Have you ever tried Indian Food?

Question

I personally have never tried it. I LOVE trying new foods, except that I really don't do well with Hot/Spicy foods, so I avoid them. This sounds cheesy, but indian food got my attention after seeing the movie Along Came Polly. So my questions are, If you have tried it, what do you like, and what do you recommend? Are there main dishes that don't have a lot of heat to them? Do you possibly have any recipes that I could work with? Thanks for your help, Sorry for so many questions.

Answer 1

I live in a very diverse area and frequently have Indian food. Not all of it is spicy. I would recommend the Tandoori chicken as a good intro. The chicken korma (creamy not spicy light tomato sauce) is excellent. If you like Lamb, there are some excellent lamb dishes. It is fairly easy to determine the spicy from the mild dishes on most menu's.

You really should try the breads. Puri, Paratha, or the filled breads. They are my favorite part of eating Indian food.

I also like the pastries (savory). The Samosa are excellent. I like both the meat and potato filled.

Lastly, i recommend you try the Mulligatawny soup.

None of the above is highly spiced


In regard to recipies, you can find endless numbers of them on various websites like foodtv.com or epicurious.com. I usually make recipies from a few cookbooks that I have. Anything written by Madhur Jaffrey or Julie Sahni would give you a bunch of great recipies and information about indian cooking.

Answer 2

Ask around for a reputable Indian restaurant, or look up reviews of the Indian restaurants in your area. When you go there, ask for MILD food. Tell them you can't take much heat.

My favorite dish is Saag Paneer. It's spinach and Indian cheese, and so good! There are a lot of different dishes though. Just look through the menu, and see what appeals to you. And order it MILD.

Also, you can go to your super market, and get Pataks Indian stuff. They have entrees, sauces, etc. I would try one of their sauces. Cook meat or tofu, and let it simmer in a jar of the sauce, with a can of plain coconut milk (make sure it's not sweetened!). Serve this with rice and peas, and you have an introductory meal to the spices Indian food has. The already prepared food is good, but may be too spicy for you (using the coconut milk with the sauce will tame the spice. Pick up a couple cans of coconut milk, just to be safe, because you can always add more. You can also add plain yogurt to your dish, if it is too spicy.)

Have fun!

Answer 3

Very good Indian cookbooks by Madhur Jaffrey.

Most spices are commonly available. You must, however, use fresh cilantro, not dried, and fresh ginger root when recipes call for these ingredients. Black mustard seed is not the same as common yellow mustard seed, so you may have to visit a natural foods store or Indian grocer to get them.

I like almost any lentil (dal) recipe. They range from the consistency of split pea soup to something more chunky, brownish to orangey. They can be mild or pungent. They are an integral part to any meal.

Many Indian recipes are part of a meal which consists of several diverse dishes unlike American meals with a major entree and small side dishes. You will find that it requires chopping a lot of vegetables. You can do some prep work ahead of time, though. The effort is worth it!

Answer 4

Good for you! I am so glad you enjoy trying new foods & especially happy to hear you're venturing into Indian food!

I grew up on the stuff! Eat anything you want but just ask for it mild or not spicy.

Usually, tomato, cream and coconut based curries are milder. Ask the waiter at the restaurant for his suggestions and just make sure to ask for it MILD.
Also, ask for yogurt or raita (rye-ta) which a cucumber (or onion or tomato or carrot...) and yogurt salad. Great for mellowing out the spicyness from the food.

Similar to ordering Thai food (which if you have never had is AMAZINGLY delicious!). The food can be prepared in varying levels of spicyness, so just for a non spicy to mild level.

You'll be fine and I hope you enjoy it!

Answer 5

I love Indian food. Samosas, Naan(bread),Biryani, Chicken Currys w/rice, Curried vegetables. You can ask them for mild dishes and they will point you in the right direction.

Best way to do it is go with friends and each order something different, then you can try a lot of foods but not waste a whole plate if you don't care for it.

Enjoy =)

Answer 6

. They have entrees, sauces, etc. I would try one of their sauces. Cook meat or tofu, and let it simmer in a jar of the sauce, with a can of plain coconut milk (make sure it's not sweetened!). Serve this with rice and peas, and you have an introductory meal to the spices Indian food has. The already prepared food is good, but may be too spicy for you (using the coconut milk with the sauce will tame the spice. Pick up a couple cans of coconut milk, just to be safe, because you can always add more. You can also add plain yogurt to your dish, if it is too spicy.)

Have fun!

Answer 7

Yes, about 12 difference country's

Answer 8

Yes and I love curry! My Indian grandmother makes it really well. Curry doesn't always have to be spicy. I think it's great you love trying new foods - it's a gift. anyway, gl!

Answer 9

I absolutely love gulab jamen. Those are those really sweet hush-puppy sized balls. Sorry don't know a recipe, but do a search. Totally worth it---I love lots of indian food but that's the first one whose name I remembered.

Answer 10

Yes and I enjoy vegetable biryani, sag paneer, aloo gohbi, samosas...what I like about Hindu Indian food is it is vegetables made a million different ways and all the ways are good...