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Tandoori Cooking at Home & Best Places in Mira Bhayandar: Your Complete Guide

Love the smoky taste of Tandoori food? From succulent chicken tikka to fresh naan, these dishes are a favourite for many Indian food lovers.

But have you ever wondered how they’re made? Do you need a special oven at home? And for those of us in Mira Bhayandar, where can we find the absolute best tandoori locally?

Let’s find out!

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What is a Tandoor? The Secret to Authentic Flavours

Traditional tandoori dishes are cooked in a tandoor. This is a special, oval-shaped clay oven.

How it Works:

• A small fire burns at the bottom.
• The oven’s design makes heat rise slowly.
• It gets much, much hotter than a regular barbeque or home oven.
• The clay walls soak up and send out intense heat, cooking food fast and evenly.

What’s Cooked Inside:

• Naan bread sticks right to the hot inner walls.
• Meats and kebabs (meat or paneer) are usually placed vertically on skewers.
• Whole chickens can also be roasted over the fire.

No Tandoor at Home? No Problem!

A traditional tandoor isn’t practical for most home kitchens. They’re big and need a special setup.

But here’s the great news: you don’t need a tandoor at home to make amazing tandoori-style dishes!

You can easily cook these same delicious meats:

• On your barbeque for that lovely smoky char.
• In your regular oven, using the grill or broiler for browning.

A Quick Tip on Colour:

You might see bright red tandoori meats in restaurants. This colour usually comes from food dye. It’s totally unnecessary for flavour or appearance at home. Natural spice colours are beautiful!

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Why I Love Tandoori-Style Food (And You Will Too!)

I’m a big fan of tandoori-style food. Here’s why:

• Full of Flavour: It tastes rich and deep, without being too spicy (unless you like it hot!).

• Healthy & Light: Most tandoori dishes, especially chicken and paneer, are lean. They’re low in calories and won’t leave you feeling too full.

• Perfect Anytime: Great for a summer barbeque or a cozy winter meal. It’s a fantastic choice when you want something different.

• Quick to Make: Plus, it doesn’t take hours to prepare! Especially my speedy chicken tikka recipe.

While ready-made mixes exist, I find they often lack flavour. Using individual spices means you can create many other Indian dishes too!

You can easily make tandoori chicken (whole), tandoori lamb chops, or lamb tikka (kebabs). But my personal favourite is chicken tikka. It’s super quick and always a hit.

Here’s my easy home recipe:

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My Easy Tandoori Chicken Tikka Recipe (Serves 2)

Want to make more? Just multiply the ingredients!

What you’ll need:

• 2 Chicken breasts
• 1 small tub Greek yogurt (plain)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp ginger powder (or fresh ginger paste)
• ½ tsp chilli powder (add more for extra spice)
• 1 small garlic clove, crushed
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Let’s get cooking!

1. Prep the Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Put them in a mixing bowl.
   
2. Mix the Marinade: In a separate bowl, combine the Greek yogurt with cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger powder, and chilli powder. Add the crushed garlic.
   • Pro Tip for Ginger: If using fresh ginger (grated or paste), start with about ½ inch or ½ teaspoon. Fresh ginger is strong!
     
3. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken cubes to the yogurt-spice mix. Stir well to coat every piece.
   • Important! Salt & Lemon Juice: You can add salt and lemon juice now, but if you do, marinate for no more than 20 minutes. Leaving it longer with salt/lemon can make the chicken dry when cooked. For longer marinating (30 mins to overnight), add salt and lemon juice just before cooking or sprinkle on when serving.
     
4. Skewer & Cook: Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers.
   • Barbeque: Cook on a medium-hot grill. Turn often until slightly browned, a little charred, and fully cooked through (no pink inside).
   • Oven Grill/Broiler: Place skewers on a foil-lined baking tray. Cook under a preheated grill (broiler) on medium heat. Turn every few minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning! Cook until browned and cooked through.
     
5. Serve It Up:
   • Light Meal: Serve with fresh salad, warm pita or naan bread, and lemon wedges.
   • Heartier Meal: Add fluffy rice and a comforting dahl.

Enjoy your fantastic homemade tandoori!

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Craving Authentic Tandoori? Top Spots in Mira Bhayandar to Indulge!

Cooking tandoori at home is great, but sometimes you just want to relax and let the experts cook! If you’re in Mira Bhayandar, you’re in luck. Our local food scene has fantastic Indian restaurants serving delicious tandoori.

The Mira Bhayandar food scene has really grown! You’ll find everything from classic North Indian dishes to regional specialties. When you want that perfect smoky flavour, check out these highly recommended places in our area (based on recent reviews and local popularity):

• Nawabi Zaika (Mira Road, Shanti Park):
  • Why Visit: Known for excellent non-vegetarian North Indian dishes, including tandoori. Locals praise the quality, good portions, and clean setting. A top choice for non-veg Indian food.
    
• Sai Palace Hotel & Garden (Mira Road):
  • Why Visit: An iconic spot, even visited by celebrities! Their tandoori selection, including various kebabs and tandoori chicken, is consistently good for a more grand dining experience.
    
• New Shahi Family Restaurant (Mira Road):
  • Why Visit: Offers authentic and tasty Indian food. Many reviews mention fresh ingredients, fast service, and good portion sizes. A solid family option for tandoori items.
    
• Daras Dhaba Restaurant & Bar (Mira Road):
  • Why Visit: Often called a “hidden gem” with a vibrant atmosphere. Known for authentic, flavourful Dhaba-style Indian cuisine, which means excellent tandoori preparations.
    
• Mehfil Restaurant (Mira Road):
  • Why Visit: Highly rated for delicious food and friendly staff. A comfortable place to enjoy well-prepared Indian dishes from the tandoor.

When looking for the best tandoori in Mira Bhayandar, keep an eye out for reviews mentioning “smoky flavour,” “tender meats,” and “authentic spices.” Whether you dine in or order delivery, Mira Bhayandar has plenty of great options to satisfy your tandoori cravings!

Final Thoughts: The Timeless Appeal of Tandoori

From the grand, traditional tandoor to your home kitchen, the joy of Tandoori cooking is simply timeless. It’s all about those vibrant spices, tender textures, and that unique smoky taste that transports you straight to India.

So, whether you’re trying our easy recipe at home or heading out to one of Mira Bhayandar’s fantastic Indian restaurants, tandoori cuisine promises a delightful meal. Get cooking, or go enjoy a taste of this incredible Indian tradition!

What’s your favourite tandoori dish? Share your thoughts or local Mira Bhayandar restaurant recommendations in the comments below!

Or tag us on Instagram @MiraBhayandarFood with #HomemadeTandoori and #MiraBhayandarFoodie to show off your culinary adventures!