Taste Of India

Indian thalis, or set meals, are as varied and diverse as the land and the people themselves. Chef Abhinanda Bhattacharya tells you how.

THE INDIAN food theory says that our menus comprise six distinct flavours: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, astringent, and spicy. The thali beautifully captures this philosophy, irrespective of its place of origin. Every Indian state boasts its own prolific circular platter of bowls filled with goodness and culture. Here, the thalis reflect the souls of the people. You soak in the essence of grandmotherly tête-à-têtes as you navigate through the dishes. Each recipe has a story—try and capture the balance of flavours and understand the science behind it. And in doing so, you truly learn about India.

Bold Flavours of the North