Indian Cuisine is an adventure to the senses, a vibrant and bold combination of spices used in simple dietary staples, such as grains, sauces, and soups to create a healthy, yet exotic delight to the senses. There are several unusual, fascinating aspects of Indian food culture and traditions that everyone can learn from. These traditions are both beautiful and practical; addressing the moral and health aspects of culture.
The food of the Indian culture is intrinsically linked to religion and spirituality. For many natives of India, their diets reflect Dharmic beliefs, which encompass many religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Many of these faith embrace a vegetarian lifestyle and this is true of many persons from India. (Source: http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/india/food.htm#RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES). The choice to eat meat is heavily contingent on the practicing religion of the person; Muslims are more likely to eat meat than Hindus, but what is beautiful about this is that faith practices affect daily choices and something as community/family oriented as food.
Spices are a vital and sophisticated presence in Indian cuisine; a typical sauce or entree can have 40 spices, involving a process that can take several days. These spices are implemented in different forms: chopped, whole, ground, roasted, and fried. In contrast to Western culture, which often uses sauces and spices to obtain a 'hot' flavor, spices in Indian food add to the flavor and complexity of the dish. These spices are added slowly, as the result of a thoughtful process. (Source: www.ecurry.com/blog/indian/indian-kitchen-basics/the-most-commonly-used-indian-spices/)
Rice is a staple in the Indian diet; and not just rice but many persons add onions, potatoes, peppers, spices, garlic, and tomatoes to make curry with rice (Source: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/food-traditions-india-16344.html) This combination is much leaner than the typical Western entree of a heavy meat staple such as a prime rib or steak. It also has less of an effect on climate change and has more health benefits to the consumer.
The Indian culture, like all food traditions has some dishes that remain popular with both natives of India and other cultures. These dishes include Chicken tikka masala which is savory bits of chicken served in a spicy sauce, curry which comes in a thousand variations, and tandoori which means vegetables cooked outside in a clay oven..(Source:http://traveltips.usatoday.com/food-traditions-india-16344.html)
No matter what your food preferences are, if you eat three kinds of meat a day or don't so much as eat eggs, the vibrancy and range of food that comprises the Indian diet has something for you!
http://addspices.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/indian20food.jpg
Indian Cuisine is an adventure to the senses, a vibrant and bold combination of spices used in simple dietary staples, such as grains, sauces, and soups to create a healthy, yet exotic delight to the senses. There are several unusual, fascinating aspects of Indian food culture and traditions that everyone can learn from. These traditions are both beautiful and practical; addressing the moral and health aspects of culture.
Indian Food and Spirituality
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The food of the Indian culture is intrinsically linked to religion and spirituality. For many natives of India, their diets reflect Dharmic beliefs, which encompass many religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Many of these faith embrace a vegetarian lifestyle and this is true of many persons from India. (Source:
http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/india/food.htm#RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES). The choice to eat meat is heavily contingent on the practicing religion of the person; Muslims are more likely to eat meat than Hindus, but what is beautiful about this is that faith practices affect daily choices and something as community/family oriented as food.
Spices
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Spices are a vital and sophisticated presence in Indian cuisine; a typical sauce or entree can have 40 spices, involving a process that can take several days. These spices are implemented in different forms: chopped, whole, ground, roasted, and fried. In contrast to Western culture, which often uses sauces and spices to obtain a 'hot' flavor, spices in Indian food add to the flavor and complexity of the dish. These spices are added slowly, as the result of a thoughtful process. (Source: www.ecurry.com/blog/indian/indian-kitchen-basics/the-most-commonly-used-indian-spices/)
Basic Ingredients
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Rice is a staple in the Indian diet; and not just rice but many persons add onions, potatoes, peppers, spices, garlic, and tomatoes to make curry with rice (Source: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/food-traditions-india-16344.html) This combination is much leaner than the typical Western entree of a heavy meat staple such as a prime rib or steak. It also has less of an effect on climate change and has more health benefits to the consumer.
Favorite Dishes
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The Indian culture, like all food traditions has some dishes that remain popular with both natives of India and other cultures. These dishes include Chicken tikka masala which is savory bits of chicken served in a spicy sauce, curry which comes in a thousand variations, and tandoori which means vegetables cooked outside in a clay oven..(Source:http://traveltips.usatoday.com/food-traditions-india-16344.html)
Indian Cuisine in your neighborhood
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Want to sample some of the fascinating food culture for yourself? Saffron's is an authentic Indian restaurant with several locations in the Kalamazoo area. I visited Saffron's for the first time several weeks ago and here is the link to my blog post about the experience or cuisine adventure: (http://spring2014literaryinterpretationfood.blogspot.com/2014/04/an-indian-lunch-adventure-in-cuisine.html)
No matter what your food preferences are, if you eat three kinds of meat a day or don't so much as eat eggs, the vibrancy and range of food that comprises the Indian diet has something for you!
Kate Weston