logo
7 Indian Recipes That Make Dinner Special

7 Indian Recipes That Make Dinner Special

NDTV2 days ago

Dinner is the last meal of the day-a time to unwind, share stories, and enjoy comforting food with family. That's why we often try to make dinner special. Whether it's a casual weekday meal or a weekend gathering with friends or relatives, deciding what to serve can be a challenge. If you're tired of repeating the same chicken, paneer, or pulao dishes, we've got you covered. Here are some exciting dinner recipes that will elevate your dinner table and impress your guests.
Also Read: Aloo Bhujia + Paratha = A Match Made In Heaven! Try This 15-Min Paratha Recipe Today
7 Special Recipes for a Memorable Dinner Spread
1. Punjabi Dal Tadka
Punjabi Dal Tadka is a hearty and flavourful dish loved by both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. It pairs perfectly with roti, naan, or rice. A staple in Indian restaurants, this comforting dal is known for its aromatic tempering of spices. [ Click here ]
2. Chicken Kanti
A must-try for chicken lovers, Chicken Kanti is a spicy and tangy dish made with marinated chicken, tossed with onions and bold spices. Serve it hot with naan for a delicious dinner experience. [ Click here ]
3. Wasabi Matar Chaat
Who doesn't love chaat? This unique twist on the classic Matar Chaat adds the zing of wasabi for a burst of flavour. It's a refreshing and innovative dish that's sure to stand out at any dinner party. [ Click here ]
4. South Indian Masala Bhindi
Made with roasted coriander seeds, peanuts, chana dal, dry coconut, and garlic, this crispy South Indian-style bhindi (okra) offers a bold, earthy flavour. It's a great side dish to add variety to your meal. [ Click here ]
5. Kasundi Fish Tikka
Fish fillets are marinated in ginger-garlic paste and a blend of spices, then coated with mustard-flavoured kasundi and grilled to perfection. Serve this Punjabi-style fish tikka with green chutney for a smoky, tangy appetiser. [ Click here ]
6. Paneer Pasanda
If you love paneer, don't miss this rich and creamy Paneer Pasanda. Stuffed paneer slices simmered in a luscious gravy-this dish is always a hit at dinner gatherings. [ Click here ]
7. Aloo Kofta
Aloo Kofta is a melt-in-the-mouth potato-based kofta dish with a velvety texture and subtle spices. It goes beautifully with lachha paratha or fragrant pulao. [ Click here ]
Try these delicious recipes to create an unforgettable dinner spread.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

From desserts to cocktails, make the most of lychee season
From desserts to cocktails, make the most of lychee season

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

From desserts to cocktails, make the most of lychee season

There are fruits that languish on the kitchen counter or in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Boringly reliable and waiting obediently for their turn. But the lychee arrives in style, like a summer fling—brief, heady and unapologetically juicy. It makes you question your loyalty to any other fruit. This one doesn't wait around. You either catch it when it's in season or you suffer the consequences. And no, tinned lychees aren't worth consideration. A pale imitation of its original sexy self, floating listlessly in sugar syrup. No, thank you. The lychee season in India typically spans May to June, making this the perfect time to enjoy this luscious fruit. Living in Mumbai or Bengaluru, we often had to settle for subpar lychees. These stone fruits grow best in the northern belts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. If you're looking for the finest lychees in India, pick the ones from Muzaffarpur in Bihar. The district is famed for its premium shahi lychees, known for their generous size, juicy flesh and subtle rose-like fragrance. A few online platforms now do an excellent job of delivering these lychees under optimal conditions, so even those of us in southern India can savour them at their seasonal best Nutritionally, lychees offer a decent amount of vitamin C and antioxidants, but no one's calling them a superfood. And maybe that's a good thing. You don't need to justify eating them with a wellness angle. It's a distinctly flavoured seasonal fruit and that's a good enough reason to enjoy them. Also read: From salads to risotto, barley can be fun too Lychees are best eaten as is, no dressing up required. That burst of juicy sweetness does all the heavy lifting. But they're also delicate. Leave them out too long, and they lose their freshness. Refrigerate them for too many days, and they start tasting like they've given up. When buying, look for ones with a supple, pinkish-red skin. Avoid the dull brown ones. Cut off the stems and leaves, wash the lychees, pat dry and keep them refrigerated. The juicy flesh tastes even better when cold. In Asian countries, lychees aren't given the VIP treatment, they're just another familiar fruit. Tossed into cold drinks, packed into school tiffin, even used in syrups and squashes. In Thailand or Vietnam, they might show up in salads or chilled desserts, often paired with lime, herbs or coconut milk. That sharp-sweet contrast suits them well. In India, foodies are finding ways to put them into desserts. Lychees aren't a traditional Indian fruit used in desserts the way mangoes or bananas are, but the Instagram trends have made it feature in fusion-style recipes in Indian kitchens—lychee rabdi, kheer, kulfi or rasmalai. I must say that it adds a lightness and fragrance to otherwise rather heavy Indian desserts and it is a trend I approve of, unlike chocolate modaks. Beyond desserts, there's one place they really shine—in drinks. In the days before I turned teetotaller, I had a soft spot for fruit- and botanical-forward cocktails. Lychee found an easy fit in highballs, martinis, spritzes and mules. Long dismissed as the mushy fruit in canned syrup beside artificial cherries, lychee is quietly becoming the 'it girl" of cocktail menus. Its floral, juicy sweetness plays beautifully with lime, vodka, gin, even chilli, making it the perfect canvas for both minimalist and maximalist drinkers. Its dewy, pearly look is made for Instagram, pairs well with botanicals (think: smoked rosemary), evokes the nostalgia of Indian summers, and hits that sweet spot of feeling fancy without ever tipping into pretentious territory. LYCHEE FETA SALAD Serves 2 Ingredients 12 lychees 1 cucumber 1 small onion Mint leaves, handful 50g feta cheese, crumbled Half tsp black sesame seeds (toasted) For the dressing: 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil Juice of half a lemon (1 tbsp) 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional) Pinch of chilli flakes Pinch of salt and pepper Method Peel and pit the lychees. Split the flesh into halves. Peel and cut the cucumber lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and dice into bite-sized pieces. Halve the onion and cut into paper thin crescents. Wash and dry the mint leaves. To assemble the salad, combine the lychees, cucumber, onion and mint leaves in a bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the salad. Top with crumbled feta and garnish with a sprinkle of black sesame seeds. Serve chilled. LYCHEE CHIA PUDDING Serves 4 small portions Ingredients 600ml coconut milk* Half tsp lemon zest 4-6 tsp sugar or sweetener of choice like monk fruit Half tsp vanilla extract 6 tbsp chia seeds 10 lychees, peeled and chopped Edible flowers for garnish Method In a pan, warm the coconut milk with lemon zest and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Mix in the vanilla extract. Add the chia seeds, half the chopped lychees and stir well. Divide this mixture between 4 glasses covered with aluminium foil or in glass jars with lids. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow the pudding to set. Top with the remaining chopped lychees. Garnish with an edible flower. Serve chilled. *You can also use vanilla-flavoured sweetened almond milk instead of coconut milk and omit the sugar. Also read: Puranpoli baklava and bombil tacos add fun and flavour to Marathi dining Double Tested is a fortnightly column on vegetarian cooking, highlighting a single ingredient prepared two ways. Nandita Iyer's latest book is The Great Indian Thali. She posts @saffrontrail on Instagram and X.

Lifestyle Announces its Biggest Sale of the Season with Tamannaah Bhatia Featured in the New Campaign
Lifestyle Announces its Biggest Sale of the Season with Tamannaah Bhatia Featured in the New Campaign

Fashion Value Chain

time3 hours ago

  • Fashion Value Chain

Lifestyle Announces its Biggest Sale of the Season with Tamannaah Bhatia Featured in the New Campaign

Lifestyle, one of Indias leading fashion destinations, is rolling out its much-awaited End of Season Sale (EOSS), offering shoppers up to 50% off across a wide range of fashion-forward products. Additionally, there is a special offer for HDFC credit card holders, who get an instant 10%* discount. * T&C Apply. Tamannaah Bhatia brings effortless style to Lifestyle's End of Season Sale, now at up to 50% off Adding even more excitement to the season, Lifestyle has partnered with Tamannaah Bhatia exclusively for this campaign. Known for her effortless charm and pan-India appeal, Tamannaah brings her unique blend of glamour and relatability to the new campaign. With an extensive selection of the latest trends and fashion choices from leading national and international brands, the Lifestyle Sale offers fashion-conscious shoppers access to a wide range of wardrobe upgrades at unmatched value. This season's collection blends fresh, summer-ready designs with classic pieces, offering something for every shopper whether looking for premium style or everyday fashion. What makes this sale even more relevant is Lifestyle is transforming the fashion landscape by making premium and high-fashion products more accessible, creating a space where value and style go hand in hand. Furthermore, the brand's new campaign film featuring Tamannaah Bhatia is a vibrant, high-on-style showcase of looks from some of Lifestyle's most loved brands. The concept highlights her versatility-whether its a chic all-black outfit or a festive ethnic ensemble, Tamannaah effortlessly makes each look her own. The film captures the spirit of the season, blending trend-forward fashion with her signature charm Ritesh Mishra, President – Deputy CEO at Lifestyle, said, 'Our campaign invites shoppers to explore the latest fashion trends through Lifestyle's End of Season Sale. With a collection that blends style and accessibility, Tamannaah brings the campaign to life, inspiring everyone to express their unique style with confidence.' Tamannaah Bhatia, Indian actress, said, 'Ibelieve that fashion is not just about trends, but about expressing who you are. What I love about Lifestyle's Sale is that it makes premium, on-trend fashion accessible to everyone, empowering people to embrace their individuality with confidence.' Lifestyles sale presents a great opportunity for trendsetters to shop the newest styles from over 300 top brands-including Biba, Global Desi, Jack & Jones, Indian Terrain, Park Avenue, Pepe Jeans, AND, Melange, Ginger, FORCA, CODE, Puma, Adidas, Fossil, Armani Exchange, Maybelline, L'Oral, and more. Shoppers can take their pick from seasonal must-haves in apparel, beauty, watches, fragrances, footwear, handbags, and accessories-all at attractive prices.

Lisa Haydon Is the Face of Nykaa Luxe's New Era of Beauty
Lisa Haydon Is the Face of Nykaa Luxe's New Era of Beauty

Fashion Value Chain

time3 hours ago

  • Fashion Value Chain

Lisa Haydon Is the Face of Nykaa Luxe's New Era of Beauty

Nykaa Luxe, India's top destination for luxury beauty, unveils a new campaign with model and actress Lisa Haydon as its muse—signifying a fresh era of global beauty rooted in Indian identity. The campaign captures Nykaa Luxe's elevated vision: indulgent, intentional, and inclusive of the world's most coveted beauty icons. Lisa Haydon brings quiet glamour and understated power to the screen in a visually stunning campaign directed by Shivin & Sunny and shot by Taras Taraporvala, with makeup by Loveleen Ramchandani, hair by Hiral Bhatia, and styling by Priyanka Kapadia. Set against an editorial backdrop, Lisa flows through scenes of radiant skin, magnetic eyes, and refined elegance—showcasing hero products across skincare, makeup, and fragrance. 'Beauty is about confidence and authenticity. Nykaa Luxe isn't just a platform for premium products—it's an experience that inspires self-expression,' says Lisa Haydon. Nykaa Luxe's portfolio spans over 150 luxury beauty brands, including Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel, Dior Beauty, Jo Malone London, Obagi, Dr. Barbara Sturm, and GHD, available across 76 Luxe stores and its omnichannel platforms. A Nykaa spokesperson adds: 'Indian beauty consumers now seek more than products—they want immersive, global-standard experiences. Lisa reflects our vision of quiet confidence and elevated expression.' Beyond products, Nykaa Luxe is shaping India's beauty landscape through initiatives like: Fragtok – India's first fragrance creator incubator Nykaa Academy – launching expert-led mini-courses via Nykaa Play, with legends like Baltasar González Pinel guiding next-gen artists With this campaign, Nykaa Luxe positions beauty as a form of identity—not status—inviting users to define luxury on their own terms.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store