Bhuna, the Must-Try Indian Dish of the Season

Food isn't just sustenance in India; it's a way of life. The food reflects Indian culture, not just in flavor but also in the diversity of its history, agriculture and tradition. The Indian culture comprises many different people, each with their own recipes. Indian cuisine draws on this variety, and people use these traditions to create a truly memorable experience.

Bhuna: A Special Curry

Curries are already a favorite of many people. But Bhuna is a special type of curry. It is a cooking style that is particular to the northern region of India.

Bhuna is used to describe when a curry is cooked with an extra layer of spices. This cooking style is a bit more aggressive than regular curry. It is created with bold spices, so it has a very different flavor than mild curry. The taste is richer and spicier. It's hard to give you a clear definition of what it tastes like. It's not quite a spicy chili, but it's not entirely a curry either.

The Exquisite Flavors of Bhuna

Bhuna is made with the same spices that you will find in most Indian dishes. But because of the cooking method, the spices have more of an opportunity to infuse with the other ingredients entirely. This makes the flavors more intense and consistent, so you understand what you are eating.

The Bhuna curry is also created with a spice blend that is different from other curries. It involves cumin, coriander, black pepper, garam masala and curry powder. Together, these spices offer a unique flavor that is neither too strong nor too weak. The spices provide a rich texture and taste that you need to experience to appreciate fully.

The Ingredients of a True Bhuna

Before you decide to make Bhuna at home, you need to understand the unique ingredients of this special dish. Usually, Bhuna is made with lamb or chicken. The meat is always marinated overnight in a spice blend, and the meat is then added to the curry along with the beans.

The spices are then cooked with the meat to add flavor, right before the beans and the tomatoes are added to the dish. The dish is then prepared with fresh ginger, garlic and onions. The final step is to add a mixture of fresh herbs and spices to the dish.

The Bhuna Technique

Bhuna is best made on a stovetop. You should use a medium-sized pot to make the curry. The chicken or lamb is cooked with curry powder, and the rest of the ingredients are added at the very end. To achieve the best texture in your Bhuna, you need to cook it for a long time, up to two hours. You need to stir the pot frequently, so the spices are evenly distributed, and you will get the best texture if you add a bit of oil to the pot.

Serve the Bhuna with fresh naan or naan bread, samosas or tandoori chicken. The chicken will help you further understand the different spices, and it will also help you fully appreciate the rich flavors of the Bhuna.

Conclusion

Now that you know the secrets behind this special curry, you don't need to travel to India to experience the unique taste of the Bhuna. You can make it at home and get the same rich flavors that your favorite Indian restaurant offers.

At Karakoram Restaurant, you can experience the best of four worlds—Western, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, and Indian cuisines. We are a traditional Pakistani restaurant with fine dining, where you can experience the treasured flavors and spices prepared for decades from these four cuisines, particularly Pakistani and Indian dishes. If you want to experience authentic Indian food in Vancouver, get in touch with us today! Book a reservation or place your order online!