Indian food...I don't get it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had both Indian home cooked and restaurant food (in India, the US, the UK and elsewhere). A lot of oil/ghee is involved, too much for my preference. Not a fan of all the spice pods left in the dishes and you're expected to sift around it. Obesity and diabetes are a growing problem among middle class Indians so it's not exactly the healthiest cuisine if you don't watch it, but that's probably true for most cuisines.

Did enjoy some dishes. Others less so. Dosis are nice as are appams from South India.

Most home cooks use very little oil. For 3 lbs of fresh veggies I'd use a tablespoon or two of oil, which hardly seems excessive. Perhaps they are making food that they think a non-Indian would like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It's fascinating to read everyone's responses--thanks!

I just want to clarify that my intent was not to disparage Indian cuisine. I'm merely trying to figure out if I was missing something, because Indian cuisine is so popular, and I pride myself on being open to new things (and this is no niche or fad--I want to like it).

After reading these replies, It's obvious that Indian cuisine is nuanced and regional (duh--its a large country!). I believe I've tried a few lunch hour, takeout-type places--places that probably muddle everything together and, as a result, the subtle nuances are lost in generic, overly-sauced/spiced dishes.

TBH, I'm not in the DC area (I'm in CT, 45 mins from NYC). I think I'll have to pick a quality place in the city to try!

Meh, take solace in the fact that the "trend" is dying, and the Indian coworkers are bitter about it. They pride themselves too much on their food, and are extremely offended that I can reproduce their dishes with ease (they pride themselves in Indian food being "difficult").

It's fine, and everyone should be able to find something, but totally overrated.

Did you just call Indian food trendy? Because it's been around for like longer than America times 100.

Lol, so true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It's fascinating to read everyone's responses--thanks!

I just want to clarify that my intent was not to disparage Indian cuisine. I'm merely trying to figure out if I was missing something, because Indian cuisine is so popular, and I pride myself on being open to new things (and this is no niche or fad--I want to like it).

After reading these replies, It's obvious that Indian cuisine is nuanced and regional (duh--its a large country!). I believe I've tried a few lunch hour, takeout-type places--places that probably muddle everything together and, as a result, the subtle nuances are lost in generic, overly-sauced/spiced dishes.

TBH, I'm not in the DC area (I'm in CT, 45 mins from NYC). I think I'll have to pick a quality place in the city to try!

Meh, take solace in the fact that the "trend" is dying, and the Indian coworkers are bitter about it. They pride themselves too much on their food, and are extremely offended that I can reproduce their dishes with ease (they pride themselves in Indian food being "difficult").

It's fine, and everyone should be able to find something, but totally overrated.

Did you just call Indian food trendy? Because it's been around for like longer than America times 100.

Sure, but it hasn't been popular in this country for that long. UK maybe, but not here. It is indeed growing in popularity: 20 years ago it was rare to see an Indian restaurant outside a major metropolitan area. "Trendy" may not be the right term, because its likely here to stay--but so is Chinese food, and it certainly isn't as trendy as it was when I was a child. Chinese food is not cool, hip, or trendy. Indian food? Perhaps...

For my money, it's Vietnamese food all the way

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It's fascinating to read everyone's responses--thanks!

I just want to clarify that my intent was not to disparage Indian cuisine. I'm merely trying to figure out if I was missing something, because Indian cuisine is so popular, and I pride myself on being open to new things (and this is no niche or fad--I want to like it).

After reading these replies, It's obvious that Indian cuisine is nuanced and regional (duh--its a large country!). I believe I've tried a few lunch hour, takeout-type places--places that probably muddle everything together and, as a result, the subtle nuances are lost in generic, overly-sauced/spiced dishes.

TBH, I'm not in the DC area (I'm in CT, 45 mins from NYC). I think I'll have to pick a quality place in the city to try!

Meh, take solace in the fact that the "trend" is dying, and the Indian coworkers are bitter about it. They pride themselves too much on their food, and are extremely offended that I can reproduce their dishes with ease (they pride themselves in Indian food being "difficult").

It's fine, and everyone should be able to find something, but totally overrated.

Did you just call Indian food trendy? Because it's been around for like longer than America times 100.

Sure, but it hasn't been popular in this country for that long. UK maybe, but not here. It is indeed growing in popularity: 20 years ago it was rare to see an Indian restaurant outside a major metropolitan area. "Trendy" may not be the right term, because its likely here to stay--but so is Chinese food, and it certainly isn't as trendy as it was when I was a child. Chinese food is not cool, hip, or trendy. Indian food? Perhaps...

For my money, it's Vietnamese food all the way

Why choose? That's the great thing about living in a major metropolitan area. Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Burmese, etc ... I will happily eat it all! I have tried 3 different pho places in the last month. Awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It's fascinating to read everyone's responses--thanks!

I just want to clarify that my intent was not to disparage Indian cuisine. I'm merely trying to figure out if I was missing something, because Indian cuisine is so popular, and I pride myself on being open to new things (and this is no niche or fad--I want to like it).

After reading these replies, It's obvious that Indian cuisine is nuanced and regional (duh--its a large country!). I believe I've tried a few lunch hour, takeout-type places--places that probably muddle everything together and, as a result, the subtle nuances are lost in generic, overly-sauced/spiced dishes.

TBH, I'm not in the DC area (I'm in CT, 45 mins from NYC). I think I'll have to pick a quality place in the city to try!

Meh, take solace in the fact that the "trend" is dying, and the Indian coworkers are bitter about it. They pride themselves too much on their food, and are extremely offended that I can reproduce their dishes with ease (they pride themselves in Indian food being "difficult").

It's fine, and everyone should be able to find something, but totally overrated.

Did you just call Indian food trendy? Because it's been around for like longer than America times 100.

Sure, but it hasn't been popular in this country for that long. UK maybe, but not here. It is indeed growing in popularity: 20 years ago it was rare to see an Indian restaurant outside a major metropolitan area. "Trendy" may not be the right term, because its likely here to stay--but so is Chinese food, and it certainly isn't as trendy as it was when I was a child. Chinese food is not cool, hip, or trendy. Indian food? Perhaps...

For my money, it's Vietnamese food all the way

I first had Indian food in Boston, in 1980. There were several Indian restaurants in my area. When I lived in Baltimore in the late 80s, there were several Indian restaurants I went to regularly.

Whether it is cool or hip does not particularly concern me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had both Indian home cooked and restaurant food (in India, the US, the UK and elsewhere). A lot of oil/ghee is involved, too much for my preference. Not a fan of all the spice pods left in the dishes and you're expected to sift around it. Obesity and diabetes are a growing problem among middle class Indians so it's not exactly the healthiest cuisine if you don't watch it, but that's probably true for most cuisines.

Did enjoy some dishes. Others less so. Dosis are nice as are appams from South India.

Most home cooks use very little oil. For 3 lbs of fresh veggies I'd use a tablespoon or two of oil, which hardly seems excessive. Perhaps they are making food that they think a non-Indian would like?

I'm married to an Indian man and this is not true in my experience. The homemade Indian food that I've eaten, from the curries to the vegetables, is typically drowning in oil.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had both Indian home cooked and restaurant food (in India, the US, the UK and elsewhere). A lot of oil/ghee is involved, too much for my preference. Not a fan of all the spice pods left in the dishes and you're expected to sift around it. Obesity and diabetes are a growing problem among middle class Indians so it's not exactly the healthiest cuisine if you don't watch it, but that's probably true for most cuisines.

Did enjoy some dishes. Others less so. Dosis are nice as are appams from South India.

Most home cooks use very little oil. For 3 lbs of fresh veggies I'd use a tablespoon or two of oil, which hardly seems excessive. Perhaps they are making food that they think a non-Indian would like?

I'm married to an Indian man and this is not true in my experience. The homemade Indian food that I've eaten, from the curries to the vegetables, is typically drowning in oil.

Where is your husband from? I am from Punjab and my husband is from south India and nothing our families make are drowning in oil. We all are fairly health conscious, though. The amount of oil in home cooked food prepared by me, my mom, cousins, aunts, etc., is a fraction of what's in a restaurant.

I do wonder whether people add more oil and make greasier dishes (paneer, korma, meat) to accommodate people who they think might not like "real" Indian food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had both Indian home cooked and restaurant food (in India, the US, the UK and elsewhere). A lot of oil/ghee is involved, too much for my preference. Not a fan of all the spice pods left in the dishes and you're expected to sift around it. Obesity and diabetes are a growing problem among middle class Indians so it's not exactly the healthiest cuisine if you don't watch it, but that's probably true for most cuisines.

Did enjoy some dishes. Others less so. Dosis are nice as are appams from South India.

Most home cooks use very little oil. For 3 lbs of fresh veggies I'd use a tablespoon or two of oil, which hardly seems excessive. Perhaps they are making food that they think a non-Indian would like?

I'm married to an Indian man and this is not true in my experience. The homemade Indian food that I've eaten, from the curries to the vegetables, is typically drowning in oil.

Where is your husband from? I am from Punjab and my husband is from south India and nothing our families make are drowning in oil. We all are fairly health conscious, though. The amount of oil in home cooked food prepared by me, my mom, cousins, aunts, etc., is a fraction of what's in a restaurant.

I do wonder whether people add more oil and make greasier dishes (paneer, korma, meat) to accommodate people who they think might not like "real" Indian food.

I'm from Gujarat (northwest), and my mother used very little oil in her everyday cooking. The oily foods were saved for special occasions with guests, etc. and my family was not a big fan of that style of cooking.

[Anonymous]

As we all know, there are Americans who eat healthily and there are Americans who eat poorly. I'm sure the exact same can be said for Indians. One family may douse everything in ghee, others will be ascetic when it comes to food. I've eaten enough Indian home cooking to know that there's lots and lots of both. And obesity is definitely a growing problem among middle class Indians and so many men have the potbellies from a high carbohydrate diet with rice and too much refined rice can lead to diabetes (along with others). And let's not even get into typical Indian sweets. Indians *love* their sweets and it is possibly the most intensely sweet, sugary, sweets in the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: ... If your palate is not used to them and not able to properly discern the flavors then it does become overwhelming and can be too much. Especially so if you didn't grow up with these flavors. ...

No, the problem is I can discern all of them and there are way too many.

[Anonymous]

Every cuisine is not for every palette. It's fine. I'm South Indian and I love Indian food, and I think it's one of the most delicious cuisines in the world. I don't like Ethiopian, or what I have eaten in restaurants, anyway. It's just not compatible with my tastebuds, but it's probably just me since there are lines out the door at the various Ethiopian restaurant I've come across. It's just a matter of taste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As we all know, there are Americans who eat healthily and there are Americans who eat poorly. I'm sure the exact same can be said for Indians. One family may douse everything in ghee, others will be ascetic when it comes to food. I've eaten enough Indian home cooking to know that there's lots and lots of both. And obesity is definitely a growing problem among middle class Indians and so many men have the potbellies from a high carbohydrate diet with rice and too much refined rice can lead to diabetes (along with others). And let's not even get into typical Indian sweets. Indians *love* their sweets and it is possibly the most intensely sweet, sugary, sweets in the world.

The sweets thing is true. I have a high sugar tolerance and rarely find a sweet I don't like, but I can't stomach most Indian sweets. Every time we go to an Indian grocery (a couple times a year to stock up on spices -- not Indian but we like to cook some Indian recipes) we are excited to try the different kinds of sweets, but invariably I can't eat them. DH enjoys them though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since when does everyone have to like the same kinds of food?

I also love Mexican, Indian, Vietnamese, Lao, Persian, Filipino, Greek, some Japanese and some Caribbean cuisines.

I don't like French, Italian, Scottish, Nordic cuisine, and honestly not American food either. Not a fan of the standard British and Irish foods either. To me, there is not enough flavor and not enough vegetables. Too bland and I would never spend money at a restaurant for American food. So simple to make and overpriced.

When I eat meat, it should have the taste and aroma of a proper blend of spices. I don't like the taste of just meat/flesh, nor do I like the texture of big hunks of it. It should be marinated properly or cut into small pieces.

With Indian food, you need to understand the subtleties of the different spices that you are eating. Sometimes they are in the food for flavor, other times certain spices pair well with certain foods because it aids in the digestion process of that particle food item or the enhances the nutritional profile. Spices are some of nature's most amazing food items because they have so many variables to them. Nutrition, flavor, digestion, color, etc.

If your palate is not used to them and not able to properly discern the flavors then it does become overwhelming and can be too much. Especially so if you didn't grow up with these flavors.

So everyone is different. If you don't like a type of food, then don't eat it. Why do you think you have to like something just because others do? Some introspection might be needed.

Agree! I don't go out for American food. What I can make at home is better. To each his own.

I have never heard of anyone who doesn't like Italian food. The best cuisine in the world. I guess there is a first time for everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: ... If your palate is not used to them and not able to properly discern the flavors then it does become overwhelming and can be too much. Especially so if you didn't grow up with these flavors. ...

No, the problem is I can discern all of them and there are way too many.

Again, this is YOUR palette. Not everyone is YOU. It's way to many for YOU.

To me it tastes like the perfect blending and harmony of spices. To you, it overwhelms. Get it? We're all different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: ... If your palate is not used to them and not able to properly discern the flavors then it does become overwhelming and can be too much. Especially so if you didn't grow up with these flavors. ...

No, the problem is I can discern all of them and there are way too many.

Again, this is YOUR palette. Not everyone is YOU. It's way to many for YOU.

To me it tastes like the perfect blending and harmony of spices. To you, it overwhelms. Get it? We're all different.

Um, relax lady. No need to take this so personally!