| Sooner or later we all get bored with the same food | | | | waiter or the cook what's the dish made of and how |
| day in day out and look for something new, something | | | | hot it will be. You're probably new to this culture and it's |
| we haven't tried yet. Indian food is a great way of | | | | all but strange to be curious. |
| getting to know more of world cuisines. There is a | | | | 3. Thoroughly wash your hands before sitting to the |
| rather common misconception about Indian food, | | | | table. This obviously goes without saying, but you'll see |
| apparently some people think Indian dishes are full of | | | | why I emphasize it. A lot of Indian dishes are eaten |
| fat, curry powder, myriads of spices and are really hot. | | | | with bare hand without cutlery, and hygienic reasons |
| I'm comfortable with saying that this is not true. There | | | | as well as good manner dictates that you wash hands |
| is a vast amount of recipes that are using only a few | | | | before eating. Use your right hand to eat because the |
| or even one key spice to bring out the flavors of | | | | left hand is considered unclean in Indian culture. If you |
| ingredients used and though there are those 'sinful' | | | | don't think you'd like to use your fingers to pick rice by |
| Indian recipes, a lot of them are really health and | | | | all means go on and ask for cutlery. Staff of these |
| consist of wonderfully roasted, steamed or fried | | | | restaurants are used to these questions. |
| vegetables. | | | | 4. Always pick dishes that go together. If you have a |
| Sometimes there is just no time or enough | | | | hot main course, try to get lentils for side dish, or some |
| self-confidence to cook something foreign and this is | | | | of the milder plates. Kashmiri food is usually a mild |
| when an Indian restaurant comes handy. I'd put | | | | creamy serving that comes with rice or flat bread. If |
| together a five points list to make sure your first | | | | you don't know what to pick, always ask the chef or |
| experience with Indian food is as good as these dishes | | | | the waiters, they will be happy to answer these |
| deserve. | | | | questions as they mean you care about what you eat. |
| 1. Pick a good restaurant. However this is not always | | | | People like if you show interest in their culture. |
| true but most of the time you pay more for better | | | | 5. Find someone more experienced and take their |
| service. Don't let some of the higher price tags to put | | | | advice. If you have friends who like Indian restaurants |
| you off, the best restaurants make their gravy and | | | | and food, you can go with them and try some of their |
| spice mixes from scratch using only the best quality | | | | suggestions as well as have a great time eating out. |
| components. This process is time consuming and | | | | Indian restaurants are rather easy to pick, but as a |
| costs more than using canned ingredients but you'll | | | | sixth step I'd suggest doing some homework and |
| probably agree with me when I say the result is worth | | | | looking up local places and Indian food recipes first. |
| it. | | | | You'll probably find something you want to try and can |
| 2. Educate yourself about items on the menu. If you | | | | make at home later, when you've realized it's not all |
| are not sure which name means which food, ask a | | | | that hard to make these delicious dishes on your own. |
| waiter or someone you trust. It's not rude to ask a | | | | |