5 Indian Recipes To Spice Up Your Life

When we get stuck in a rut of weekday meal plans, we can grow bored with the food we are putting into our bodies. Recipes that no longer have love can turn bland and tasteless. Want to up your flavor and spice game? Indian food is full of sweet spices. Indian food has been perfected over centuries and is a food about community and making memories. If you want to put some love and heat back into your life, here are 5 Indian recipes for you.

This recipe is perfect for bringing that sweet heat back into your life!

1. Chicken Tikka Masala

This recipe is the epitome of sweet spice and tender flavor. Tikka Masala is perfect for making fall off the bone chicken while also giving you that rolling heat that leaves you wanting more. 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 pound of chicken, diced
• 2 yellow onions, diced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin ( optional)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 sprig cilantro, for garnish

Basmati Rice

• 1 ¼ cup of water
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 tsp butter
• 1 pinch of salt

Directions

Begin by adding all your dry ingredients together, except for your sour cream, cilantro and rice. Add your mixture to a slow cooker along with your chicken, putting it on high heat. Cook on high for 3 hours before reducing the heat to low and cooking for an additional 6 hours. Next, add in your sour cream. Prepare the rice according to the directions, be sure to add butter and salt at the end of cooking. Stir the butter in thoroughly until completely melted. Add your rice to large bowls and garnish with your tikka masala and cilantro. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is perfect for adding that sweet richness back into your life.

2. Butter Chicken  ( Murgh Makhani)

This recipe is perfect for when you’re craving something a little more rich out of your chicken. Butter chicken offers that sense of sweet, hot and freshness that is unique to Indian flavors and styles. If you’re looking for a recipe to bring the heat to your next meal, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade 

• 28 oz boneless and skinless chicken thighs( breast work fine for this as well), cut into small pieces
• 1 ½ cups of garlic, minced
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin, ground
• 1 pinch red chili powder
• 1 pinch salt

The Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 ½ tbsp garlic, finely minced
• 1 nub of ginger, grated
• 1 large pinch cumin
• 1 large pinch garma masala
• 1 pinch coriander
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 pinch chili powder
• 1 large pinch salt
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1 pinch sugar
• 1 small pinch kasoori methi

Directions

Begin by taking a large bowl and adding your ingredients to the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 30  minutes. Note, the longer you let it marinate, the more flavor it will have. Next, heat up a large skillet over medium high heat, adding in your oil. Then, add in your chicken, make sure you do not crowd the pan here. Fry until they are browned. This should take about 3 minutes on each side. In the same pan, heat up your butter and fry your onions ( this should take about 6 minutes). Next, add your garlic and ginger and let it cook down for 1 minute. Add your coriander, garam masala and cumin. Stir in thoroughly before adding in your tomatoes, chili powder and salt. Let this reduce for 10 to 15 minutes. The sauce will become a thick dark reddish brown color. Remove from heat and put into a blender. Blend until smooth. You can add water to help this process. Pour your puree back into the pan and add in your cream, sugar and kasoori methi. Add in your chicken with the juices and cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes. Garnish with your cilantro. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is perfect for vegetarians craving that kick in their life.

3. Carrot Chickpea Curry

This recipe is homage to the sweet spicy curry that Indian food is known for. This spicy smoky delight is perfect for the vegetarians out there who are looking for some sweet heat in their lives. 

Ingredients

• 10.5 oz of carrots, peeled and chopped
• 5.75 oz coconut milk
• 1 package of chickpeas, cooked
• 3 tomatoes, cut thinly
• ½ onion, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 nub of ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 pinch kashmiri chili powder
• 1 pinch coriander
• 1 pinch turmeric
• 1 small pinch cumin
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 small pinch cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt

Directions

Begin by heating a large pan on medium high heat while adding in your oil. Fry your carrots for about 10 minutes. Combine all your spices in a separate bowl. When the carrots are caramelized, add in your onions and reduce the heat to low, cooking until onions are translucent. This should take around 5 minutes. Add in your garlic and ginger and cook for an additional minute. Next, add in your tomatoes, chickpeas and coconut milk. Stir thoroughly. Add salt to taste and cover with a lid. Cook on low for 40 minutes. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is great for those who want a little texture out of their next dinner.

4. Beef Kofta With Saag Aloo

This beef recipe is perfect for bringing that heat back into your life with a few easy steps. In addition, the color of this recipe is gorgeous. Making this recipe perfect for impressing guests or small family gatherings. If you’re looking for a new recipe to make you fall in love, beef kofta with saag aloo is a must try. 

Ingredients

Saag Aloo

• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 2 red onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 small pinch cumin
• 1 small pinch turmeric
• 1 pinch mustard seeds
• 2 potatoes, skinned and chopped
• 1 ¼ cup chicken stock
• 4 cups of baby spinach

Beef Kofta Curry

• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
• 3 tsp tandoori paste
• 14 oz coconut milk

Directions

Begin by heating up a pan, adding in your oil and onions. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Next, add in your garlic and cook for an additional minute. And place your mixture into a separate bowl. Add your cumin, mustard seeds and turmeric to the remaining onions and add them to the pan. Then, add in your potatoes and stock. Bring to a rolling boil then cover, reducing the heat and letting it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. While this is happening, start making your meatballs. Take your ground beef and add it to a bowl, adding in your salt, pepper and cilantro. Mix together and make 16 balls. Take a skillet and heat up on medium high heat with oil. Cook your meatballs for 10 to 12 minutes, making sure to turn them often. Transfer them to a bowl. In the same pan, add in your tandoori paste and cook on low. Add your coconut milk. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add in your meatballs and let simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Take the lid of your potatoes and remove from heat. Add in your spinach and potatoes and turn off the heat, placing the lid on the pan for 3 to 4 minutes until spinach has softened. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is great when you’re craving something cool and fresh to pair with your spices.

5. Raita

Looking for something to cool your pallet with all the sweet Indian spice? This recipe is perfect for adding that cool freshness to any meal. Here is how to get started! 

Ingredients

• 3 cups of plain yogurt
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch cumin
• 1 green chili, finely chopped
• 2 cucumbers, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• ½ cup cilantro

Directions

Stir together your yogurt, green chili, chili powder, cumin, and salt until smooth. Add your veggies and mix well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy. 

When it comes to Indian recipes that will bring the heat, this recipe list has it all. With so many flavors, textures and styles to choose from, there is an Indian recipe out there for everyone.