Order Indian delivery and takeaway online in Washington

Looking for a conversational starter – what better than a Chicken Chaat? Small pieces of chicken tikka cooked in a sauce of cucumber, onion and masala spices, then topped with coriander and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Yum. (A Potato Chaat is equally moreish.) Naan Bread is a must with any Indian meal, whether Peshwari (sweet with almond flakes, coconut and raisin filling), Keema (often a chef’s signature Naan, with a secret recipe of ground lamb with aromatics and Indian spices), Garlic Naan (which will ward off those family members you don’t want to kiss goodbye) or just plain ol’ Plain (leavened, oven-baked flat bread – think of it as the straight man to the comedy genius of your main course). Steamed Rice is pure and simple, Pilau Rice is more colourful and flavoursome, and Coconut Rice is positively exotic. And don’t forget the Poppadums – these large circular pieces of thin crisp flatbread are ever-so-irresistibly snappable. Two Spicy, two Plain, lots of Lime Pickle, please…

Palek Paneer makes a healthy side or vegetarian main. Paneer is Indian farmer’s cheese cooked in a deliciously thick curry sauce based on pureed spinach – it’s one of India’s favourites (and Popeye’s, obvs). Vegetable Biryani is a great one-stop, single pot of what’s what – a vegetable curry crammed with authentic Indian flavours. Eat it with a Naan – and relish. Another favourite go-to as a side is Bombay Potato (no prize for guessing place of origin). It’s an Indian dry dish where cubed-then-boiled-then-fried potatoes are then flavoured with a real house party of spices like cumin, garlic, turmeric, mustard, chilli, salt and pepper – with onion and tomatoes gate-crashing later.