When you think of Indian cuisine, your mind might immediately conjure images of fragrant curries and aromatic rice dishes. But at Express Indian Delivered, we believe that Indian breads deserve just as much attention and appreciation. These delightful creations serve as more than mere accompaniments—they're central characters in the grand story of Indian food.
Most people are familiar with naan and chapati, but did you know that Indian cuisine boasts a remarkable variety of breads, each with its own unique preparation method, texture, and regional significance? As a family-run business passionate about authentic Indian cuisine, we're excited to take you on a journey through the lesser-known treasures of Indian bread-making traditions.
Indian cuisine is wonderfully varied across different regions, and this diversity extends beautifully to bread varieties. We take pride in representing this rich tapestry in our frozen meal selections.
In North India, where wheat is a staple crop, you'll find an abundance of wheat-based flatbreads. Beyond the familiar naan and chapati, there's kulcha, a soft, leavened bread often stuffed with spiced potatoes or paneer. Paratha is another northern favourite—flaky, multi-layered, and often stuffed with vegetables, lentils, or meat.
Southern India offers a completely different bread experience with appam, a fermented rice pancake with spongy centres and crispy edges. The region also boasts dosa, a thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter that's become popular across the entire country.
Western India contributes thepla to the breadbasket—a Gujarati flatbread made with fenugreek leaves and spices that's perfect for travel as it stays fresh for days. Meanwhile, Eastern India offers luchi, a deep-fried, puffy bread similar to poori but made with refined flour instead of whole wheat.
What makes Indian breads so fascinating is the careful balance of art and science in their creation. We've spent years perfecting our bread recipes at Express Indian Delivered, understanding that small variations in technique create vastly different results.
Take naan, for example. The distinctive bubbles and char marks come from baking in a tandoor—a traditional clay oven that reaches extraordinarily high temperatures. Without a tandoor, home cooks often struggle to recreate authentic naan. This is where our frozen naan options can bring restaurant-quality bread directly to your home.
Fermentation plays a crucial role in many Indian breads. Dosas and appams gain their characteristic tanginess and airy texture from overnight fermentation, while naan's soft interior comes from allowing yeast to work its magic.
The cooking surface also dramatically affects the final product. Chapatis puff up when cooked directly over flame, rotis develop their signature spots on a hot tava (griddle), and kulchas get their golden exterior from the intense heat of tandoor walls.
Let's explore some less familiar Indian breads that deserve your attention:
Baati: These hard, unleavened wheat rolls from Rajasthan are traditionally baked in the desert sand and then dipped in ghee. They're typically served with dal (lentils) in a dish called dal baati.
Bhakri: A rustic, unleavened flatbread made from millet flour, bhakri is a staple in rural Maharashtra and Gujarat. Its coarse texture pairs wonderfully with spicy vegetable preparations.
Sheermal: This saffron-flavoured, slightly sweet naan variety hails from Lucknow and is traditionally enjoyed with rich, slow-cooked meat dishes.
Pathiri: Popular in Kerala, particularly in Malabar cuisine, pathiri is a thin rice flour bread that complements seafood curries beautifully.
Makki di Roti: Made from cornmeal, this rustic bread from Punjab is traditionally paired with sarson da saag (mustard greens) during winter months.
Understanding which bread works best with which dish can truly enhance your Indian dining experience. We carefully consider these pairings when developing our frozen meal combinations.
Gravy-rich dishes like butter chicken or dal makhani pair perfectly with naan, which serves as an edible utensil to scoop up the delicious sauce. The soft texture of naan complements the creaminess of these dishes.
Dry vegetable preparations (sabzis) work wonderfully with rotis and chapatis, which are lighter and don't overpower the subtle flavours of the vegetables.
Stuffed breads like aloo paratha or paneer paratha often stand as meals in themselves, typically served with yogurt, pickle, and a small amount of butter.
South Indian curries, particularly those with coconut bases, pair beautifully with appam, whose slightly fermented flavour complements the tanginess of the curry.
While making authentic Indian breads at home requires practice, we've found that understanding a few key principles can help:
The right flour matters: Different breads call for different flours. Chapatis use whole wheat (atta), naan requires all-purpose flour (maida), and regional varieties might use millet, rice, or corn flours.
Proper kneading technique: Many Indian breads need well-kneaded dough for the right texture. The amount of water and kneading time varies significantly between different bread types.
Cooking temperature control: Each bread requires specific heat levels—too hot, and your bread burns; too cool, and it becomes tough rather than tender.
Rest periods are non-negotiable: Allowing dough to rest helps gluten development and improves texture.
For those times when you crave authentic Indian breads but lack the time or equipment, our ready-to-heat options provide the perfect solution.
As British palates become increasingly adventurous, we're seeing growing interest in lesser-known Indian breads. At Express Indian Delivered, we continuously explore ways to introduce these authentic varieties to UK homes.
Innovative fusion approaches are also emerging, with traditional Indian bread-making techniques being applied to local British ingredients. Meanwhile, health-conscious adaptations using multigrain flours and alternative grains are giving new life to centuries-old recipes.
Indian breads represent cultural heritage, regional identity, and culinary innovation all at once. We're proud to be part of preserving these traditions while making them accessible to modern UK households through our frozen Indian meal selections.
The next time you enjoy an Indian meal, look beyond the familiar naan and chapati. Try something new, and you might discover a whole new dimension of flavours and textures that have been waiting for you all along.
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