Browsing: Indian food

Indians have whole-heartedly embraced this American festival because it is inherently about what Indians believe in – togetherness, family and gratitude to the almighty. Thanksgiving is also about expressing gratitude for making it in a new world.

New immigrants in ethnic enclaves tend to have a stronger support system but once they fly the coop into the prestigious suburbs and into Americanization, there is a chasm of distances to overcome between friends. We are monetarily richer but are we poorer in friends?

Is it a restaurant or is it God’s Abode? Down in the basement of the Hindu Temple Society is a hidden gem where you can get the most amazing South Indian food and sumptuous dosas and vadas you will see in your dreams.

The menu included everything from malpuras (sweet breads) to pakoras, vada pav and ragda pattis (snacks) to main courses including Paneer ki Khurchan and dessert of rich kulfis served in little clay pots. There were mounds of jalebis and multicolored mithai. Fresh puris made of green peas were being fried on the spot.

Have you eaten Pressure Cooker Pulao, Champaran meat or Gurda Kapoora – goat kidney and testicles – lately? Though these are authentic Indian dishes, chances are you haven’t tasted them in America. Now you will get to try them at Chef-partner Chintan Pandya and restaurateur  new eatery ‘Dhamaka’, which has just opened in New York

The tea had a special earthy flavor in this cup and the fact that the clay container would once again become one with nature seemed a beautiful idea. After all, aren’t ancient civilizations traced out by the clay remains of their days?

Our civilization of course will probably be remembered by the piles of plastic containers and garbage stuffed landfills we will leave behind! So the idea of the reborn clay utensils really appealed to me.