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MasterChef India has seen several contestants from various backgrounds compete for the title in a heated competition that spans several rounds over the course of the season, making all manner of dishes to showcase their culinary repertoire on a global platform. You're not alone if you find yourself fired up and ready to hit the kitchen after watching an episode or two of the latest season. However, most people might come down from this fervor once they realize that they lack the equipment or the skills to concoct the many avant-garde dishes presented on the show. While this may be true, we’d encourage you not to give up hope yet. Classical Indian dishes that are made with high-quality ingredients and innovative techniques make for an excellent medium to distinguish yourself from the other competitors and impress the judges with your culinary prowess by highlighting the robust flavors of the country’s fare in a fresh and original way.
Tandoori chicken with naan bread and raita
This quintessential non-vegetarian dish features marinated chicken cooked in a tandoor oven and served with traditional naan bread and raita. The key to successful tandoori chicken is in the marinade, which typically includes yogurt, lemon juice, and a blend of aromatic spices such as garam masala, cumin, and coriander. The chicken should marinate for at least two hours in this mixture before being cooked to perfection in the tandoor oven. The result is tender, flavorful chicken that is served with warm and fluffy naan bread and a cooling raita to balance out the spicy flavors.
Butter chicken
This takeout staple is made with tender chicken pieces cooked in a rich sauce that is flavored with butter and tomatoes. The key to a delicious butter chicken is in the marinade, which typically includes yogurt, lemon juice, and a blend of aromatic spices such as garam masala, cumin, and coriander. The chicken is left to marinate for several hours or overnight before being cooked in a rich and creamy tomato and butter sauce. The gravy is best served with sizzling tandoori naans straight off the tandoor, seasoned with fresh butter. The result is a dish that is bursting with flavor and perfect for satisfying comfort food cravings, a notion that is sure to resonate with the show’s judges.
Biryani
This versatile Awadhi classic can be made using a variety of proteins and styles. There is no end to the sheer variety of preparations that carry the tag, from the rich and gamey boiled kappa biryani of Kerala to the aromatic, layered dum biryani of Hyderabad. The dish’s taste may also be enhanced with accompaniments such as salan, raita, and even papad. A heaping plate of biryani is sure to hold its own against popular rice preparations such as risotto or pilaf, regardless of style. The biryani is a true celebration of Indian cuisine and is sure to impress the judges on MasterChef India.
Samosas
These crispy, fried pastries can be filled with a variety of fillings, such as spiced potatoes, lentils, or meat. The triangles are best served in the form of an amuse bouche with chutney or tamarind sauce for added flavor. To make the perfect samosas, you'll need to master the art of making the pastry sheets and choosing the right filling. The pastry sheets are best made by using dense puff pastry that is rolled out thin and shaped into triangles, after which the triangles can be filled with assorted savory fillings and fried until golden brown.
Palak paneer
This classic dish has been a mainstay in Indian cuisine for several centuries. Palak paneer is a simple yet flavorful dish that is sure to appease the most discerning palates. To make the perfect palak paneer, you'll need to start by making a smooth and creamy spinach sauce, which is typically made with fresh spinach, garlic, ginger, and a blend of aromatic spices such as garam masala and cumin. The sauce is then combined with chunks of paneer and simmered until the cheese is perfectly soft and tender. It goes well with perfectly cooked white rice or soft buttered rotis.
Kulfi
Every Indian is all too familiar with this traditional ice cream. This decadent dessert is made with a base of reduced milk and sweetened with sugar, with additions such as rose, pista, saffron, cardamom, or fruit for flavor. Kulfi is traditionally made in cone-shaped molds and served chilled, or with falooda for a richer dessert. There is no end to the amount of flavor and aroma that can be packed into a tiny cone of kulfi, making it an excellent dessert that can be served at any stage of the competition.
Gulab Jamun
Yet another classic desi dessert. Gulab jamun consists of just two simple components: light, fluffy balls of dough and a thin, flavorful syrup. To make authentic gulab jamun, you'll need to master the art of making the dough and the syrup. The dough is typically made with a combination of milk powder (or khoya), all-purpose flour, baking powder, and cardamom. The dough is then rolled into small balls and deep-fried until they are golden brown, following which they are soaked in a sweet syrup made with water, sugar, and cardamom. Gulab jamun is a delicious and indulgent dessert that is sure to impress the judges with its rich and aromatic flavors.
Jalebi
This mithai is one that is sure to delight the senses with bursts of flavor and texture. The deep-fried dough is crispy and golden on the outside while soft and chewy on the inside. Preparation for the dessert starts with frying the dough in order to make the jalebi itself. Piping the dough out into hot oil is the trickiest part; it takes the uninitiated a fair bit of time to make the perfect concentric rounds that are characteristic of the dessert. The jalebis are soaked in a sweet syrup flavored with lime juice, which gives the rounds a sweet, tangy flavor and a sticky texture. The syrup may also contain inclusions such as saffron and cardamom. The result is a plate of bold and indulgent rounds that is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of judges on the show.
