Deutsch: Tandoori / Español: Tandoori / Português: Tandoori / Français: Tandoori / Italiano: Tandoori

Tandoori refers to a style of Indian cooking that involves marinating meat, vegetables, or paneer (Indian cheese) in a mixture of yoghurt and spices and then cooking them in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven that is heated with wood or charcoal. The term "tandoori" can describe both the cooking method and the dishes prepared using this technique. Tandoori dishes are known for their smoky flavour, tender texture, and vibrant red or orange colour, often achieved using spices like turmeric, paprika, and cayenne pepper.

General Description

Tandoori cooking is a traditional technique that originated in the Indian subcontinent and has become popular worldwide. The tandoor oven reaches very high temperatures, often exceeding 480°C (900°F), allowing the food to cook quickly while retaining moisture and developing a distinct charred flavour. The high heat also creates a crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy and tender.

The tandoori marinade typically includes:

• Yoghurt: Acts as a base and tenderiser, helping the spices penetrate the food and keeping it moist during cooking.
• Spices: A blend of spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, chilli powder, garam masala, and fenugreek leaves, which give the dish its characteristic aroma and colour.
• Aromatics: Garlic, ginger, lemon juice, and sometimes fresh herbs like cilantro or mint are added for flavour.

Some popular tandoori dishes include:

• Tandoori Chicken: Chicken pieces marinated in the tandoori spice mixture and yoghurt, then grilled in a tandoor until charred and smoky.
• Tandoori Paneer Tikka: Cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) marinated in spices and yoghurt, skewered with vegetables like onions, peppers, and tomatoes, and cooked in the tandoor.
• Tandoori Naan: Leavened flatbread that is slapped against the walls of the tandoor oven, where it bakes quickly, developing a chewy texture with a slight char.
• Tandoori Roti: A type of unleavened whole wheat bread, also cooked in the tandoor for a crispy outer layer and soft inside.

Application Areas

• Indian Restaurants: Tandoori dishes are a staple in Indian cuisine, commonly found in Indian restaurants worldwide.
• Home Cooking: With modern kitchen appliances like ovens and grills, tandoori-style cooking can be adapted for home kitchens.
• Street Food and Barbecues: Popular as street food in India and often prepared at barbecues, where the smoky flavours can be replicated.
• Fusion Cuisine: Tandoori flavours have been incorporated into fusion dishes, such as tandoori pizza or tandoori chicken sandwiches.

Well-Known Examples

• Tandoori Chicken: Marinated chicken pieces cooked in a tandoor, often served with naan, rice, and chutneys.
• Chicken Tikka: Boneless pieces of chicken marinated in a similar tandoori mixture, skewered, and grilled.
• Paneer Tikka: Marinated paneer cheese grilled to perfection, served as an appetiser or snack.
• Tandoori Prawns: Prawns marinated with a tandoori spice mix, skewered, and grilled until charred and juicy.
• Butter Naan: A soft, buttery flatbread made in the tandoor, often served with curries.

Treatment and Risks

• High Heat: Cooking in a tandoor requires very high temperatures, so care must be taken to avoid burns or overcooking.
• Marinating Time: Proper marinating is essential to ensure the flavours penetrate and tenderise the food; this typically requires several hours or overnight.
• Charred Foods: While charring adds flavour, consuming large amounts of heavily charred or burnt foods may have health risks.

Similar Terms

• Grilled: A broader cooking method involving direct heat from a grill, similar to tandoori but typically not using a clay oven.
• Barbecue (BBQ): Cooking food over an open flame, similar to the tandoori technique but typically involving different marinades and spices.
• Shashlik: A type of skewered and grilled meat found in Central Asian and Russian cuisines, comparable to tandoori kebabs.

Summary

Tandoori refers to a style of Indian cooking that involves marinating food in a spiced yoghurt mixture and cooking it in a tandoor oven. Known for its smoky flavour, charred texture, and vibrant colour, tandoori dishes like chicken, paneer, and naan are enjoyed worldwide and are central to Indian cuisine.

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