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My husband and I are not very familiar with Indian food, but we'd like to give it a try.
There's a restaurant nearby that has some good reviews.
What are your favorite dishes to order in a restaurant, especially for beginners?
Any tips for eating or ordering?
Is it generally like Thai food, where you can kind of tell them how hot you'd like it?
Are chapatis always served with the food, and do you use them like a tortilla or like bread on the side?
I have had terrible luck with the Indian restaurants I've tried (no, they weren't in India). However, I received a collection of traditional Indian spices as a gift (Kitchen Curry Master), and I've been amazed at how wonderful Indian dishes are when prepared with fresh ingredients.
When I don't like a dish I've never tried before, I always wonder if it was prepared properly. Apparently, I was sampling Indian food that was improperly prepared, so it wasn't representative of Indian cuisine.
Can't go wrong with korma, tikka masala, palak paneer. Find an Indian buffet and you can try a bit of everything to see what you like. When I order off the menu they usually ask how hot I like it. The place I go to serves complimentary garlic naan, and the buffet has a wide selection including papadums and several chutneys, even dessert.
If you are a beginner, I suggest that you start with a Korma.
The waiter will advise you on what is hot and what is not, but curries are long simmered so it is unlikely that they can adjust the heat for you. If you don't like hot, you start with the less hot dishes.
Indian vegetable dishes (like green beans or cauliflower) can be excellent and they are usually not hot. There are also vegetarian dishes which are made with lentils or the like, not vegetables.
My husband and I are not very familiar with Indian food, but we'd like to give it a try.
There's a restaurant nearby that has some good reviews.
What are your favorite dishes to order in a restaurant, especially for beginners?
Any tips for eating or ordering?
Is it generally like Thai food, where you can kind of tell them how hot you'd like it?
Are chapatis always served with the food, and do you use them like a tortilla or like bread on the side?
I just want to go in somewhat prepared.
If you like meat I recommend keema ( spiced ground meat) and rice,lamb curry,butter chicken,tandoori chicken,chicken tikka. You can let them know how spicy you like it. Here in Canada if you want chapatis/rotis or naan you have to order it extra. When using roti/chapati one breaks a piece off and eats it with the food.
If you like lentil soups or chick pea daal or subzis/vegetable curries one usually eats it with roti/chapatis. It just tastes better. I have been cooking Punjabi food for over 30 years.
I like all kinds of paneers, but DH does not like cooked spinach; therefore, I only get it when at the buffet.
And, personally, I would suggest to the OP that they DO go to a buffet rather than order off the menu. Lunch buffet on weekends tend to be better, especially if they are located near an active Indian community. While the food at the buffet is never as good as off the menu, it will give you a great opportunity to try many things. Nearly all buffets will have at least one each of a paneer, a masala, a biryani and a lentil dish (usually dal). Nearly all buffets will have tandoori chicken, or they will bring it to you, and na'an (which I consider essential) will be brought to your table freshly cooked. Go hungry and skip the salad stuff.
I wish I could say I like it as I'm not a picky eater and enjoy most of the ingredients that are used. But every time I eat Indian foods this quote from "Amadeus" comes to mind:
I like spices but the number involved in those intricate dishes just jumbles up on my tastebuds.
I had a friend from India in the Seventies and she often entertained us with pakoras or samosas and I did love those. I also enjoy the breads.
My daughter is skilled in Indian cooking. In addition to her regular chef's job she cooks for a pair of American doctors from India and their daughters.
She just tells me I'm not experienced enough yet and have to keep trying!
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