Thali

A thali is a complete Indian meal served on a metal tray, with rice, dal, curries and bread in small bowls. The word thali means plate or tray, and the tray is the defining part of the dish: each element sits in its own bowl so that a diner can eat several dishes in one sitting. Regional versions differ in which curries and breads appear, so no two thalis are quite the same.

What it really is

A thali is a way of serving a meal, not a single recipe. The rice is plain. The dal is made from lentils cooked until soft, and the curries are simmered and seasoned with curry powder and other spices, so each bowl differs in flavour and heat. The bread is a flatbread, usually made from wheat flour, and yoghurt is served alongside to cool the spice. The tray brings these together so that each mouthful can be a different combination.

How it's served

• On a metal tray, with rice, dal, curries and yoghurt in small bowls set into it.
• With rice and flatbread served hot, and bowls often refilled at the table.
• Eaten with the hand or a spoon, with dal and curry mixed over the rice as the diner chooses.

How to write it on the menu

• Name the protein. The dal is made from lentils, but say whether the curries use chicken, lamb, fish, paneer or only vegetables, since each choice changes the dish.
• Flag wheat in the flatbread, and milk in the yoghurt and in any ghee or cream used in the curries.
• List the rice, dal, curries, bread and yoghurt by name, and state how many bowls the thali includes.
• Say whether rice and bread are refilled, since guests ask.