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Food is like the ultimate love language, a gesture—it speaks straight to the heart. It’s one of those little joys in life that needs no borders and brings people together in the best way possible. And if there's a place that knows how to bring different cuisines together, it's Calgary. From lipsmackin street food to five star delights, this city is home to numerous restaurants serving unique dishes that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Often coming across Indian cuisine in Calgary, you might have tried various curries, vegetable-based dishes, non-vegetarian dishes, and desserts that complete your feasts just the right way. But often, people haven’t explored the wide variety of breads or roti and their similarities that pair well with these dishes. This article explores a range of Indian flatbreads and how you can pair them for the perfect punch of flavor.
Types of Indian Flatbreads
Indian food is incomplete without flatbreads! Flatbreads are closely knit to our culture and cuisine, with deep sentiments attached to every variety's preparation. Some flatbreads have gained popularity compared to others. In contrast, other varieties are a little underrated due to their flavor complexity and confusion among non-natives on how to pair them.
But we can assure you that Indian flatbreads have many flavors and are prepared using age-old recipes. Keep reading further to learn more about the crown of authentic Indian cuisine in Calgary and what pairs the best with them.
1. Chapati - Let’s start on this beautiful note. Chapati is a common word you’ll hear when you visit an Indian restaurant in Calgary or an Indian friend’s house. Chapati is the most basic of all flatbreads in Indian cuisine and is consumed as a part of daily diet. It features a thin, flat, and round bread that is made by kneading wheat flour with water until soft and knotless. The dough is then divided into pieces and rolled to form small balls, which are then rolled into thin rounds. It is then cooked over a tawa or griddle until it puffs up with steam inside.
How to Pair? - Wheat roti is versatile and can be enjoyed with almost every Indian dish, including curries, stews, dry vegetables, and lentil soups. If you are looking to try the best Indian cuisine in Calgary, do not miss out on Gate of India Calgary’s magical menu!
2. Tandoori Roti -Tandoori roti is just normal wheat roti prepared using a traditional oven, also called Tandoor. The kneading and rolling of the dough is similar to normal tawa roti, but the baking is done in a traditional tandoor, which gives the roti a charred and smoky flavor. The dough is rolled into thin rounds and then slapped on the inner walls of the hot tandoor. The intense heat gives the roti its unique, slightly crispy exterior with soft, fluffy layers inside and a signature charred look.
How to Pair? - Tandoori roti is best enjoyed with rich gravies, kebabs, and curries, soaking up flavors while adding a subtle smokiness to every bite. It’s a popular choice in Indian catering in Calgary, adding an exciting punch of flavor to every dish served.
3. Butter Naan - Butter naan has gained popularity in recent years for its comforting appeal and chewy texture, which pairs very well with thick gravies and hearty dishes. At our Indian restaurant in Calgary, we make the naan by kneading refined wheat flour with yogurt, a pinch of salt, and yeast. The dough is rolled out and cooked in a hot tandoor oven, giving the naan its signature blisters and smoky aroma. Once out of the oven, it’s brushed with melted butter, adding a layer of richness and shine.
How to Pair? - You’ve probably heard a lot of the popular pairing of butter naan with butter chicken, a favorite among Indian food lovers. This comforting duo is a perfect match, but are you aware that butter naan also pairs well with other rich gravies, velvety vegetable dishes, and creamy lentil curries?
And yes! Do not forget to try the popular butter chicken and butter naan at your favorite Indian restaurant in Calgary—Gate of India!
4. Garlic Naan - Garlic naan is one of the most popular types of flatbreads at our Indian restaurant in Calgary, and it is loved for its rich flavor profile. The dough is kneaded in a similar way to butter naan but with a flavorful twist—the addition of chopped garlic and fresh coriander. It’s baked in a hot, traditional tandoor oven, and once out, the garlic naan is brushed with butter for extra richness.
How to Pair? - According to our culinary experts at Gate of India, we recommend pairing this delicious flatbread with spicy dishes and creamy curries like Kadai chicken, Mutton Rogan Josh, Palak Paneer, Malai Kofta, and Prawn Malai Curry for a burst of authentic Indian flavors. If you’re planning an Indian catering in Calgary, don’t miss out on this versatile flatbread for the ultimate flavor feast.
5. Peshwari Naan - Peshwari naan is a sweet and flavorful flatbread, that is associated with both Indian and Pakistani cuisines that is known for its unique filling of dried fruits and nuts. Made from refined flour and a bit of yogurt or milk for softness, the dough is rolled out and stuffed with a mixture of almonds, pistachios, raisins, coconut, and sometimes sugar. After filling, it’s baked in a hot tandoor, where it develops a soft, fluffy texture with a slightly crispy outer layer.
How to Pair? - Peshwari naan is a popular choice at our Indian restaurant in Calgary and pairs exceptionally well with spicy dishes as it balances the heat levels in the dishes with its sweet, nutty texture.
At Gate of India, your friendly neighborhood restaurant, we offer a wide range of authentic Indian food in Calgary, featuring dishes from various regions of the country. Each dish hails from a beloved land of flavors and spices, showcasing its own specialties and unique offerings. We bring the best flavors together, hoping our guests can taste the richness and beauty of our traditional cuisine while sitting in Calgary.
We assure you that our menu is versatile and offers a range of dishes that will keep you coming back for more.