A while ago, we shared how Shahi Paneer and Paneer Tikka had earned their place among the crème de la crème of global cheese dishes, securing spots in the prestigious Top 10 list. Other beloved paneer-based delicacies also made their way into the Top 50. Read more about it here. And now, the time has come for Indian cuisine to once again take centerstage on the world culinary map, thanks to its representation in the recently published list of the Best Traditional Vegan Dishes by Taste Atlas, a renowned food guide platform.
While foreign fare dominated the coveted top 10 slots, featuring the likes of guacamole, hummus, and spaghetti aglio e olio, the 11th spot was proudly occupied by the delectable Misal Pav from the state of Maharashtra in India.
For those unfamiliar with it, 'misal' is a fiery curry-like dish made using moth beans, onions, chivda, and other flavourful ingredients. It is often enjoyed with pav, a small loaf of soft and buttery bread that is a staple in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Goa. Click here for an easy recipe for misal pav.
However, this delicious pairing wasn't the only Indian dish to earn a spot in the highly competitive top 50 list. Aloo gobi, a North Indian dish prepared with potatoes and cauliflower, landed in 20th place, followed closely by rajma in 22nd and gobi manchurian in 24th. Interestingly, rajma-chawal was also considered separately and secured a respectable 41st spot on the list.
The 27th place on the coveted list was claimed by a snack called masala vada, a savoury delicacy from the southern state of Tamil Nadu, as noted by Taste Atlas. However, the esteemed food guide platform also made it clear that different versions of this delectable snack can be found elsewhere. "This tea-time snack is usually made with a combination of chana dal, onions, ginger, curry leaves, fennel seeds, dried red-hot peppers, vegetable oil, and salt," said the website.
If the celebration over misal pav's inclusion in the top 50 list wasn't enough to thrill the citizens of Mumbai, they can now revel in another achievement: the beloved street food bhel puri bagged the 37th spot on the coveted list. Bhel puri, often categorised as a chaat item, is a mouth-watering medley of kurmura (puffed rice), onions, tomatoes, potatoes, ground nuts, sev, seasonings, and other ingredients, all smothered in a delectable blend of sweet and spicy chutneys.
Take a look at the entire list of dishes here:
Did you ever realise these were vegan dishes?