A Taste of India Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mixture of spices

Masala is a mixture of spices that often include green chilies, ginger, black pepper, cloves, cumin, cardamon, nutmeg and coriander. It can be mixed to a paste and added to curry or used to marinate meat or fish. Masala chai, or tea, is a mixture of spices diffused in hot water with sugar.

Answer: Potatoes and cauliflower

Chopped onions are fried with spices before the addition of diced potatoes, cauliflower florets and water. The ingredients are gently simmered until the mixture thickens. A large bowl of Aloo Gobi can be served with naan bread to soak up the juices or as a side dish to a main course.

Answer: Paneer

The texture of paneer is similar to cottage cheese and can be used in snacks, desserts or the main meal of the day. The cheese is made by curdling milk with a food acid such as lemon. Rennet is not included in the cheese making process due to the cow being sacred to Hindus.

Answer: Coconuts

Nearly every part of the coconut is used in Goan cuisine. The oil, milk and flesh are used in many recipes while the sap from the palm is used as a yeast substitute and to make vinegar. Another part of the palm called jaggery is used to prepare Goan sweetmeats.

Answer: Raita

Raita is prepared by adding spices to yoghurt followed by chopped fruit or vegetables. The most popular type of raita is mint with cucumber but other ingredients can be added such as onions, carrots, pineapples, bananas or papayas.

Answer: Dal

Dal is eaten as a side dish or as a main course and can be spicy or bland in flavour. The pulses are split before washing and then soaked in water. They are then boiled in water until soft. Spices and vegetables are fried gently in oil and the dal added towards the end of cooking.

Answer: Pakora

Vegetables, bread or sometimes chicken are deep fried in a spicy batter and served as a side dish or daytime snack. The most popular varieties are 'palak pakora' (spinach), paneer pakora (cheese) or aloo pakora (potato). They are delicious served with mint raita.

Answer: Basmati

Basmati rice has been grown at the foot of the Himalaya mountain range in India for thousands of years. 'Bas' in Hindi means aroma and 'mati' means 'full of'. The rice is known for its delicate, woody fragrance and can come in either white or brown varieties.

Answer: Sharbat

Sharbat is an aromatic syrup that is diluted with either water or milk. The syrup can also be used in concentrated form to pour over desserts. Popular choices of flavour are rose, lemon, orange, sandal, hibiscus or pineapple.

Answer: Breads

Many Indian breads are simply made with flour, water and salt. Paratha is a popular unleavened bread which usually contains ghee, a clarified butter. Appam is a thin pancake type bread using rice flour. Roti is made from whole wheat flour and has a thinner variety called chapati.