Indian cuisine

Jennifer

Reading — Intermediate Level
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Activity

Read the text and answer the questions


Indian cuisine consists of a variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to the Indian subcontinent. Given the diversity in soil, climate, culture, ethnic groups, and occupations, these cuisines vary substantially and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits.

Indian food is also heavily influenced by religion, in particular Hinduism, cultural choices and traditions. Centuries of Islamic rule, particularly by the Mughals, also introduced dishes like samosa and pilaf.

Staple foods of Indian cuisine include pearl millet , rice, whole-wheat flour, and a variety of lentils, such as masoor (most often red lentils), tuer (pigeon peas), urad (black gram), and moong (mung beans). Lentils may be used whole, dehusked or split. Split lentils, or dal, are used extensively. Some pulses, such as channa or cholae (chickpeas), rajma (kidney beans), and lobiya (black-eyed peas) are very common, especially in the northern regions.

Many Indian dishes are cooked in vegetable oil, but peanut oil is popular in northern and western India, mustard oil in eastern India, and coconut oil along the western coast, especially in Kerala and parts of southern Tamil Nadu. Gingelly (sesame) oil is common in the south since it imparts a fragrant, nutty aroma.

Many types of meat are used for Indian cooking, but chicken and mutton tend to be the most commonly consumed meats. Fish and beef consumption are prevalent in some parts of India, but they are not widely consumed except for coastal areas, as well as the north east.
Source: Wikipedia
  1. What characterizes Indian cuisine?

  2. What generally plays a significant role in the Indian cuisine?

  3. What are channa and lobiya?

  4. Which is commonly used in Indian cooking?

  5. Which is probably not true about Indian cuisine?

Discussion

Practice your writing skills by discussing the questions below

  1. Have you eaten any Indian food? if yeas, what was it ?

  2. Are there many indian restaurants in your country? if yes, what is the most popular Indian food there?

  3. How often do you eat/dine out? Why?

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