Curry has become a staple dish in the UK that contributes more than £5bn to the British economy – which does prove its incredible popularity throughout the country. There are now almost 10,000 Indian restaurants to choose from in the UK – allowing you to order food on a reputable takeaway site such as ChefOnline, no matter where you are based.
The typical Indian restaurant menu now has dozens of different dishes for you to try, especially online food takeaway menus – but are you brave enough to step out of your comfort zone with this great food? To help you make your choice from the menu, we have put together our guide to some of the main Indian curry dishes that you should try.
Balti
The word balti is found in Urdu, Hindi and Bengali, and means bucket – which essentially describes the vessel that this dish is cooked in – a cooking pan. A balti pan is basically a karahi which has the shape of a Chinese wok but with 2 small round handles on either side of the pan instead of one long handle.
The dish contains both meat and vegetables, which are cooked up quickly over high heat, much like a stir-fry, containing lots of fried green peppers and fresh coriander. The medium hotness makes this the perfect choice for anyone who is not the biggest fan of spice, but still wants to experience a kick to the taste buds.
Jalfrezi
The jalfrezi is one of India’s most loved curries, involving marinating pieces of meat, fish or vegetables and then frying them in spiced oil. This curry is never too saucy, as the frying of the ingredients produces a dry, thick sauce which can range in heat – from medium to very hot. The way the dish is made can vary from restaurant to restaurant – but usually contains marinated meat, onions, bell peppers and lots of green chillies.
The use of the chillies ensures the dish tastes very fresh, while also making it one of the hotter curries on the restaurant menu. It uses only a few spices, including cumin seeds, turmeric and chilli powder, instead very much relying on frying up fresh ingredients such as garlic, ginger, chillies, onion, peppers and tomatoes.
Korma
If you are looking for a deliciously mild and creamy curry, this is the takeaway dish you need to choose. Containing meat or vegetables, which are braised with yoghurt or cream, this curry includes ground coriander and cumin – quite mild spice combinations. On most online takeaway menus, a korma is described as being very mild – making this the perfect curry for anyone who is not the biggest fan of spice. It is also fairly adaptable and can be mildly spiced or fiery.
Tikka Masala
This saucy and creamy curry is known as one of the most popular curries in the UK, composing of chicken tikka, boneless chunks of chicken marinated in spices and yoghurt. This is all roasted in an oven and served in a creamy curry sauce. The masala sauce is well-spiced, but not hot, rich and creamy and has a hint of coconut. Tikka masala also usually has a deep red colour, gained from the use of artificial food colourings. Although its origins are hotly questioned, the creamy, spiced curry and tender chicken can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere.
How do you order online takeaway?
Here at ChefOnline, we have developed a reputable website where you can arrange local takeaway delivery from a wide range of different establishments in your area – including both restaurants and takeaways. No matter whether you would like to book a table to a restaurant, or order food to your home – we will be able to help with that, taking online orders and organising food delivery services.
Would you like to have a chat with our exceptional customer service team? Please feel free to telephone us on 0330 380 1000. On the other hand, you can also send across an email to support@chefonline.co.uk and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.