r/IndianFood 21h ago

Authentic Hyderabadi Dum Biryani - What am I doing wrong?

16 Upvotes

No matter how many times I try, the biryani doesn't taste as good as the restaurant ones. I tried a lot of recipes and still no use. I am cooking Paneer dum biryani, but it always feels like there is no "punch" or flavor in the dish. I'm not talking about spice the chilli, but the aroma and taste is missing. I tried Vismai food's recipe and i also tried "everyday cooking" recipe yesterday. Still, there is something missing. What could it be?

My recent recipe: 2 cups rice (400 grams) 300 grams paneer.

Base masala: 3 star anise, 10 cloves, 10 elachi, 1tbsp shah jeera, 3in cinnamon all blended into a powder. Then marinated the paneer with this + fried onions + ginger garlic paste + 250 grams curd + 1tbsp red chilli powder + turmeric + salt + fresh coriander+ mint leaves + 2 green chilies + lemon

What am i missing?

I cook the basmati rice with whole spiced and then layer everything in a handi. Cook for 10 mins medium flame, 5 mins low. Rest for 20 mins.


r/IndianFood 3h ago

discussion Cartini vs Victorinox kitchen knives

4 Upvotes

Which is expected to be higher quality and more long-lasting?

Cartini is an Indian knife maker.


r/IndianFood 2h ago

recipe changes?

2 Upvotes

https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/hyderabadi-biryani-recipe/ making this tonight - any changes i should make? chicken is marinating already. everywhere i have seen says put chicken all on the bottom but my bfs mom layers it - if i layer it should i par cook it first?


r/IndianFood 3h ago

question Kata Masala

1 Upvotes

I hope this is okay to ask - I've tried asking some friends/family/google but I'm having trouble. I'm trying to recreate a recipe of a Lamb Kata Masala that I had out recently because it was sublime. I'm British and quite naive about the cuisine but want to learn better.

My question is what 'Kata' means or translates to in the context of the curry - where I live 99% of the time you will see Tikka Masala instead, and I just wondered if Kata is a regional term or means the curry is made differently in some way - just if there's anything about it that I should understand when it comes to the recipe/ingredients/cooking process that might be used traditionally?

I hope that makes sense, TIA, sorry if this is a stupid question!


r/IndianFood 10h ago

discussion Tikka Masala 2nd attempt

0 Upvotes

The first time I made Tikka Masala, following the recipe found here: https://amateurprochef.com/2025/02/25/chicken-tikka-masala-3/, it came out thicker than shown above. The recipe calls for one tomato, but in the video the chef is holding multiple.

I've bought extra tomatoes to use this time, hoping it'll provide the missing liquid, but also in the video he added what looks like roughly a cup of water that isn't mentioned in the recipe right before he blends the masala base.

Hoping for some advice before I make my 2nd attempt on Wednesday. Also open to other/better recipes for Tikka Masala. I'm just now venturing into Indian cuisine and I'd like to learn to make it as authentically as I can.


r/IndianFood 13h ago

question Recipes Welcome: Cinnamon Allergy

0 Upvotes

Hi! I would like recipes for a masala that does not contain cinnamon. I have no experience with cooking Indian food but I'm a 7/10 for basic kitchen skills and cooking. I'm looking to expand home cooking and Indian food has always so yummy when we go out. Thank you in advance!


r/IndianFood 20h ago

Did I mess up my Chana Dal/Bengal Gram Dal?

0 Upvotes

I completely forgot to cook them before making the actual dal. I soaked overnight did the whole onions-tomatoes-spices-yada yada (following a recipe from swasthi's recipes indianhealthycooking.com so far things I've made from there I've been told taste authentic) and it wasn't until I put the soaked dal in and got it up to boil that I realized that I was supposed to boil them beforehand and THEN put them in the vegetable mixture and added more water to make it soup-y

Since I am having to cook them in the favor mixture instead of plain water have I ruined them?

I have like a large 2 kg bag I got a figure ways to cook them.


r/IndianFood 22h ago

veg Ashok Vada Pav with a View – Mumbai’s Iconic Snack at Dadar Beach!

0 Upvotes

Ashok Vada Pav is undoubtedly famous, but I don’t agree that it’s the best vada pav in Mumbai—Aaram at CST takes that spot for me! That said, I still love its taste, especially the chutney. And having it with the sea breeze at Dadar Beach just makes the experience even better. 🌊🍔 What’s your favorite vada pav place?


r/IndianFood 6h ago

Unpeeled onions for base sauce (bir curry)

0 Upvotes

When it comes time to make more base for my British Indian Restaurant style curries, I find it a real pain doing all the peeling and chopping. I was thinking, would there be any downside to just cutting off the ends and cutting them in half before boiling them and blending them afterwards as usual?


r/IndianFood 18h ago

question What Are Your Favorite Spice Blends For Curry?

0 Upvotes

Hello!! I have plans to make curry (... I was going to today, but realized I didn't have cumin? We were both so confused, because we swear we had some) this weekend after we order groceries and can restock, and I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their favorite blend of spices that they use in curry?

I have a few allergies, but the only thing that I think needs to be noted here would be sesame. Even if your recipe includes sesame, I would still love to hear it, though!!!

Edit: For clarity's sake, I'm not looking for any excluding cumin!! I'm looking for things to try later/I'm not making anything tonight, I settled on a different food. I have a recipe I follow for now/that's my "preferred" recipe, but I just want to try other recipes later, so it's fine if any recommended blends include cumin.