Curry? Biryani? India's favourite food: VOTE!

Which do you think is India's favourite dish? Take our poll and let us know!

Ours is a country of foodies, first, last and always.

Indian hospitality and cuisine enjoy a great reputation all over the world and our mouth-watering, lip-smacking dishes are served in restaurants across all continents.

But which is that ONE slice of culinary heaven that defines us? Biryani, Malai Kofta, Prawn Curry -- the possibilities are limitless.

Just last week, a poll conducted by Chaat! -- the in-house magazine of the British Curry Club -- found that Britishers' favourite Indian curry is now Jalfrezi, as opposed to Chicken Tikka Masala from previous years.

So we decided to ask you, dear readers, to let us know your favourite Indian entree -- we've gotten straight to the main course, or it wouldn't be possible to cover all the bases!

In the following pages, we bring you the best of culinary India, so vote and tell us which you think is the absolute best!

Butter Chicken

This is more than just a Mughlai delicacy -- it's acquired the status of legend. India is synonymous with Butter Chicken or Chicken Makhanwala, as it is also known, but we wager no one enjoys it quite as much as we do on our home turf!

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You can do more than just vote -- send in the recipe to the Indian dish of your choice from this list to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'India's Favourite Foods') along with a photograph, if possible! The best entries will be published right here.

So you're a veggie and beg to differ? So be it -- creamy, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth Paneer Makhanwala can be every bit as tasty as the chicken variation. Mmmmm!

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This one's a hit with both the carnivores and herbivores. Piping hot Dal Fry is a must at any Mughlai meal, but the best you can hope to taste is in the dhabas along the dusty highways of North India!

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Mutton, chicken, prawn, dum aloo, vegetable -- take your pick, but Biryani may well be India's favourite rice preparation. With the aroma of spices and succulent masalas to be tasted in every morsel, it's simply mind-blowing!

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Here's another dish that has gained a worldwide fan following. Tandoori Chicken garnished with lemon and onions is one of life's greatest culinary pleasures, we say!

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With the wealth of seafood our coasts provide, it would be sinful not to mention fish curry. Goan, Konkan, Maharashtrian, red, green -- we're all curry-lovers through and through!

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Creamy, rich, luscious -- the tomato gravy and cottage cheese dumpling preparation that is Malai Kofta fulfills all the requirements of authentic desi cuisine!

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This Kashmiri specialty consists of succulent chunks of lamb served in a gravy that is a heady mix of spices. It is another of our entrees that has scored internationally and just talking about it has us drooling!

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Spinach is not the most popular vegetable going, but when it's whipped into a creamy gravy with delicious blocks of cottage cheese added in, it creates magic!

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Roasted boneless pieces of chicken in a masaledar orange gravy with a hot piece of naan is positively mouth-watering, wouldn't you say? Let us know if your vote goes to Chicken Tikka Masala!

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Sarson Ka Saag is a Punjabi delicacy prepared with mustard and spinach leaves. It is best served with Makki Di Roti (maize flatbread) and maybe a dollop of butter if you want to indulge!

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This pungent red Goan specialty has a taste like no other gravy. The tender pieces of pork, the hint of vinegar and red Kashmir chillies...yummy!

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We're sure that despite having mentioned Fish Curry earlier, most fans of Indian cuisine would insist that Prawn Curry be awarded its own place in this poll! The flavour of a piping pot of the red jinga preparation is quite unlike any other.

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This lip-smacking mix of vegetables in a base sauce made of yoghurt and tomatoes is occasionally livened up with chicken or meat, but for purists, Korma is best served vegetarian.

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Chicken Chettinad is a fiery flavour of South India, but it has takers across the country and the world. Definitely not for the faint of heart -- or stomach!

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This exquisite mutton dish is rather tricky to cook, given that the meat has to literally melt in your mouth! And don't even get us started on the creamy cashew nut gravy...

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Chalk up another victory for the Punjabi kitchen! This chickpea dish and large puris or bature are a hit with most people.

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Okay, so it's technically 'fried fish', but our desi connotation implies just how it's cooked in our part of the world -- with plenty of masala, chilly powder and oil added on. And boy, does it taste like heaven!

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If there's one thing we Indians enjoy with all meals it's our onions, so this chicken entree cooked with sauteed onions is a winning concoction!

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This rice dish wafts the flavour of spices, cashew nuts and raisins. If not Biryani, it's got to be Kashmiri Pulao!

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Another specialty of the region is Dum Aloo -- tiny potatoes cooked in a yoghurt gravy and masalas using 'dum' or pressure. For all the potato lovers out there, it really doesn't get better than this!

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Both sweet and spicy, the killer combo of peas and cottage cheese that is Matar Paneer has quite a number of diehard veggie fans -- and a few non-veg ones too!

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The traditional Bengali curry goes down well with practically everyone -- especially if it's of the fish variety! Mmmmm!

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We already know that the British are gaga over Jalfrezi, but are you too? Have to admit, this part-stir fry, part-curry dish is really delicious!

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This Maharashtrian contribution to our country's cuisine is another variety of curry, meant exclusively for chicken. It's so well-liked, you even get ready mix packs of the masala!

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Aloo Gobi may be a humble entree, but it's certainly very popular! The drool-worthy chunks of cauliflower and potato are enhanced by a great combo of spices.

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Butter chicken, butter paneer and now buttery dal -- we're loving it! This luscious entree is the claim to fame of many an Indian restaurant. Dal simply doesn't get any better!

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The Parsi community may be small, but their contribution to India's cuisine is worth appreciating -- who doesn't love the masala dal and brown rice combo that is Dhansak?

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And finally, we come to Baingan Bharta, the charcoal-roasted eggplant preparation that few can resist! It's definitely one of the better vegetable dishes India has to offer.

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So who do you think is India's tastiest dish? Tell us by taking the poll below!