Intro to Indian, Let’s Begin
Of the few complaints I get on Indian cooking, the one that stands most prominent is the myth that Indian cooking is just too hard. Yes, you heard me right, a myth! Now before you roll your eyes at me and say, “Yea sure, easy for you, you’re Indian!”, just hear me out. True, I was born Indian in an Indian household with a Mom who cooks the most delicious Indian food I know. But truth be told, and as much as I would like to believe, I wasn’t born with Indian culinary instincts in me. Yes, like any of you not familiar with the South-Asian cuisine, I too started off without much knowledge.
Try as I might, somehow, I can’t convince people enough on just how simple and quick and not to mention, healthy, Indian food can be. So here is where my mind got to work. I thought why not start a cooking class, and Indian food 101, if you will, introducing people to the simple basics of cooking Indian. A beginner’s course for all the eager enthusiasts willing to start from the top.
And with this, I announce the start of a fabulous series, Intro to Indian, where I will discuss how to make basic Indian food. We will begin with the essentials, and slowly move up to a point where you will be confident enough to throw in a pinch of this and a dash of that. Hopefully, through this series, you will see that once you know the bare minimum, the rest from then on is smooth sailing. And then maybe, just maybe, I will finally be able to dismiss the myth that Indian cooking is just too hard. Yes, you heard it right again, myth!
February 13th, 2007 01:27
Thanks & I’m very much looking forward to that.
You’re very welcome, Chritian!
February 13th, 2007 03:02
Sounds interesting Meena. Between your Intro to India and my Bollywood Cooking classes I am sure we will be able to enlighten many about the simplicity of Indian cuisine. Glad to see you have decided to join me on this mission
You bet Meeta, I’m sure together we’ll rif off all the fears that’s somehow associated with Indian cooking!
February 13th, 2007 07:06
Great, I’m looking forward to it!
Thanks!
February 13th, 2007 09:07
Meena,
This sounds great! My wife and I (both of us are not Indian) adore Indian food. We’ve taken to cooking it in our home and find it not very difficult as long the right ingredients are at hand. Thank you for all of the effort you put into your blog!
You’re most welcome Jim, I’m hoping my series would encourage more Indian food lovers like you to come up and give it a try. Once you get a hang of what goes with what, it’s a breeze!
February 13th, 2007 10:23
I’ve really started to like Indian food lately, and would love to know more of the basics so I can cook more authentic dishes. I’m really looking forward to this!
Hi Charise, I’m really looking forward to simplifying the process without compromising on the flavours. It’s not too hard once you know the bare essentials, and that what I’m all set to prove!
February 13th, 2007 10:44
Awesome idea. We love making Indian food and everyone is always impressed that 2 nonIndians can do it. This will be a big help to some people.
Thanks Rachel, I’m glad you think cooking Indian food is not at all hard. You’re absolutely right, once you know the basics, it won’t be long before you’ll be making you’re very own curry concoctions!
February 13th, 2007 11:08
Hi Meena,
I love your blog. I think this is a fantastic idea. I was wondering if you could possibly make videos of your cooking and maybe link the youtube file here, since that would make it much easier to follow as opposed to just reading a recipe.
Hey Shehzad, thanks for the suggestion. Though it sound like a superb idea, I’m afraid I’d have to put it on the shelf for later. You see, I usually cook my food during the day when I’m home, which means that I’m usually alone at home during those times. This would make it impossible for me to cook as well as take running videos of the process. But I do promise to be as clear and precise in my instructions so that you can follow the recipes clearly.
February 13th, 2007 12:06
Looking forward to it! Videos would be great!
February 13th, 2007 12:08
Wow, that is an awesome idea! I love Indian food but don’t cook it that often cause it always seems a little daunting. Looking forward to it!
February 13th, 2007 12:15
Yay! I’ve found the spot where you write regularly! Sorry for the long absence.
So does this mean that a cooking novice like myself could learn to cook Indian food, too? I might be interested if I can find some dishes that don’t contain meat or dairy (or maybe I can just tweak them and leave out whatever I wouldn’t eat). Go, vegans!
I’ll be interested to see what you come up with!
February 13th, 2007 13:08
I never found Indian cooking difficult. Maybe that’s because I learnt from my mum who, in a life before dad, had an Anglo-Indian mother-in-law. She still makes the best dhal in Hackney, after all these years. And she taught me how to bhagara.
February 13th, 2007 13:34
Yay! I can’t wait too. I think I’ve always been intimidated by the long list at the beginning of recipes. Show me the way!
February 13th, 2007 13:53
Hi Meena,
I tried making dahi bhindi today… came out really well… great recipe & very easy to make too. I have tried out a couple of recipes from your blog and each one of them have turned out well.I like the new look of your blog too.
Thanks for everything you do!
February 13th, 2007 14:41
I just placed an order with Penzey’s spices. I’m looking forward to some new ways to use them.
February 13th, 2007 16:14
Let’s get this party started!
February 13th, 2007 19:41
india has so many micro-cuisines. we’re looking forward to your series - which part of indian cuisine will you focus on? north indian?
February 13th, 2007 21:13
I’m looking forward to it, too. I hope it’s a myth, because I just love Indian food!
February 13th, 2007 22:36
This is great! I am so looking forward to it.
February 13th, 2007 23:47
Awesome !!!! start the classes soon lady.
February 15th, 2007 11:19
Lol …. just my way of cooking …
February 15th, 2007 21:33
You are a godsend!! Thank you so much for this. I’m a huge fan of Indian food and one of those who are intimidated by making them from scratch. So I’m looking forward to the lessons.
February 16th, 2007 12:38
Excellent work Meena. This is exactly why I started my blog in september 2006. I got sick of seeing how popular eating Indian food is and how unpopular cooking it is.
Just like you, I left India knowing zilch about Indian cooking. I taught myself because I loved Indian food so much. If it helps, there are lots of tips and information in the basic section of my blog.
Good luck and I’ll be back to check out the progress.
Thanks Mallika!! I’m really hoping this series would shed some light into the reality of cooking Indian food.
February 17th, 2007 01:02
Hi Meena,
An awesome blog with great photographs. Sure you will do very well about making indian food easy and do-able. It is. It just needs a shift in mind-set. In fact, much of our cooking is single step cooking once the ingredients are ready and the veggies have been chopped. Looking forward to many more interesting posts from you.
February 18th, 2007 00:51
This is a great idea. One of my goals this year is to start cooking Indian cuisine. Looking forward to future posts on this topic. Thanks!