'India Week' - Food - Part I
Even as I was on the plane on my way to India for the first time, I noticed that I had to choose between a 'vegetarian' and a 'non-vegetarian' menu. Later I realized that this is a very common choice you make here when you go to a restaurant, when you have a meal on a long train ride, when you go to a party, etc.
I also learned that 'non-vegetarian' means chicken, mutton (sheep) or fish, but not beef. However, it's not true that you don't get beef in India...it's just that hindus don't consume it, but muslims and christians do. Whenever a Catholic neighbor of mine wants to share something she has cooked with beef in it, she gives it to me as she whispers: 'this has beef in it'. It's as if she wants to show respect and doesn't want the hindu neighbors to hear!
I grew up as a non-vegetarian. Since I've been in India, I've been practically eating a vegetarian menu (except when I have fish). That's why I was thrilled to have a burger at a nearby restaurant, called Kobe's. This was in Feb. 2005.
This is a picture of a cup of 'bed-tea'. Many people, including MasalaDad, start their day with a cup of chai: pre-heat water, add a teaspoon of tea and sugar; add milk and bring it to a boil. Notice the 'Marie' biscuits (cookies) that are used for dipping in the tea. This picture shows MasalaDad's favorite cup, which is a souvenir from Erlangen's Weinachtmarkt, originally used to drink gluhwein.
When you go shopping, you will find a wide variety of rice and lentils (called, dals). Rice and dal are part of everyday lunch and they are eaten together. Fabi eats the type called 'moong dal' because it's a rich source of protein.
Every Indian household must have a pressure cooker! They come in all sizes. The sound of pressure cookers (which is quite loud) is very common throughout the day. Now I understand why Indians like to carry pressure cookers when they go to live abroad. Also notice the gas stove.
Labels: Life in India
posted by MasalaMom @ 12:08 PM
4 comments
4 What say? / Que me dicen? - Comments:
Mari..your too good!! I am an Indian but I would still be waiting to see India in a different perspective through your eyes through your posts !! One idea! Could you also add what you would do in a similar situation in Costa Rica so that we can get educated on Costa Rican culture ?For Example , what do you eat for breakfast and lunch in Costa Rica unlike tea , rice and dal here! It would be a double education !!
Great post! I especially liked the pic with the pressure cookers! We also use pressure cooker here (Switzerland), but only the big size! Coming in all sort of sizes is great!
Shweta: I like your idea! I'll try and mention how things are in Costa Rica (CR). Regarding your question about food, in CR coffee is more popular than tea. Another popular beverage is called 'sweet water' (agua dulce), which is made from sugarcane ('jaggery'). A complete lunch in CR consists of a serving of white rice, a salad, a serving of vegetables, a meat item (beef, chicken or fish), 'tortillas' (which is the equivalent of chapatis) and a fruit juice. Dessert and coffee after lunch is also popular.
I have to mention Costa Rica's typical dish 'Gallo Pinto', which is a mixture of rice and black beans.
I find that the food in the south of India is similar to the one in CR.
Reading about what you said about Indian food, we got hungry remembering when we ate Bel puri in the tour to Bombay with Arvin, and at the food court of Center One.
We think that Shwetas and Rajeev's comment is very smart; there are diffences and specially similarities that are interesting to know about.
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