DELHI PALACE-CUISINE OF INDIA

Mithai is an Indian dessert that can be incredibly varied. It's actually a Hindustani word meaning "sweet." They're made with sugar, and milk or condensed milk, then fried, but the details change by region. Sometimes, they're based on milk, but they're also based on peanuts or cashews.

Did you know that fish dishes, although not popular all over India, are a staple of certain Indian states like West Bengal, Kerela, and Goa? Most Indians are traditionally vegetarian and consume very little meat, fish, or chicken.

One of the many benefits of eating Indian food is that it is really good for you. In fact, Indian food is considered to be one of the 10 healthiest ethnic cuisines in the world! It is ranked #4, after Greek, Japanese, and Vietnamese cuisine.

Did you know that ghee is not only a staple of Indian cooking but is believed to have healing properties as well? Kumbhiighrta (ghee aged between 10 to 100 years) and Mahaghrta (aged over 100 years) are thought to be powerful tonics.

Indian cuisine is perhaps one of the most varied and diverse food cultures in the world. Each region has its own unique flavor and style, and each of these have been further influenced by other cultures.

When eating Indian cuisine, it's always handy to have naan around. Sometimes spelled "nan," this flat bread is almost universal to Indian cuisine. Yogurt is sometimes added to the mix to give it a distinct taste, but no matter what, it's a tasty addition to a meal and a great way to counter spicy food.

Did you know that one of the main ingredients in Indian food has been shown to heal patients suffering from serious illness and disease? In fact, tumeric is a proven anti-inflammatory that has helped many people make speedier recoveries from illness.

Tandoori Chicken is one of the most popular of all Indian chicken dishes and is traditionally cooked in a Tandoor (or clay) oven. Before cooking, the chicken is marinated in yogurt and heavily seasoned with tandoori masala.

Throughout history, there have been times when spices and aromatics have been more valuable than gold or precious stones. The spice trade has a rich and fascinating history, one which has dramatically influenced culinary traditions across the globe.

Rather than being served in courses, Indian dishes are meant to be served together and eaten in a group. The menu is designed to cover the food spectrum of flavors: from spicy and creamy to salty, pungent, and sweet.

You'll find a lot of choices for appetizers on the menu at an Indian restaurant. Many feature potatoes, and all include flavorful spices. Because these appetizers are often light, they stimulate the appetite rather than filling you up so you don't want your main meal.

While many people have the perception of Indian cuisine as primarily vegetarian, this isn't really the case. The truth is that many Indian dishes are based around meat, although in India, people's religious beliefs may dictate when and what type of meat they consume.

Kulfis is Indian ice cream that is made of frozen sweetened milk and cream which is served frozen. Cold, milky and sweet, Kulfis is often served as a summertime sweet and is considered part of traditional Indian cuisine.

Indian food is extremely popular in the UK, where there is said to be around 10,000 restaurants across the country. According to the Indianfoodguide, there are around 4,400 Indian restaurants in America and close to 2,600 Indian grocery stores.

Fennel is a popular spice in Indian cuisine that is often dry roasted and then used in sweets. Since fennel is known for its digestive qualities, the spice is also sometimes included in tiny sugar candies for use as a mouth freshener after meals.

In Indian cuisine, samosas are thick or thin crispy triangular shells, stuffed with potatoes, chicken, or a mixture of vegetables. In India, this is a popular tea-time snack, but it also makes a great appetizer.

Indian food is ideal for vegetarians because there are so many dishes one can choose from. These include malai kofta (veggie balls), palak paneer (spinach and cottage cheese), and rajma (red kidney bean curry).

One rule of eating with your hands in India is to only use your right hand to touch any food. In India, as with many non-Western countries, the left hand is considered unclean.