India is the most famous country in terms of spicy foods. Thousands of spicy dishes constantly attract visitors to India.
The country is diverse like America with different religions, continents and casts that all have their specials traditions and foods. The most common and famous dishes in India are Biryani, Qaliya, Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Tandoori Chicken, Naan, Dosa and Idli Sambhar.
Without spices, the Indian people can’t imagine creating dishes, which sometimes need more than 10 varieties of spices. A rice dish called “Biryani” contains more than 15 spices, and is the common choice of the Indian citizen.
Qaliya, Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Tandoori are all dishes originally used by Mughal Emperors who ruled more than 800 years in India. Although India has millions of Vegetarian peoples, the majority enjoys meat. Indian people commonly eat Dosa, Idli and Wada Sambhar and they may be made with spices, chilies, pickles, sunflower and coconut oil.
In Lakewood I had the opportunity to find the Indian restaurant named “Great Cuisine of India.” When I entered the restaurant I saw that they had many traditional Indian foods. The fine smell of spices and well-styled tables invited curiosity and hunger.
While looking at the menu items I got confused as to what order they were in because they had more than 70 dishes. The many items were divided by subgroups like Chicken, Soup and Salad, Lamb, Tandoori, Vegetarian, Rice specialties and Tandoori Naan.
According to restaurant owner Mr. Jay Kohli they have been serving for more than 11 years and American people tend to love the spicy foods. Military people who have been to Asian countries visit the restaurant regularly and comment saying, “we truly miss spicy Asian foods but we are thankful we have the Indian restaurant … ”
Butter Chicken Masala and Chicken Tikka Masala eaten most often by American customers. Each of these dishes can be customized in level of spice and chili too. Butter Chicken is cooked in a creamy tomato sauce, with a blend of spices, and Chicken Tikka Masala is cooked in onion gravy, a creamy tomato sauce and spices.
Tandoori Chicken is also a famous dish of India that is made up of bone-in-chicken marinated with spices, yogurt, garlic, ginger and is cooked in a Tandoor (Tandoor is a special kind of clay oven). Vegetarian people have many different choices like Daal Maharani, Chana Masala, Jeera Aalo, Bhindi Masala, Aalo Gobhi and lots of others.
Another spicy menu item that attracts spice lovers is the Tandoori Naan. More than 10 types of Naan (Chapati) are available in the restaurant, but the specialties are the garlic cheese naan and Roti. Garlic naan is cooked in clay oven, topped with garlic and stuffed with homemade cheese and spices.
International spicy food items combined with low prices makes this restaurant heaven for spice-lovers.
9518 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW. Lakewood.
(253)581-1333 www.greatcuisineofindia.com