Indian food in Britain can be traced back to the colonial period. British officers and soldiers stationed in India acquired a taste for its traditional dishes and brought back spices and recipe ideas to the UK. Upper-class households not only had access to turmeric, cumin and cardamom, some even brought Indian chefs home with them to ensure they could still enjoy the cuisine.
This early exposure to Indian food laid the foundation for its eventual popularity in Britain. Of course, British dishes later started to develop too, using some of the vibrant spices that originate in the Indian subcontinent. Here are five British dishes inspired by Indian cuisine.
1. Chicken Tikka Masala
One of the most popular choices in Indian restaurants and takeaways is Chicken Tikka Masala. But it’s well-known among curry connoisseurs that this dish doesn’t originate from India. It was instead invented in the UK by Indian chefs. With a creamy, spiced, tomato-based sauce that’s relatively mild compared to other Indian dishes, Chicken Tikka Masala was created to suit British tastes.
2. Korma
While Brits can’t take credit for the classic Indian Korma, the dishes served in the UK tend to be a lot different to the original Indian recipes. The Indian dish is made with a blend of chillies and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and cloves as well as yoghurt or coconut milk to create a creamy texture. Some versions are much spicier than the dishes served in the UK which tend to use a greater amount of cream and less chilli peppers.
3. Coronation chicken
So-named because it was served at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation luncheon, coronation chicken was created by Rosemary Hume. While Indian spices were not widely available in the UK during the 1950s, curry powder was added to the sauce to add vibrancy and to give a nod to both King George V and Queen Victoria, who both enjoyed Indian cuisine. Today, it’s a much simpler food, mixing curry powder with mayonnaise, raisins, almonds and mango chutney.
4. Balti
It’s widely believed that the well-known Balti was created by South Asian chefs in Birmingham. Influenced by the cooking styles of Pakistan and North India, the name Balti comes from the type of cooking vessel that’s used to cook and serve the dish. By quickly stir-frying ingredients, Baltis retain their freshness. Local chefs now adapt the dish to suit British tastes, using local ingredients and creating milder alternatives.
5. Mulligatawny Soup
Many of the soups we know and love in the UK are inspired by traditional Indian alternatives. Mulligatawny Soup, for instance, shares similarities with a recipe from South India which is made using lentils, vegetables, meat (chicken or lamb), spices and either cream or coconut milk. The British version tends to be a lot creamier and is typically served with chunky slices of bread.
When it comes to Indian cuisine in London, few restaurants offer an experience like Little India. Our restaurant serves a wide range of authentic dishes, each made with the freshest ingredients and with the expertise of our trained chefs. Indian cuisine doesn’t get much better, so book your table today.