Indian cuisine...

[Star]

...because it's an Art too!

What's your favourite Indian food? And I don't really mean the Western, washed-down chicken tikka masalas, etc. This thought crossed my mind after having been to the local temple's restaurant/canteen, where you can have a full all-you-can-eat vegetarian meal for €8 during lunch/dinner time...including copious amounts of salted lassi and dessert. And the best thing, from my point of view, is there's no fixed menu, just whatever the chef feels like cooking that day. :D So, I figured I'd ask around here what are everyone's favourites. :) (Links might also be useful)

I'm gonna be a sweety toothy and go for gulab jamun myself... :P that'd be this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulab_jamun

I've just prepared some rasgulla (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasgulla) about an hour ago, after lunch...waiting for them to cool down down. I haven't tasted or smelled them yet so I think I might offer them to Lord Ganesha first; I've never cooked my own before, but it sounds like something He'd like! :D

Anyways, share your yummy preferences!

[Eastern Mind]

Vanakkam:

cooked ... masala dosa ... by miles

or uncooked... the largest juiciest mango right from a tree

Aum

[dhruva023]

I love Gulab Jamun; I just like them so much, I cant explain it!! :)

[Star]

Mhmm, mango...

My rasgulla isn't very good, mind you! :P

[saidevo]

namaste Star.

My favourite sweet is wheat halwa. Here is a thread that is sure to whet and satisfy your appetite for Indian food:

Hindu Dharma Forums > General Discussion > Vegetarianism
Food and what we take in

1. Cooking manuals
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=16268&postcount=24

2. A traditional South Indian meal:
(with links to recipes of the dishes)
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=17328&postcount=27

3. satvic food:
God's Pharmacy
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=21609&postcount=29

yajvan's cooking ingredients:
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=16270&postcount=25

4. Spiritual connections of food:
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=7733&postcount=2
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=7737&postcount=3

5. Why do Hindus eat with their hands rather than forks, knives and spoons?
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=7757&postcount=5

6. Evolution of Hindu dishes
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=7772&postcount=6

7. Food of Gods: atanu
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=33175&postcount=40

plus lots of useful hints from other posters.

[Star]

Ooh, thank you, saidevo! :D I must say I hadn't noticed it...tut tut me. Thank you! :D (Mhmm, cooking manuals...)

[Jodhaa]

I recently learned how to make Besan Laddus. And now I might be addicted. I don't think they make support groups for something that specific though;)

I love the texture of the Besan and learning how to make my own ghee has been an adventure. (I can buy it from a local specialty shop, but at $11 dollars for a small little container I figure I might as well learn something new and save some money.)I still can't get it quite pure enough though. I might have to experiment with different cheese cloths or cheap muslin fabric.

I made a big batch of Laddus for my local temple's Janmashtami celebration and I was a little nervous because I didn't really know if I'd made them right. I mean, I followed a recipe, and I sure loved how they tasted, but I didn't know if that was how they were supposed to taste. Luckily, I noticed they disappeared quickly, and a few of the other devotees mentioned that they were very good.

Next, samosas. There's a challenge.:)

Peace!

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: I recently discovered how incredibly difficult it is to travel in America if you're on a restricted diet, or restricted by your own subconscious. Here in Canada and America some of us grew up with multicultural cuisine so its less of a problem. I wish there were many more vegetarian Indian restaurants in smaller places. The person I know that has the most difficulty is my Celiac's daughter. Any bit of cross contamination will make her ill. It bugs me that Indian restaurants seem to thing they have to have at least one or two meat dishes. Then because of the possibility of cross contamination, a strict vegetarian of vegan can't eat there.

Congratulations, Jodhaa on the success.

Aum Namasivaya

[Jodhaa]

I just made Curd Rice and now I am in terrible amounts of trouble. ;) I might try and convince my mom to let me make it for Thanksgiving instead of mashed potatoes! I have another favorite ingredient: Curry Leaves.

[Jodhaa]

Namaste!

My husband has to be on a special diet at the moment which requires him to limit his carbohydrate intake. Vegetarian Indian food has a tendency to be pretty carby. However we tried an experiment tonight with curd rice that I think worked so I thought I'd mention it here for anyone who might be interested.

Replace regular, plain yogurt with greek yogurt (higher protein, lower sugar)
Replace white rice with shredded cauliflower. (you'll want to saute the cauliflower in a pan ahead of time to heat it up and get rid of some of the moisture - about 10-12 minutes)

All the remaining spices can remain the same. The texture will be noticeably different, but it was still quite yummy and I think if anyone is looking for an alternative to rice, Cauliflower takes on flavors well.

Peace!