And no...for those of you who know us...it's not because we heart a beautiful Indian man...OK well maybe a smidge, but that's only because he opened our eyes to the worlds best IF (Indian Food).
IF is everything food should be...it's warm, inviting, filling, crazy delicious, very fragrant and...scrumdiddilyumptious!!!
There are more varieties of IF than you can ever count, from sooo many regions of the beautiful and colorful country. Each region has their own twist on the flavors and spices and each is magnificently tasty.
We were the luckiest ladies in the WWW (whole wide world...not world wide web) to be able to visit India and we left happy, full and 10lbs heavier...but we also came away knowing exactly which foods we want to eat every single day.
We compiled a list of our TDF favs (it makes it easier for our brains...OCD much?) for you...YOU ARE SUPER WELCOME.
Oh, before we start...there are recipes attached but the best thing to do if you are not a friend of the kitchen, is go on Yelp and find the best Indian food stores and restaurants in your area.
I think we should start at the beginning of the meal and end with dessert..(see! told you...we can not help ourselves...we heart lists too!)
Appetizers-
You will never, ever walk into a house in India and not be offered (force fed) Samosas.
They are like fried pillows of heaven. Samosas are usually stuffed with peas and spicy potatoes and served the the most amazing "dipping" sauces.
If you are a king or queen of the kitchen and are super into making your own pockets of love..you can also bake them as a healthy alternative.
Trader Joes and India Sweets and Spices carry frozen samosas! Woo hoo..
So we talked about these "dipping" sauces...they are not just for samosa..they are served with almost every Indian finger food. There are 2 main sauces. Mint-cilantro and tamarind chutney.
Both are amazing with everything...
Here is an easy recipe for Mint Chutney
Oh geez...this next appetizer is probably one of the most amazing foods we have ever eaten.
Pani poori...the name alone makes our stomach ache (in a good way)...it's so yummy we had one of our moms make it for Thanksgiving :) It was the biggest hit of the night.
They are hallow (fried) balls filled with chutney, potatoes, sprouts, raita and...
Remember that tamarind chutney from above? Yup...this is used to create pani poori too.
You can pick up the hallow shells at your locale Indian store or just pick up the RTGs.
Speaking of riata...
This yummy yogurt and cucumber sauce is used to take down the heat in most dishes, but it's sooooooo yummy we like to spoon it right into our mouths.
This yummy yogurt and cucumber sauce is used to take down the heat in most dishes, but it's sooooooo yummy we like to spoon it right into our mouths.
Plus it's made with real yogurt (not that sugary junk in commercials) so it's basically good for you too. But the best way is to have a side of it and pour over any spiciness...oh and it actually makes the food taste better if that's even possible.
- 1 large unpeeled English hothouse cucumber, halved, seeded, coarsely grated
- 2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt
- 1/4 cup (packed) chopped fresh mint
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon plus pinch of cayenne pepper
What is a great Indian meal with out the main utensil?
Naan...it's a soft flat bread served as a food as much as a utensil to eat your food.
Naan...it's a soft flat bread served as a food as much as a utensil to eat your food.
Gripped in your hand, it can be used to pick up any of your most favorite savory Indian delights.
Mains-
Oy...Chana Masala...oy...oy...why do you do the things you do? Why do we crave you like a pregnant lady craves peanut butter covered pickles?
No matter what IF restaurant we go to, we are forced (well forced by an internal source we have no control over) to order this delicious chick pea curriesque yumminess.
Its a curry with out the typical "curry" made with chick peas (garbanzos), tomatoes, spices and served over rice. Soooo filling you will never eat meat again!
This next amazing IF main is our BFs all time fav. Palak Paneer...
Not the most visually appealing of foods but you know that saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover"? I think it was created for this dish.
It's made of spinach and cheese and every bit as good as can be!
We love this over rice with raita (cuz it's perfectly spicy).
There are a few varieties of dosa but our fav is the curried potato with mint chutney sauce poured all over it.
Dosa are soooo good there is an amazing place, Hampton Chutney Co
in The Lower East Side dedicated to this pancake/potato amazingness. GO NOW!
in The Lower East Side dedicated to this pancake/potato amazingness. GO NOW!
They also have the best cardamom coffee!
Then there is the only reason to live in Lala... the Dosa Truck.
Trust us...you will be glad you looked them up.
Trust us...you will be glad you looked them up.
Dessert-
Now..yes there are TONS of IF desserts...Gulab Jamun and Kulfi to name 2 popular ones...but the one we can't resist...the one we hoard and hide from everyone...Mitai!!!!
It means sweets but my gosh you need to try the ricotta cheese one. It will change your life!
It really will...
And it's suuuper easy to make (and even easier to eat) plus you can make it with low fat cheese and stevia...ding ding ding!
Want to drink your sweet? Wanna feel like your on a tropical island?
Then make a mango lassi. It's a mango shake...yup...mango shake.
Then make a mango lassi. It's a mango shake...yup...mango shake.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1 cup chopped mango (peeled and stone removed)
4 teaspoons sugar, to taste
A dash of ground cardamom (optional)
METHOD
Put mango, yogurt, milk, sugar and cardamom into a blender and blend for 2 minutes, then pour into individual glasses, and serve. Can sprinkle with a little cardamom.
Cold, frothy and sweetly tart. Perfection!
So there you have it! Go to India in the comfort of your own kitchen! Rent a Bollywood movie and you are GTG!
Enjoy life...eat good food!
xoxo t.w.h.
