, follow this easy recipe by Nicky Corbishley, and if you are inspired, you can also make mango chutney at home with this recipe by Kimberly Killebrew.
Urad or black gram lentils are a desi food pairing for your chicken korma that diversifies your meal and also makes it more delicious! This is a very popular dish in desi food and can be prepared in various ways. You can choose to prepare it with whole unhusked lentils or with the split and husked variety. Here is a recipe for a delicious creamy version.
| Enjoy your meal with Kaiser’s garlic naan! Infused with garlic and coriander, this handmade traditional Indian bread is baked in a tandoor oven and is ready to eat in minutes. |
Enjoy the versatility of butter chicken
When it comes to the right combination of flatbread and/or rice with a main dish, regional staples and personal preferences both play a role.
Where rice is the staple, a popular main dish such as butter chicken would be paired with a side of fluffy basmati rice, plain or flavored with turmeric or jeera (cumin). Elsewhere, tandoori roti and plain or flavored naan would be preferred; sometimes, both desi food pairings are served together. Papadums can be added to enjoy the creamy sauce with a crispy bite.
Choosing the right condiment to go with your butter chicken is also important. Raita made with cucumbers in curd, garnished with mint leaves, makes a yummy and cooling contrast. A tangy green chutney made from mint and cilantro is another popular choice. This simple chutney is made by blending the herbs with a bit of salt (adding a little water to the mix in the blender as needed). The chutney can be prepared with or without green chilis according to personal preference.
| Kaiser Butter Chicken is a delicious time hack. It takes only minutes to heat and serve. Pair it with Kaiser’s heat-and-eat tandoori naan, and you’ve a feast on your plate even on weeknights. |
Healthy garnishes for chicken haleem
Chicken haleem is another popular desi food. Its most preferred desi food pairing is naan bread—to scoop up the rich, creamy gravy made with lentils, grains, and shredded chicken. The dish is garnished with fried onions, lime wedges, green chilies, julienned ginger, cilantro, and mint leaves. The garnishes enhance the flavor of the dish and aid in digestion.
Make a special note of the traditional garnish of raw ginger here. Ginger contains gingerol and helps with gastrointestinal motility. It makes digestion efficient. Food continues to be digested and does not linger in the gut. Thus, ginger helps with bloating and gas. It can be paired as a garnish with many foods that might be difficult to digest.
| Kaiser’s ready-to-enjoy chicken haleem is the perfect stew to enjoy with these healthy garnishes and tandoori naan. In minimal time, you can put a simple and delicious feast on the table for the whole family—and be sure everyone will enjoy it. |
Freshen up the biryani with these desi food pairings
The many variations of biryani, whether with meat or vegetables, all go very well with a simple cucumber or mint raita. Its fresh, cooling taste makes a delicious, healthy contrast with the rich rice.
A traditional Indian onion salad (laccha pyaaz) makes a wonderful side dish too. Find an easy recipe by Archana Mundhe to make this healthy, crunchy onion salad without the pungent odor or the overly acidic effect of raw onions.
You can also add a side of mango or lime achar. It gives the perfect sour and spicy twist to each mouthful of biryani.
Have some plain salted lassi with your biryani to balance the heat, or if you want to indulge, go for sweet mango lassi!
| Try these desi food pairings with Kaiser’s Bombay Chicken or Chicken Kabab Biryani. Heat-and-eat biryani that is effortless to get onto the plate, but is big on flavor, especially when paired with the right sides. |
Take your pick of desi food pairings for chicken tikka
Chicken tikka is another versatile, iconic Indian food paired with numerous side dishes. First of all, if you don’t want to go with the classic naan and chicken tikka pairing, you can choose to have the dish with Indian vegetable pulao or rice. Here is a recipe for this nutritious side dish by Saima to go with your chicken tikka!
You could have a super healthy and delicious side of beets that complements the smoky flavor of chicken tikka perfectly! Here is a quick and easy recipe to make instant pot beets!
Dahi baingan, or fried eggplant in curd, is a dip that also complements chicken tikka very well. Find a recipe for this savory delight seasoned with onions, garlic, and cilantro here.
You can pair one or two of these side dishes with your chicken tikka, or all of them, adding naan and rice to create a perfect feast!
| To cut your prep time, try Colonel Kababz Tandoori or Malai Chicken Tikka—and pick any of the delicious desi food pairings that appeal to your palate for the perfect tikka experience. |
Concluding words…
The holistic approach to desi food pairing is seen in the art of putting together dishes that provide nourishment from diverse sources. The aim is to find the right balance not only in flavor but also in food properties. Even the appearance of desi meals represents this approach. For example, red chicken tikka masala served with yellow saffron rice and a green chutney with mint and cilantro is super colorful. The meal combines nutrients from grains, vegetables, and dairy, and also contains herbs and spices that aid digestion.
Desi food pairings create meals that please the eye and the palate, and also take good care of your body. With Kaiser’s meticulously sourced, ready-to-eat desi meals and a variety of flatbreads, it is super easy to create a delicious yet healthy meal with a choice of pairings, with little prep in minimal time.
