Indian thalis have a magical power and have a rich taste that you can never taste in any other food varieties. Pregnant with spices of all kinds, capable of caressing all
your senses, promising to surprise you with completely distinct flavours, such
is the glorification affixed to Indian food. Thalis are basically a creative
scheme to bring together the variety of food items in one platter. As you move
from one region to the other, you’ll be welcomed with a new platter, with new
food items on it. No particular thali in India can beat each other with regards
to rank in the order of taste appeal. Each has its special powers to make you
want for more. This indicates that wherever you choose to land in India, a
thali awaits you.So let’s
begin with our Thali hunt, shall we?
1.Punjabi Thali:
Punjabis are the most
enthusiastic people you will find in India. Zooming into the items spread on a
Punjabi Thali, if not all, we’ll list out at least some basic Punjabi food
essentials. Statutory Warning : their food contains a lot of ghee (clarified
butter). That’s where the taste is coming from. Aloo Kulcha, Punjabi Chole,
Paneer Tikka, Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Aloo Paratha, Dal Makhani, Kadi
Chaval, Rajma Chaval, Makke Di Roti, Sarso Da Sagh. No matter if that takes all
the space in your system, a glass of Sweet Lassi is a must. That’s how a
Punjabi meal is done. If the long list has already made you drool, why wait?
Book your flight tickets and satiate your grumbling stomach.
2.Rajasthani Thali:
Padharo Maro Des”,
speaks of the warm Rajasthani hospitality. Rajasthani thalis personify the true
dining experience. It revamps the whole traditional atmosphere by adding a
tinge of royalty to it. They have rotis, pooris, kachauris, and parathas made
of wheat flour. But their highlights are the rotis made of Bajra, Makka, and
Jowar. They make use of Besan extensively. Daal baati churma is a speciality
here. Gatte ki sabzi is another famous personality on the Rajasthani thali.
Book your Rajasthan tour package and be on your way to a gastronomic
adventure.
3.Bengali Thali:
Bengali Thali is a
perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavours. The world knows them for their love
of fish. But that’s not just it, there is more to it. Bengali rice pudding
called as Payesh, is consumed on special occasions, making it an important part
of the Bengali thali. The other members on the Bengali Thali are, Shukto, 5
types of fries- Aloo bhaja, Potol bhaja, Kumro bhaja, Begun bhaja, Uuche bhaja,
and torkari, Daal, chutney, and the very famous Fish. They are masters when it
comes to preparing the ultimate melt-in-the-mouth sweet. Rosogolla, Mishti Doi,
Kalo Jaam, Bengali Rabri, Gujias, Jibe Goja, Jolbhora Shondesh, the list goes
on. If you have a sweet tooth, Bengal will not disappoint you.
4. Gujarathi Thali:
Gujarati thali is
mostly vegetarian. Meals are served on a thali, a metal tray on which roti,
rice, and small bowls are placed. A different kind of sweet flavour is
prevalent in almost all the food items. Gujarati meal usually consists of rice,
bread, rotli, and vegetable curry called 'Shaak'. They also have a variety of
snack items like,thepla, maal purah, puri, bhakhri, and puran-pohli, hari and
khakhra, dal-dhokli, chevdoh, dhokla, undhiyu, khaman, bhusu, fafda, dhokli,
papdi, and sev mamra. A Gujarati thali shall treat your palate to many a
flavours in an instant.
5. Maharastrian thali;
Maharashtrians are
known for their extremely spicy with different masalas - so watch for what you
ask. Chicken, and fish are the common non-veg items you’ll find here. They have
a great variety in Pickles. The thali will have a little amount of rice in one
corner with daal in a bowl, and chappati on the other corner. You can pick what
comes to your plate. There are a variety of bhajis like, batatyachi bhaji,
vaangyache bharit, aamati, matkichi bhaji, and many more. Then you have
sabudaana vada, a refreshing glass of mattha, kanda poha, danyachi usal and the
awesome pav bhaji, which are irresistible. Not forgetting the varan bhaath
which is the king of the thali. With sweets like aamras and sheera, the thali is
certinaly not lacking when it comes to desserts. Pooran poli is another famous
sweet dish that you will find.
6. Goan Thali
Who knew that Goan
Thali could be as awesome as Goa's beaches? It’s a complete Indian meal at your
fingertips. Goan food is synonymous with sea food, rice, coconut, fish and yes,
kokum! You have Goan rice bhakri, Goan daali thoy, kele ambat, vegetable
vindaloo, Goan kokum curry, and Goan banana halwa to top it up! Goan cuisine is
also characterized by having some of the hottest curries, like Vindaloo. Due to
its coastal location, seafood is also quite prevalent.
7.Kerala thali:
Indians are known for
elaborate meals, and the Kerala thali exemplifies it best. Kerala’s food is
generally hot and spicy. The food is traditionally eaten by hands, and served
in banana leaves. Abundant use of coconut oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves and
coconut milk are used in their daily cooking. There is no 'rule' to this thali
and it contains liberal helpings of rice, sambhar, kootu (vegetable curry
cooked with lentils), kosumri, paapadam, curd, and for dessert, there's
paayasam (a sweet made with rice and lentils) to complete the meal.