What’s not there to love about kebabs? These chunks of roasted meat bring delight with every bite. And with a long history influenced by different cultures, India has a lot of kebab dishes to offer for your next outdoor kebab party from mouth-watering tikka kebabs to melt-in-your-mouth shami kebabs. You can even invite your vegetarian friends and serve them some vegetable kebabs but if you want to invite your vegan friends you’ll have to ask the outlet about vegan options because dairy products are usually part and parcel of Indian cuisine. Here are some Indian kebabs you ought to order at an online Indian food delivery in NYC at least once:
Tikka Kebab
This list cannot begin without mentioning the most popular one. Your kebab party would be incomplete without these meat cubes. Marinated with tikka masala and grilled in a tandoor, this spicy and smoky dish is worth every cent. Though this dish is usually made with chicken due to its tenderness, you can also find beef, mutton and fish tikka kebabs on some menus. Vegetarians can much on paneer tikka and soya bean nugget tikka among other vegetarian options. The cubes can be served with or without gravy and with or without some flatbreads.
Tunde Kebab
This popular street dish was once served to the rulers of central Uttar Pradesh and one can see why the rulers loved it so much. Created by a one-armed chef, its story is rather inspiring. The meat patties are punched until they are tender enough to be chewed without teeth before frying on an open pan. The chef usually uses mutton but other meats can also be used.
Shami Kebab
Another chewy kebab on the list, this melt-in-your-mouth kebab is made with some finely minced mutton along with cumin seeds, chickpeas, onion, coriander and green chilies. Once served to the Mughal rulers, this royal dish is the perfect starter for your meal.
Hara Bhara Kebab
It literally means kebabs filled with greens and is arguably the healthiest on the menu. Made with spinach, potatoes, gram flour and green peas, it’s one of the few times your kids won’t say no to veggies because of the spice that makes the dish nice. You can have it as a snack to boost your energy during work hours or as a starter to your meal.
Dahi Yogurt
If you aren’t pure vegan, this dish is arguably healthier than hara bhara kebab because its main ingredient is yogurt. Other ingredients include cheese cottage, raisin, oats and spices. Vegetables may also be added for taste. The result is a plate of soft patties with a spicy-sour taste that has you craving for more.
Pyazi Kebab
As you can see, Indian cuisine has a lot of kebabs to offer to vegetarians. This kebab is made with onions, lemongrass and mint fried in light oil. The result melts in your mouth and builds your appetite for the main dish. A paste of tamarind, walnut or jaggery takes the dish to a new level.
Kathi Kebabs
Meat lovers, don’t leave the list yet because there’s more meat kebab to be had starting with kathi kebabs. These kebabs are skewered with iron rods, thus the name, and are roasted in a tandoor from where it gets a smoky flavor. It’s usually wrapped in a flatbread and served as kathi roll. Lots of spicy paste and cream are added for flavor.
Burra Kebab
If you are tired with appetizers and want something that hits the spot, then order some burra kebabs instead. Once served to the royal Mughal family, burra kebab is made with large chunks of beef or mutton grilled on charcoal. Unlike the previous dishes, the bones are usually not removed giving you something to hold it with while you chat with your friends at an outdoor grill party.
These are just some kebab dishes you can order at an online Indian food delivery in NYC or at a friend’s house. If you get the chance, do try these dishes at least once.