5 Dishes Perfect For A Desi Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving may be an all-American holiday, but we definitely cannot leave our desi taste buds out of it. The holidays are a time to rejoice and indulge with loved ones, and what’s better than a relaxed day with some awesome food?
Here are five dishes that are perfect for the occasion.
1. Nalli Nihari
If you are looking for a finger-licking curry, Nalli Nihari is the answer. The rich, slow-cooked meat stew flavored with spices and thickened with atta, is undeniable. The famous Pakistani versions of Nihari are typically made with beef, but it can also be made with lamb, goat meat, or chicken.
The word “nihari” comes from the root Arabic word “nahar”, meaning “day” or “morning”. This dish is called Nihari because originally, it was eaten in the morning. History suggests that it started in Old Delhi, where it was eaten by Mughal nawabs and workmen to fuel them throughout the day.
2. Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori Chicken is an iconic restaurant-style smoky, juicy grilled appetizer dish – it’s authentic, easy, and the best. This is definitely one of the all-time favorite chicken recipes for people all over the world. You can easily make it at home in an oven, on the grill, or even on the stovetop, in the instant pot or air fryer, you are going to love it in every way.
3. Sri Lankan Pumpkin Curry
If you have been following Masterchef Australia like the rest of us, you can definitely imagine how people just fall in love with Sri Lankan cuisine. If you are looking for a vegan curry recipe that is super satisfying, cozy, and delicious and a curry that even picky meat eaters will love, then look no further, the Sri Lankan pumpkin curry will have you covered.
With robust curry flavor, garlic, the delicious creaminess of coconut milk, and the nuttiness of toasted coconut – it is packed with comforting flavor. It is definitely a competitor to all the American pumpkin dishes you will be seeing around this time of the year.
4. Kathi Rolls
The spicy street wrap is springing up in cities all over the world. It is not unusual to see revelers heading to a Kathi Roll stand at the end of a night out in Manhattan, or besuited office workers standing patiently in lunch lines at Kathi Roll spots in London.
It was invented in the first half of the 20th century in the city of Kolkata, India, and its origins can actually be traced back to a single restaurant, known as Nizam’s. Step aside bland American rolls, this crowd favorite is here to win Thanksgiving!
5. Gajar Ka Halwa
How can the celebration of the harvest season ever be complete without a delightful dessert? Just as we ring in the winter season, Gajar Ka Halwa becomes an essential and immensely popular dessert. The rich, creamy, and decadent sweet is made with carrots, ghee, milk, sugar, and nuts and flavored with cardamom. Every version of this dish is simply delicious!
