Well, I usually only blog about food from places that I have been. But today I am breaking the rules and blogging about food from a place that I am going... India! My husband is looking forward to visiting the Taj Mahal, my kids are looking forward to the elephant ride included in the travel package, and I am looking forward to the spice markets!!!
Indian food has really grown in popularity in the United States. This is nice, because now some of the staple ingredients in Indian cuisine are easy to find in stores. I think the unique spice blends and seasonings are what makes us Americans love Indian food so much! Many people are hesitant to try Indian food at first because they think it is extremely spicy. While some of it's cuisine can be (like any other cuisine), most of it is just filled with lots of exotic savory flavors and spice blends. Some popular Indian spices are Garam Masala (a blend of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, black pepper and coriander), curry (a blend of many spices including coriander, fenugreek, turmeric, red pepper and onion), tandoori masala (typically a blend of garam masala, garlic, ginger, cumin and cayenne pepper), and whole cardamom seeds (which posess a pungent lemon/ lime/ pine flavor).
I am making my favorite Indian dishes tonight. The main course is Murgh Makhani (otherwise known as "butter chicken"). Butter chicken is cooked in a rich savory sauce, but I am slow cooking it for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and amazing flavor. I am serving it over steamed Basmati rice and with fresh homemade naan bread for dipping in the extra sauce! I am also making vegetable pakoras, which are savory little vegetable dumplings that are fried and served over a cilantro and mint chutney. To wash it all down, I am making an Indian drink called Lassi. Lassi is a yogurt- based drink that can either be sweet or salty and is most commonly flavored in mint, mango, or banana. It is blended with ice and soda water. I ordered a sweet mint lassi in an Indian restaurant (thinking I wouldn't like it but still wanting to try something authentic), and was blown away! It was so unlike anything I have ever tasted, and was so refreshing and delicious. Even my kids liked it!
I hope you will try this exotic dinner that I am sharing with you-- the butter chicken is surprisingly easy to make. This is crazy delicious-- even the pickiest eaters will enjoy it! As they say in India, Svadist khana!!!
Murgh Makhani (Indian Butter Chicken)
Naan Bread
Vegetable Pakoras with Mint and Cilantro Chutney
Sweet Mint Lassi
Photo: Baby foodie! My youngest trying her first naan!
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