Many British kids are hesitant about trying spicy foods from other cultures, so it can be a challenge to get them to embrace the flavours of Indian food. But introducing them to the right dishes can help them develop a taste for Indian cuisine, opening their eyes to an array of new meals. Here are some of the best options for kids.
A Note on Cooking
Cooking with your kids can help them to appreciate their food and how it’s made. It also allows them to handle and smell ingredients before they taste them. Assigning age-appropriate tasks in the kitchen while you make the dishes is a great way to help them develop an interest in eating the finished meal.
1. Homemade Naan
It’s hard to go wrong with a homemade naan – after all, this pillowy soft bread is similar to what kids will already be familiar with. You can even add a touch of honey to the bread to create a sweeter version, or add plenty of garlic butter if that’s a flavour they’re familiar with.
2. Pilaw Rice
Rice is another familiar food that serves as a great introduction to Indian cuisine. The spices are fragrant rather than hot, and the dish can be served on its own with a selection of veggies mixed in, or as an accompaniment to a meat dish.
3. Chicken Korma
One of the most mild Indian dishes, korma is made with yoghurt or cream, nuts and spices such as garlic, ginger and turmeric. It’s easy to adjust the flavour by adding more yoghurt or smaller quantities of spices, making it a great choice for kids who aren’t very adventurous when it comes to spice.
4. Sag Aloo
This potato and spinach dish makes for a tasty side or main, and its heat can be scaled back according to your kids’ palates. Combining potatoes and spinach cooked in fragrant spices, it’s quick to rustle up and provides a perfect introduction to Indian flavours.
5. Chana Mossala
Protein-packed, healthy and flavoursome, this dish is made with onions, chickpeas, fresh tomatoes and spices. Whole spices including bay, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom impart warming tones and you can adapt the amount of ground spices you add according to your little ones’ tastes.
6. Dall Makani
Rich and creamy, this North Indian dish is made with black lentils and kidney beans and can be served with rice or naan. It’s generally mild so there may not be any need to adjust the recipe, but it’s a flavoursome option for anyone trying Indian for the first time.
7. Jeera Chicken
This tender diced chicken cooked in a cumin seed sauce is tasty but without the heat that some other Indian dishes have. Made with cinnamon, cumin seeds, and garam masala, it’s delicious served with roti.
Introduce your kids to Indian
Here at Little India London, we love sharing our authentic cuisine with adults and kids alike. Our staff will happily recommend dishes to suit children, whatever their preferences, enabling them to enjoy Little India food as much as their grown-ups. Reserve your table at Little India Kensington today to discover traditional Indian flavours and specialities.
