8 Mouth-Watering Vegetarian Dishes from Indian Cuisine

8 Mouth-Watering Vegetarian Dishes from Indian Cuisine

Indian cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines around the world. One simple reason is its inclusiveness. It has a wide range of tasty dishes for vegetarians. This makes it one of the healthiest options as well!

Whether you live in Queensland or Brisbane, there are days when you crave delicious vegetarian Indian food. You can either cook them in your kitchen or order them from your favourite Desi Indian Restaurant in the suburb.

Following is a list of the 8 best vegetarian Indian dishes and places to eat in Australia. When you are running short of delicious ideas, skim through the list to order your favourite one.

1. Palak Paneer

If you are up for a healthy and wholesome meal, Palak Paneer is one of the most favourite North Indian recipes. This mildly flavoured dish is rich in antioxidants. Have it with minimum oil to keep the calorie count low. 

Cubes of “paneer” or cheese (similar to cottage cheese but look more like tofu) are pan-fried from all sides and then simmered in a spinach-based gravy. It is typically flavoured with fenugreek leaves, onion, garlic, tomato, and several Indian spices but you can opt for your favourite combination of spice.

When prepared carefully, it is a nutritious meal that will also satisfy the taste buds. Have it with flat Indian bread and it’s finger-licking good.

2. Malai Kofta

Malai kofta is the delicious vegetarian alternative to meatballs, generally known as koftas. It is a dish for special occasions as this recipe may take a bit of time to make. When you are ordering it from a well-reputed Indian restaurant, you get to enjoy the flavorful and creamy results cooked by professional chefs. They are bound to please any vegetarian looking for a hearty and flavorful dish. 

Malai kofta is a perfectly curated mixture of potatoes, vegetables, paneer cheese, heavy cream, and spices. The mixture is then stuffed with chopped raisins and nuts and then moulded into balls. These balls are then deep-fried and served in a well-seasoned thick gravy. Find the best Punjabi Food Restaurant near you to treat your taste buds.

3. Mattar Paneer

As the name suggests, it’s a vegetarian dish made up of peas and cottage cheese. It combines these two ingredients in a rich gravy of tomato and cream. A blend of traditional Indian spices such as garam masala, turmeric, cumin, asafetida, and coriander is used to bring out the typical flavours of mutter paneer. 

Garlic, ginger, and chilli pastes are added so that the dish doesn’t skimp on flavour. It is generally served with hot naans or parathas. In some areas, it is also paired with jeera rice.  

4. Rajma Curry And Rice

Are you looking for an Indian meal that is rich in protein? Rajma is something you are going to love. It’s wholesome, tasty, and very, very popular, even when simply served over plain boiled rice. Rajma is perfect for a busy weeknight as this recipe takes less than 30 minutes and uses one pan and a little cooking expertise.

 Toast the chopped onions, garlic, and spices until aromatic. Then add soaked beans and water and cook until soft. Add the traditional spices as per your taste and sprinkle chopped fresh coriander for a rich aroma. This recipe also calls for a pinch of asafetida! Rajma served with rice is a perfect alternative for chicken with rice.

5. Chole

Chole is pretty basic and that’s what makes them perfect for every meal The chole dish but brings a lot of flavour to the table with a good serving of protein. Boiled chickpeas are simmered for just 10-15 minutes in a homemade gravy brimming with quintessential spices such as cumin and garam masala. Blend or smash some of the chickpeas to make a nice, thick consistency, which is perfect for scooping up with best Pani Poori or Bhatooras. Skip on the fried Indian bread to keep it healthy!

6. Aaloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki, also known as Aloo ki Tikkia or Aloo ki Tikki, is more of a snack rather than a dish. Its popularity in the Indian sub-continent brings it to the list. It is made up of boiled mashed potatoes, peas, and various curry spices. If you are not very good with Hindi names, “Aloo” means potato, and “Tikki” means a small cutlet or croquette. 

Serve it hot along with a side of saunth, tamarind, and coriander-mint sauce. Some prefer it with Dahi (yogurt) or chickpeas. Some North Indian Dhabas or café-style eateries sandwich the aloo in bread to make a quick snack.

7. Aaloo Paratha

Aaloo paratha is a flatbread stuffed with a richly seasoned mashed potato mixture. The coriander, cumin, turmeric, chilli powder, and ginger bring a nice savoury flavour. Compliment the rich flavour with a dollop of chilled yogurt and your favourite pickle or homemade butter.

8. Green Kabab

Kababs are meat croquettes. Hara Bhara kabab or green kabab is an alternative for vegetarians. It utilizes vegetables to achieve the texture and appearance of meat kababs. The word “Hara Bhara” literally means green and gets its name from the healthy spinach, peas, and fresh coriander leaves in it. delicious and filling veggie patty that’s perfect as a snack or part of a meal.

Featured photo by Lior Shapira on Unsplash