My wife doesn't like Indian food, what dish should I have her try to change her mind?

Question

She claims that she doesn't like Indian food but she has not really given it a shot: she took a bite of one dish at one restaurant and did not like the texture (it was palak paneer which is understandable).

I love Indian food but I only am familiar with vegetarian dishes, she eats meat. Can anyone make a suggestion for a good beginner's meat dish that is NOT curried and is NOT spicy?

She hates spicy foods and claims to not like curry but has never tried it. I know, seems like a tough call but I just know there has to be something on the menu she would like! any help?

Thanks very much for the helpful responses!

to: In the clouds - You obviously did not read my question and just jumped to an idiotic conclusion. She has not tried any of it yet she claims to not like it. I am not forcing anything on her but just simply saying that she should at least try a couple dishes before writing off an entire cuisine as diverse and delectable as Indian food. You obviously get no joy out of food because if you did, you would understand why it is frustrating for people when others claim to think something is bad/gross but never even tried it!

Answer 1

Friend, I think I know what you mean. I enjoy all kind of cuisine and am always ready to try out new ones as well.

Here is what I think you should do.
If she loves meat, start with Chicken. Go for Tandoori chicken, more like bbq chicken. Ask the chef to go easy on the spices.
The next on the list should be some mild chicken curry, with thick gravy. Butter chicken or ginger chicken could do.
Does she like fish? I don't know where you guys stay, but try to find out some good Indian restaurant that prepares seafood. Make sure you go for a pomphret ot shrimp (prawns). Again ask the chef to go slow on the spices.

Try these things one at a time with a gap of atleast a week in them.

All the best. Hope to see a question on yahoo from your wife in a months time - How to cook Chicken Kolhapuri or Chicken Hyderabadi.

Answer 2

Hi...Probably i am not the right person to answer this question coz i am an Indian n so all indian foods appeal to my tongue(including palak paneer). But i can bet my head tht ur wife will like Butter chicken. Its not all spicy, very tender and almost sweet. Chicken tikka is also not a bad option, but butter chicken is THE best.

Answer 3

Most Indian restaraunts are willing to cater to your (or her) spice needs. I'd say Tandoori chicken is a great place to start, as are those Biryani rices (try the prawn ones!). Mmmm. Convince her to try naan, there are so many varieties, with raisins, nuts, fruit, spices. cheese, veggies, garlic, etc (not all at once!). Isn't palak paneer that cheese stew? If it is, I don't like it either. I think she just disliked the texture, and assumed all Indian food was cheesy and mushy. There's this Indian appetizer that tastes EXACTLY like onion rings (who knows, maybe it's a way to make non-adventurous eaters feel like they're eating real Indian food). I'm not crazy about curry either, but I love the cuisine because there are so many unique dishes. Good luck!

Answer 4

There are so many yummy Indian dishes. Palak Paneer is a tough one to start with I don't like it either and I love Indian food. Why don't you have her try chicken tikka.(tandoori chicken) It is just chicken sort of bbq (dry) but is not spicy. Chicken Biryani (chicken with rice and peas) is also good, order it not spicy. Some good veg ones are Shahi paneer (cheese in yummy cream sauce) or mataar paneer (cheese and peas in creamy sauce). She should really try the curries, there are all kinds, chicken, lamb, goat. You can always ask for mild or not spicy at all, the restaurants have this option. Definitely have her try the chapatis (flat bread) with the dishes. If all else fails why not start her off with desert? Kheer (rice pudding) it's delicious! I also love Gulaab Jamun, they are dough balls that taste like pancakes with heavy syrup. They are delicious when warm! Good luck and enjoy! I forgot about butter chicken! It is delicious!

Answer 5

It is commendable that you are trying to get your wife to experience something you love. After all, if WE should don’t share our pleasures (and pains :-)) with our spouses, who should?

Philosophy apart, I can think of a number of "beginners" Indian dishes for her to try. For an appetizer, Keema Samosa (Flaky golden pastry, stuffed with lightly spiced, minced lamb) or Chicken Tikka (Boneless chicken chunks, grilled) would be good.

Based on your request of a "meat dish that is NOT curried and is NOT spicy", I would highly recommend a chicken or lamb "korma" or "Pasanda" dish. This can be eaten with naan or white rice.

Korma is the definitive mild curry on the Indian restaurant menu. It is typically prepared with butter and thickened with cream and coconut milk to give a very, very mild creamy sauce. Spicing would be more subtle, and there would be more use of aromatic spices such as cardomom, clove and cinnamon rather than the more robust spices such as chilli, cumin, black pepper etc.

Pasanda is a mild curry sauce made with cream, coconut milk, and almonds. As such, it is considered a relatively accessible dish for first timers, appropriate for use as an introduction to Indian cooking in general.

Also Chicken or Lamb biryani is a good choice of entree. Basmati rice & chicken/lamb richly flavored with saffron and cooked with Indian herbs on a low heat.

Please steer clear of any “Vindaloo”, “Tindaloo” or “Madras” dishes. These would be really hot.
The "heat" level on most foods in an Indian restaurant can be cooked to order. Just request for mild/ extra mild.

Oh, and please order Raita (fresh yogurt whipped with shredded cucumber) as a side and Mango Lassi (mango flavored yogurt drink) as a beverage. The cool yogurt will soothe any spiciness that the dishes might have.

Good Luck.

Answer 6

this is my favorite.

Indian Saffron Rice

INGREDIENTS
1/8 teaspoon powdered saffron
2 cups boiling water, divided
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice, not rinsed
1 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
Steep the saffron in 1/2 cup boiling water.
In a skillet that can be tightly covered, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the rice and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until the rice begins to absorb the butter and becomes opaque, but do not brown the rice.
Quickly pour in the remaining 1 1/2 cups boiling water along with the saffron water. Cover immediately, reduce heat to low, and cook 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. For best results, do not remove the lid while the rice is cooking.

Answer 7

She will definitely like the naan (bread), especially if you get one that has fruits and nuts in it. Also, ease her into it with the jasmine rice......Start basic and then move up..

Get her a chicken dish like Tikka Masala. That has a cream tomato sauce and is NOT hot at all. I HATE spicy food as well, and this is what I get all the time.

Another idea is to get one of those appetizer trays that has a variety of meats and vegetarian dishes. That way she can pick and choose what she likes/doesn't like.

Answer 8

I always offer tandoori dishes to beginning Indian food amateurs. Tandoori chicken or Chicken tika Masala with rice and sides of bread etc. should make a believer out of her.

Answer 9

I think that she would like Tandoori Chicken. Its not too spicy and not cooked in gravy. Its usually the safest food to eat at an Indian buffet because its not too spicy and cooked all the way through.

Answer 10

chicken tikka masala. Not too spicy - great flavor. Eat it over rice. I hate curry too, but love me some chicken tikka masala. It's on every Indian menu.

EDIT - get some garlic naan bread too. It's to die for.