Tandoori Cooking: A Style of Indian Cuisine Named for an Oven
An Overview of Tandoori Cooking
Tandoori cooking is a style of Indian cuisine that is named for the cylindrical clay oven in which the dishes are cooked. The intense heat of the tandoor creates a unique flavor that is popular in a variety of dishes, from meats to vegetables. The tandoor is believed to have been used in India since the 16th century and is still used today in many parts of the country.
The Ingredients of Tandoori Cooking
Tandoori cooking typically uses a variety of spices, including cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and cardamom. The dishes are also often prepared with yogurt, which is believed to tenderize the ingredients. The food is cooked in the tandoor at a very high temperature, which seals in the flavors of the spices and the yogurt.
Traditional Tandoori Dishes
Some of the most common dishes cooked in a tandoor are tandoori chicken, fish tikka, and naan bread. Tandoori chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and lemon juice before it is cooked. Fish tikka is usually made with chunks of marinated fish, while naan is a type of flatbread that is cooked in the tandoor. These dishes are often served with chutney as a condiment.
Modern Tandoori Dishes
In recent years, tandoori cooking has seen a resurgence in popularity, with chefs creating new dishes that use the unique flavor of the tandoor. Dishes such as tandoori vegetables, tandoori tofu, and tandoori lamb are all becoming popular in Indian restaurants. The tandoor is also being used to prepare dishes from other cuisines, such as Mexican-style tacos and Italian-style pizza.
Conclusion
Tandoori cooking is a style of Indian cuisine that is named for the cylindrical clay oven in which the dishes are cooked. The intense heat of the tandoor creates a unique flavor that is popular in a variety of dishes, from meats to vegetables. Traditional tandoori dishes include tandoori chicken, fish tikka, and naan bread, while modern dishes include tandoori vegetables, tandoori tofu, and tandoori lamb. Tandoori cooking is a flavorful and versatile style of Indian cooking that is sure to delight your taste buds.
