I got into Indian food over the pandemic since I discovered an Indian cafe with take-out nearby, and it has been a revelation for me.
Here in the US, we’re familiar with foreign cuisine such as Mexican and Chinese. Hell, even Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese food have become increasingly popular over time. But food from the world’s largest subcontinent (and 2nd most populated country), is strangely absent from the American lexicon. I can’t figure out why, either. I’ve discovered that Indian food is some of the most delicious food you can eat. After about a year of experience with it, I think it’s become my favorite food, and I don’t say that lightly. The textures and flavors are like nothing else, and so much of it is healthy for you too. Best of all, there's an endless variety of dishes to try, so it's almost impossible to get bored of it.
If you’re into cooking it’s also easy to prepare at home. Here’s a few of my favorites:
Palak Paneer
A gravy made from pureed spinach, onions, and tomatoes served over Indian cottage cheese (paneer).
Biryani
I held off on trying this dish for a while because I honestly thought it was just Indian fried rice, but it isn’t. Biryani is more similar to something like a casserole. It’s made by layering fried onions, chicken (optional), rice, and gravy, and then baked in a clay pot (or pressure cooker) until all the flavors meld together.
Sometimes interesting spices and ingredients like rose water, or saffron are added. When I tried it, it was served with a thin yogurt dressing. I’m not kidding when I say this is one of the best things I’ve ordered from a restaurant. It looks simple, but the flavor is outrageous.
Masoor Dal
This one I love in particular because it’s so easy to make. It’s basically a red lentil soup that you mix with spices sauteed in clarified butter. You can add vegetables or other ingredients and serve it with rice for a hearty meal.
Channa Masala
Spiced chickpeas that are tender and served with just enough kick without being too spicy.
Which leads me to my last point. Most of the misconceptions I had about Indian food before trying it weren’t even true. The food is neither too spicy (most of it isn’t spicy), nor is it all curry. I’m not a big meat eater these days, but the tandoori chicken I’ve had would be enough to convert any meat lover into an Indian food fan. The pakoora would satisfy anyone’s fried food craving… and the desserts, my god the desserts. Don’t even get me started. So why isn’t Indian food more popular?
Do you enjoy Indian food? If you do, tell me about your favorite dish so I can try it next!
Here in the US, we’re familiar with foreign cuisine such as Mexican and Chinese. Hell, even Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese food have become increasingly popular over time. But food from the world’s largest subcontinent (and 2nd most populated country), is strangely absent from the American lexicon. I can’t figure out why, either. I’ve discovered that Indian food is some of the most delicious food you can eat. After about a year of experience with it, I think it’s become my favorite food, and I don’t say that lightly. The textures and flavors are like nothing else, and so much of it is healthy for you too. Best of all, there's an endless variety of dishes to try, so it's almost impossible to get bored of it.
If you’re into cooking it’s also easy to prepare at home. Here’s a few of my favorites:
Palak Paneer
A gravy made from pureed spinach, onions, and tomatoes served over Indian cottage cheese (paneer).
Biryani
I held off on trying this dish for a while because I honestly thought it was just Indian fried rice, but it isn’t. Biryani is more similar to something like a casserole. It’s made by layering fried onions, chicken (optional), rice, and gravy, and then baked in a clay pot (or pressure cooker) until all the flavors meld together.
Sometimes interesting spices and ingredients like rose water, or saffron are added. When I tried it, it was served with a thin yogurt dressing. I’m not kidding when I say this is one of the best things I’ve ordered from a restaurant. It looks simple, but the flavor is outrageous.
Masoor Dal
This one I love in particular because it’s so easy to make. It’s basically a red lentil soup that you mix with spices sauteed in clarified butter. You can add vegetables or other ingredients and serve it with rice for a hearty meal.
Channa Masala
Spiced chickpeas that are tender and served with just enough kick without being too spicy.
Which leads me to my last point. Most of the misconceptions I had about Indian food before trying it weren’t even true. The food is neither too spicy (most of it isn’t spicy), nor is it all curry. I’m not a big meat eater these days, but the tandoori chicken I’ve had would be enough to convert any meat lover into an Indian food fan. The pakoora would satisfy anyone’s fried food craving… and the desserts, my god the desserts. Don’t even get me started. So why isn’t Indian food more popular?
Do you enjoy Indian food? If you do, tell me about your favorite dish so I can try it next!
