Exploring Halal Cuisine: A Culinary Journey From India to the Middle East

Discover the rich tapestry of Halal cuisine, from Indian curries to Middle Eastern marvels, and tantalise your taste buds.

Music might be the universal language, but one thing that effortlessly bridges cultures and transcends borders is food. This exquisite fusion of flavours unites us all in a truly mysterious and magical way. On the surface, food is a very tangible mix of various flavours, spices, and ingredients, but when you combine everything together, it takes you on an enticing journey that mystifies and makes you go mmm!

Britain has a rich cultural tapestry. One that's been woven together by waves of immigrants, tourists, and of course, a storied history of colonisation. This pluralism is what gives this beautiful nation its character and personality.

Halal cuisine has rapidly gained popularity in the UK over the past several years, and over 50 countries now practice this culinary technique. That makes this food circuit a haven of diverse flavours stretching from the deserts of Arabia to the tropical islands of the Far East, and of course, the plains of India as well.

Let’s dive into this sea of tantalising and aromatic recipes and celebrate one of the most widely used yet least talked about cooking styles globally. We have hand-picked a few popular cuisines from different halal food cultures that we often feature on the Bozu Menu. 

The Origin of Halal Cuisine

Halal cuisine isn't just a set of forbidden foods. There's much more to it than that. Halal food prep is actually a set of guidelines about how meat is sourced, and what ingredients are used, with roots in Islamic religious rulings. It makes halal meal prep a complete culinary style on its own. Interestingly, despite the religious strings attached, halal cuisine is a diverse and vibrant mix of amazingly intricate recipes with intense flavour.

The Curries of India

Indian food, as we call it, is one of the most popular food options in the UK nowadays. The Indian subcontinent actually includes modern-day Pakistan and Bangladesh, and we often bunch them together with India when we refer to food from the region, but each has its own distinct flavours. The subcontinent was actually a prominent British colony until the late 1940s and because of that, we've adopted several cultural elements from the region over the years. Since then, spices and herbs from these countries have only been increasing in popularity in the UK, especially with a healthy influx of immigrants from there.

One of the most popular food items from this cuisine is their curries. They are known for their taste and aroma that comes from a blend of spices and herbs such as turmeric, coriander, cloves, basil, chillies and pepper. These curries are often prepared in regular or clarified butter, also known as ghee, and are known for their rich texture. 

The Kebab Supremacy

The Persian civilisation has contributed its own crown jewel: the kebab which is prepared from minced meat. The mince is blended with assorted vegetables and herbs. The concoction is put on skewers and grilled to perfection. The world generally calls this gem Kebab, but it comes in various shapes, sizes, and types. Be it an Irani Chullo or a Turkish Doner, these delicacies are traditionally made from meats such as chicken, lamb, and beef. These tangy, saucy delights are always finger-licking good.

Marvels of the Middle East

Of course! How can we miss the offerings coming out of the Arabian deserts when talking about halal food? The Middle Eastern food culture is an assortment of various delectable culinary options. The entire journey from food prep to serving and dining is an experience worthy of attention. This is a place where every recipe has a story, and every ingredient has its own history.

From shawarma and falafel wraps to the smoked baba ghanoush and mandi rice that ends with a sweet, decadent, creamy melt-in-your-mouth knafeh or kunefe – the entire meal is designed to leave you in an ecstatic trance.

And you can never really stop at just one helping.

Turkish Delights

Thanks to celebrity chefs like CZN Burak and Nusrat Salt Bae, Turkish food is now famous globally. Turkish meal preps are more of a celebration of cooking and dining, which is why everyone loves Turkish chefs and eateries. The juicy steaks and the perfectly grilled saucy doners are already very popular. But the real kicker here is the Baklava ­– a special sweet treat from this rich land by the Mediterranean, made using the best nuts and dried fruits you can find.

Little Treats from the Far East

It would be unfair if a halal cuisine celebratory discussion ignores the tropical lands of Malaysia and Indonesia. These beach destinations are home to a Muslim community with its own unique culture. Malaysia and Bali are already popular tourist destinations and are known for their delicious recipes. The Roti Cenai is hands down one of the yummiest breakfast options available and pairs really well with morning tea. Nasi Lemak and Nasi Goreng are also standouts, where Far Eastern fried rice, meats, and creamy curries made with local herbs drive your tastebuds insane with delectable flavour.

Menu Ideas

If you're looking for halal food menu ideas, here is a hand-picked curated spread you can enjoy with your family and friends. You can also order these from a halal food delivery service like Bozu.

• Appetizers: Hummus with Pita and Olives, Za’atar Pide, Mediterranean Salad
• Main Course: Mandi/Madfoon, Doner Kebabs, Curried Chicken with Bombay Potatoes
• Desserts: Kunefe, Baklava, Jalebi, Kulfi
• Beverage: Lassi, Kahwa, Turkish Coffee

Looking For Halal Food but Don’t Want to Cook Yourself?

At Bozu, we offer a range of delicious halal prepared meals and snacks, and our entire menu is completely halal. We make it a point to only use meat that is certified halal.

Our in-house chefs carefully craft well-balanced, portion-controlled healthy recipes, ensuring low-calorie counts but high nutrition and flavour.

If you'd like to learn more about our halal meal prep processes or how we prepare and deliver our meals, get in touch with Bozu today. Our staff and chefs are super friendly and always available to answer any questions you might have!