Tandoori cooking uses intense heat to cook marinated food, traditionally inside a cylindrical clay oven called a tandoor. It gives dishes such as chicken and kebabs browned edges and a roasted flavor. The same oven can also bake naan against its hot inner wall.
How Does a Tandoor Cook Food?
A tandoor holds heat within its walls. Cook lower skewers of marinated meat or vegetables into the oven, where the surrounding heat cooks them quickly. Bread follows a different method, the dough is pressed against the inside wall until it bakes and develops browned spots.
This high heat helps create the contrast people often notice in tandoori dishes: a roasted exterior and a tender interior. The result depends on both the oven and how carefully the food is prepared.
Why Is the Food Marinated?
Marinating gives seasonings time to coat the ingredients before they reach the heat. Tandoori chicken, for example, is often prepared with yogurt, ginger, garlic, and spices. Recipes differ, so the flavor can vary from one kitchen to another.
Yogurt can also help the meat stay tender as it cooks. The marinade contributes flavor and texture, while the oven adds the browned surface that makes tandoori cooking distinctive.
Does Tandoori Mean Spicy?
Not necessarily. Tandoori refers to the cooking method, rather than a set level of chilli heat. One dish may be mildly seasoned, while another may have a stronger kick. Roasted or lightly charred flavors can be noticeable even when a dish is not especially spicy. If you prefer mild food, ask about the seasoning in the specific dish you want to order.
What Can You Eat With a Tandoori Dish?
Naan is a natural pairing because it is another food traditionally made in a tandoor. Rice, chutney, and other sides can add different textures and flavors to the meal. A piece of roasted chicken with soft bread, for instance, lets you experience two ways the oven is used.
Explore Tandoori Flavors at Flames Indian Aroma
Flames Indian Aroma in East Harlem lists tandoori specialties among its Indian dishes, along with freshly baked breads. If you are curious about tandoori cooking, explore its current menu and choose a dish to enjoy with naan. It is a simple way to notice how marinade and high heat shape the flavor of a meal.