Vegetarians sometimes find it hard to munch frequently in India, while most of the population continues to dominate the gastronomic market. According to the latest reports, more than 70% of the citizens rely on non-veg items throughout their lifetime. So, if you are finding it hard to find a fulfilling veg platter nearby, then you are not alone.
Some common challenges of a pure vegetarian are-
- Chalking out platters as nutrient boosters– we all know that a plant-based meal lacks the essential minerals and vitamins that are easily found in animal platters.
- Social isolation and miscommunication– veg lovers find it hard to communicate when it comes to making people understand what it is that they want to relish. Secondly, they find it intimidating when dining with a majority of non-vegetarians, leading to social isolation.
- Ingredient and labeling concerns- Another pain point where vegetarians struggle to identify whether a platter contains animal-derived ingredients or not. Secondly, labeling of packaged items is already complex, and extracting non-veg information from them seems impossible.
- Preparing meals and bringing out good taste– Cooking food with vegetables seems a time-consuming session as compared to non-veg counterparts. It requires solid planning towards prepping up a veg meal. This challenge compels vegetarians, especially people who are staying away from their families, to order veg meals from online delivery platforms or seek solutions from takeaways.
- Managing with skepticism and criticism—Sometimes, vegetarians deal with criticism from non-vegetarians, who mock them for following a plant-based diet. Here, standing one’s ground and responding with compassion and confidence needs a significant push.
- Researching Pure Veg Restaurants is a pain too- These days smart platforms like Swiggy are making the lives of vegetarians easier by evangelizing on the nearby restaurants that best serve delicious veg platters. But think about the era before Swiggy, where people needed to go down to different places and discover the spots.
Amidst the challenges, people did chalk out some lip-smacking veg platters which not only fulfill their taste buds but tantalizing for non-vegetarians too. The good news is- this blog is going to unleash those platters in the column below. Read on to set sail on a “planti-ful” expedition-
- Rajasthani Dal Bati and Churma– This toothsome veg recipe is a very traditional one from Rajasthan. The Baatis are crafted from whole wheat flour, ghee, and sooji with the inclusion of ajwain, which synchronizes to the palatable flavor of the baati. On the other hand, the “dal” is usually a conflux of multiple lentils, through which the chefs try to bring variation to the table. Can be consumed as a fulfilling lunch.
- Idly Sambhar– A very fulfilling South Indian breakfast. The reason behind its mass fan following among both vegetarians and non-vegetarians is that this dish talks about all healthy stuff. It is served as soft fluffy steamed cakes (idli) and sambhar- which is a delectable lentil stew.
- Dosa with Sambhar– Another South Indian masterpiece that falls on the top vegetarian list. Be it as lunch or a light dinner, dosa with sambar and coconut chutney will just suit your appetite as well as surpass the expectations of your tastebuds.
Dosas come in various formats and their nomenclature depends on the stuffing that is being cooked by the chef. Its most generic variations are- masala dosa, panner dosa, onion dosa, etc.
- Medu Vada with Coconut Vada– Hands down, you can consider this item as a fulfilling breakfast if you are a vegetarian. This deep-fried lentil platter is served in the form of a donut-shaped item with Sambhar and coconut chutney. They also make a regular breakfast combo with Idlis.
- Sarson ka Saag and Makke ki Roti– This happens to be the most sought-after vegetarian dish in Punjab. This palatable saag is served with makke ki roti (bread obtained from cornmeal). Its best savored during the winter season and is available at almost all restaurants that serve traditional platters.
- Ragda Patties– Well, why not discuss some veg dishes influenced by street food? It’s a native dish from the West i.e. Mumbai and Gujarat region. Ragda is prepared with white peas, whose alternative name is matar or vatana. Chefs make Ragda by seasoning cooked white peas with mustard seeds and curry leaves. To enhance the richness of its taste, it is treated with jaggery and tamarind paste.
Patties are crafted with boiled and mashed potatoes. The wholesome platter is then served as cooked patties with Ragda and hot tamarind chutneys. It’s a protein-rich yet palatable item that has to be on your priority list any day.
- Rajma Chawal– This recipe can be considered as a one-pot wholesome meal that’s flavor-packed and delectable. Here kidney beans are smoldered in an aromatic curry base possessing vibrant North Indian spices, onions, herbs, and tomatoes. The dish technically goes by the nomenclature of “Rajma Masala” but when served with basmati rice it is called Rajma Chawal.
If you are a nutrient freak this is a golden platter for you as it comes as 100% plant-based, gluten-free, and one can also cook at home in 45 mins. For some people who don’t possess a pressure cooker, they can go for canned red kidney beans as a solution.
- Pav Bhaji– Another western iconic bread item in this veg list, Pav Bhaji’s inception took place in Maharashtra. Here are the two parts to it- (a) Bhaji is the cooked vegetables in diced onion and tomato masala with catchy spices whereas (2) Pav is the wide variety of breads (generally small in shape). This combo is a widely celebrated item across the country and people can opt for this dish during weekend parties, family gatherings, etc.
- Kadhi Chawal– It’s a very unique dish that is prepared with gram flour and sour yogurt. Kadhi is a favorite dish both in North and Western India. And they come is a wide range of forms- Kadhi pakodi, Sindhi kadhi, mangodi ki kadhi, Rajasthani kadhi, etc.
The preparation of this dish comprises deep-fried balls of gram flour paste, dipped in yogurt-based gravy. Kadhi best compliments plain rice (i.e. coined as chawal). If you like to experiment at some point, you can do that with roti, papad, and salad with this dish to give a more contrasting taste.
Conclusion
Look, your expedition of unveiling the top veg platters available in India is not meant to be painful. In fact, with the right set of tools and people around, you can get hold of the correct information and immerse yourself in a successful and fulfilling journey. At least fulfilling to your appetite. And by tools, it is meant by new-age and smart platforms like Swiggy. A great way to start your journey would be to chalk out the dishes that you would like to taste and order them based on the consumer reviews, or just suggestions from your friends or family.
The platters described above can be another way to just get started too. And through the Swiggy website, you might just save your bank balance with all those coupons and bank offers that it highlights from time to time. This is one of the very smart features that makes it the most preferred platform for food delivery in India. Secondly, with numerous payment modes and seamless UI, you don’t even have to be tech-savvy to navigate through the checkout. Customization is crucial when you will be ordering your veg combos and this website is the ultimate one ever, hands down!
Voila! You are all ready to venture into a plant-based culinary expedition and you can make your next order veg food online if you have read this column. Good Luck.
