Indian Salad

Photo and recipe courtesy: Dr. Debarshi Chatterji

In India, we usually serve Salad as a side dish. They are not the usual appetizer or main course salads, rather they are served as an accompaniment to the main course. Indian main course varies from region to region, but mainly it consists of a soup (dal), a portion of sautéed vegetables (Sabji), a curry prepared with a protein (fish or mutton curry) with rice or flatbreads (roti). This is served with a side dish of freshly available sliced vegetables like tomato, cucumber, onion, carrot etc. Depending on personal preference, you may want to include some fruits or even sprinkle a few drops of lemon or lime on this salad. Although this salad goes great with any Indian main course, I love to serve this with mutton or chicken curries and crispy hot Parathas.

Ingredients:

• Tomatoes – 3, medium
• Cucumber – 1, firm
• Onion – 1, medium, red 
• Grapes or Olives – a handful (optional)
• Carrots – baby carrots, a handful
• Green Chilies – 6-7
• Plate/ Platter to arrange the salad

Directions:

• Always choose fresh vegetables. Wash them and let them dry a bit (or wipe them with a paper towel).
• Choose a sharp knife and carefully start slicing the vegetables. For cucumber, you may choose to peel or leave the skin on. Make sure the slices are thin and even.
• Start plating, arrange the tomato slices on the outer edge of the plate. Fill the inner circles with slices of cucumber, onion, carrots, grapes and green chilies.
• Serve the salad with your main course and enjoy.

Recommended Reading:

• Alur Dom (Bengali recipe: Potatoes with gravy)
• Alu Borir Torkari (Potatoes with sun dried Lentil Dumplings)
• Bhindi Kalonji – Okra with Indian spices
• Alu Tamatar Sabji (Curried Potatoes with Tomatoes)
• Masala Alu (Stir fried Potatoes with Indian spices)
• Alu Chochori (Bengali recipe: Potatoes with Indian Spices)
• Gajar Alu Matar (Curried Carrots and Potatoes with Peas)
• Chole Bhature (Chickpea curry with fried bread)
• Alu Kopir Torkari (Potatoes with Cauliflower Stir Fry/ Curry)
• Alu Bhindi (Bengali Torkari - Potatoes with Okra stir fry)
• Achari Mutton
• Alu Kumro (Bengali Torkari - Potatoes with Pumpkin stir fry)
• Alu Shimla Mirch Sabji (Potatoes with Bell Peppers Stir Fry)
• Grilled Salmon with Shrimp and Peppers
• Grilled Lamb Kababs
• Rajma (Indian curry with Red Kidney Beans)
• Baingan ka Bharta (Punjabi recipe: Eggplant with Onion and Garlic)
• Mangshor Jhol (Bengali Style Mutton Curry)
• Butter Chicken (Indian Recipe: Chicken pieces in a creamy buttery gravy)
• Paneer Alu Pulao (Rice with Fresh Cheese and Potato)
• Kadhi (Gram Flour Fritters in Yogurt Sauce)
• Doi Mach (Bengali Recipe: Succulent Fried Fish in Yogurt Gravy)
• One Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
• Methi Saag Paratha (Fenugreek leaves fried Flat Breads)
• French Paratha (Potatoes with Chicken stuffed Paratha)
• Tandoori Roti
• Plain Paratha (Fried Flat Bread)
• Masala Kachori (Indian Puffed Bread with Spices)
• Kasuri Methi Paratha (Fried Flatbread with dried Fenugreek Leaves)
• Luchi – Deep Fried Puffed Bread
• Kabiraji Paratha (Fried bread stuffed with Potatoes and Egg)
• Debarshi’s Alu ka Paratha (Fried Bread stuffed with Potatoes)
• Boondi Raita
• Chicken Masala
• Matar Pulao (Yellow Rice with Peas)
• Mushroom Salad with Fried Eggs
• Kalo Jeere diye Alur Torkari (Bengali recipe: Potatoes with Nigella Seeds)
• Amritsari Chole (Delicious Chick Pea gravy with Fresh Cheese)
• Dahi Chicken (Seared Chicken in Yogurt Gravy)
• Kopi Alur Chochchori (Bengali recipe: Stir fried Cauliflower with Potatoes)
• Namkeen Puri (Deep Fried Savory Puffed Bread)
• Arhar Dal (Toor Dal or Split Yellow Pigeon Peas Soup)
• Niramish Alur Dom (Potato Gravy Without Onion and Garlic)
• Alu Kulcha (Indian Flat Bread with Potato Filling)