Comfort Food Abroad: 8 Easy Indian Recipes for NRIs Missing Home-Cooked Meals

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), living abroad often comes with the challenge of longing for the comfort of home-cooked Indian meals. Whether it’s the aroma of simmering spices or the taste of your mother’s signature dal, food holds an emotional connection that bridges the distance from home. However, balancing work, studies, or family life often leaves little time for elaborate cooking. Fortunately, with a little planning and the right recipes, recreating authentic Indian flavors in a foreign kitchen can be simple and satisfying.

This article presents easy Indian recipes tailored to the busy schedules of NRIs, featuring dishes that are comforting, flavorful, and use commonly available ingredients abroad.

1. Dal Tadka: A Bowl of Warmth

Dal Tadka, a staple in Indian households, is a simple yet wholesome dish made with lentils and tempered spices. It’s nutritious, quick to make, and incredibly versatile, pairing perfectly with rice or flatbread.

Ingredients:

• Lentils (Toor Dal or Masoor Dal)
• Onion, tomato, garlic, and ginger
• Mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, red chili powder, and coriander

Quick Steps:

1. Pressure cook the lentils with water, turmeric, and salt.
2. Prepare a tempering with oil, mustard seeds, cumin, chopped garlic, onion, and tomatoes.
3. Mix the tempered spices into the cooked dal and simmer for a few minutes.
4. Serve hot with steamed rice or roti.

Pro Tip: If you can’t find Indian lentils in your area, red lentils (readily available globally) are a great substitute.

2. Vegetable Pulao: A One-Pot Wonder

Vegetable Pulao is a quick and nutritious one-pot dish, perfect for a weekday meal or a packed lunch.

Ingredients:

• Basmati rice
• Mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans)
• Whole spices (bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon)
• Onion, garlic, ginger, and green chilies

Quick Steps:

1. Sauté whole spices in oil or ghee. Add chopped onions, garlic, and ginger.
2. Toss in the vegetables and basmati rice, mixing well.
3. Add water, salt, and cook on low heat until the rice is tender.
4. Garnish with fried onions or fresh coriander.

Pro Tip: Frozen vegetables can be used to save time without compromising flavor.

3. Aloo Paratha: Comfort in Every Bite

Aloo Paratha, a stuffed flatbread filled with spiced mashed potatoes, is a beloved Indian breakfast that doubles as a comfort food for any time of the day.

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour for the dough
• Boiled potatoes
• Spices (cumin, coriander, garam masala, amchur)

Quick Steps:

1. Prepare the dough with wheat flour and water.
2. Mix boiled potatoes with spices and form small portions.
3. Roll out the dough, stuff it with the potato mixture, and seal the edges.
4. Cook the paratha on a hot griddle with butter or ghee.

Pro Tip: Serve with yogurt, pickles, or ketchup for an extra kick.

4. Chicken Curry: A Taste of Home

A simple chicken curry can bring the essence of Indian cuisine to your table, with its rich, aromatic gravy.

Ingredients:

• Chicken pieces
• Onion, tomato, garlic, and ginger
• Spices (coriander, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, red chili powder)

Quick Steps:

1. Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger in oil until golden brown.
2. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft.
3. Add the spices and chicken, stirring well to coat.
4. Simmer with water until the chicken is tender and the gravy thickens.

Pro Tip: Coconut milk can be added for a creamy variation of the curry.

5. Paneer Bhurji: Protein-Packed and Easy

Paneer Bhurji, a scrambled cottage cheese dish, is quick to prepare and packed with protein.

Ingredients:

• Paneer (cottage cheese)
• Onion, tomato, green chili, and capsicum
• Spices (cumin, turmeric, garam masala)

Quick Steps:

1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté cumin, onions, tomatoes, and capsicum.
2. Crumble paneer and add it to the mix along with the spices.
3. Cook for a few minutes and serve hot with bread or roti.

Pro Tip: If paneer is unavailable, tofu makes an excellent substitute.

6. Chole: Spicy Chickpea Delight

Chole, a spicy chickpea curry, is a hearty and comforting dish that pairs beautifully with rice or naan.

Ingredients:

• Canned or boiled chickpeas
• Onion, tomato, garlic, and ginger
• Spices (coriander, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, and amchur)

Quick Steps:

1. Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger in oil.
2. Add tomatoes, followed by the spices.
3. Toss in the chickpeas and simmer with water until the gravy thickens.

Pro Tip: Canned chickpeas cut down on cooking time while retaining authentic flavors.

7. Upma: A South Indian Breakfast Staple

Upma is a quick and healthy semolina dish, perfect for a warm breakfast or light dinner.

Ingredients:

• Semolina (Rava)
• Mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies
• Onion and mixed vegetables

Quick Steps:

1. Roast semolina lightly and set aside.
2. Sauté mustard seeds, curry leaves, onion, and vegetables in oil.
3. Add water, salt, and roasted semolina, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
4. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot.

Pro Tip: Squeeze a little lemon juice for an added tangy flavor.

8. Masala Chai: The Ultimate Comfort Drink

No Indian meal is complete without a cup of masala chai, a spiced tea that warms the soul.

Ingredients:

• Tea leaves
• Milk and water
• Spices (cardamom, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon)

Quick Steps:

1. Boil water with spices and tea leaves.
2. Add milk and sugar, and simmer for a few minutes.
3. Strain and serve hot.

Pro Tip: Adjust the spice levels to suit your preference.

Tips for Cooking Indian Food Abroad

• Stock Up on Essentials: Look for Indian grocery stores or international aisles in supermarkets for staples like lentils, spices, rice, and paneer.
• Experiment with Substitutes: Use locally available ingredients like Greek yogurt instead of curd or red lentils instead of toor dal.
• Meal Prep: Cook in batches and freeze portions to save time during busy weekdays.
• Invest in Basic Tools: A pressure cooker and a spice grinder are invaluable for authentic Indian cooking.

For NRIs, food is more than sustenance—it’s a connection to home. Recreating familiar Indian dishes in a foreign land doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With simple recipes, readily available ingredients, and a dash of creativity, you can bring the essence of India into your kitchen. Whether it’s the warmth of dal, the richness of chicken curry, or the nostalgia of chai, these recipes are sure to make you feel closer to home, one meal at a time.