My Top 10 Indian Vegetarian Dishes of All Time

Indian regional cuisines make the most of seasonal vegetables by teaming them with various spices and preparing them in different ways and savoring their flavors. 

Here are my Top 10 Indian Vegetarian Dishes of All Time:

1. Palak paneer: Palak Paneer is one of the all-time most beloved Indian recipes. Rich with spices, spinach, and fresh-pressed cheese that squeaks delightfully with each bite, palak paneer is a gluten-free dish packed with flavor and gentle heat from garlic and chilies.
2. Malai Kofta: Makai means cream and Kofta means dumplings, also known as vegetable meatballs in a thick sauce, goes very well with naan or jeera rice. The koftas are made with a mix of potatoes, carrots, beans, peas, and sweet corn, which are cooked and mashed before mixing with spices and paneer, that essential blocked "cheese" that is similar to tofu in texture and a great addition to any vegetarian meal.
3. Rajma: Rajma is one of the most popular vegetarian dishes of North India. Although closely associated with North India, where it is a staple food, red kidney bean was actually brought to the country from central Mexico and Guatemala. It consists of red kidney beans which are stewed in a rich gravy combined with numerous spices. The dish is usually prepared for festivities and special occasions, when it is typically served alongside rice and breads such as roti.
4. Dal Makhani: The dish is prepared with considerable amounts of ghee and various seasonings such as ginger garlic paste and chili, and it is slowly cooked in a rich, tomato-based sauce. Although it originated in Punjab, dal makhani has become one of the most popular Indian lentil dishes, both in the country and outside of its borders. The name makhani, meaning butter, stems from the last addition, a spray of melted ghee or butter that provides the typical flavor of this classic.
5. Pav bhaji: Pav bhaji is a popular street snack originating from the Indian state of Maharashtra. It consists spicy mashed vegetable curry, served piping hot with a dollop of butter, diced red onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime that is typically served with a soft bread roll known as pav. There are a lot of varieties of the basic pav bhaji, with added cheese, paneer, mushrooms, plantains and even dried fruits added in the curry mix.
6. Hara Bhara Kababs: Hara bhara kabab gets its name and green color from the healthy spinach, peas, and fresh coriander leaves.  It is a tasty alternative for those who love kababs but are vegetarian. Hara bhara kabab uses vegetables to achieve the same texture as grilled meat. When combined with potatoes, ginger and chaat masala which is a spicy powder mix, the result is a delightful snack.
7. Hyderabadi Baingan: Hyderabadi Baingan is an authentic brinjal curry which comes from the royal kitchens of Hyderabad. Small whole brinjals are doused in a nutty gravy made with peanuts, tamarind and sesame seeds. This is a mouth-watering dish to cook for lunch or dinner, the masala is so full of flavor that this can go well with rice or roti.
8. Vegan Biryani: Vegan Biryani is a classic dish hailing from the southern part of India, with influences from the Mughals, this vegetarian staple is indulgent, hearty and full of flavour. Vegan biryani is an aromatic rice dish made by cooking basmati rice with mix veggies, herbs & biryani spices. Making a vegetarian version becomes much simpler as the veggies need no marination. 
9. Dum Aloo: A version of this dish is cooked in almost every traditional Indian household  this particular dish is prepared by cooking new potatoes with a medley of spices for a long time on low heat in a heavy bottomed pan which is then served with fried bread such as puris.
10. Shahi Paneer: Shahi Paneer is a delicious North Indian curry made with Paneer. It is a rich and creamy cashew and tomato curry with cheese added to it. This vibrant Indian-style dish is an easy veggie curry recipe that’s also gluten free. Shahi Paneer can literally be translated to “royal cottage cheese", and is mainly eaten with traditional Indian flat-breads like roti or naan, rice and bread.

Stay tuned for more wonderful Indian dishes. Don't forget to share your views below.

-Aayush Neil