I need help eating Indian food

[GotGarlic]

Originally Posted by AMSeccia

Intriguing ... I have not tried Indian food, and it sounds rather complicated. I have a business acquaintance who had me convinced that it was mostly vegan! Obviously, we are a bit behind the times here in WI!

It's not complicated - just different To me, it's similar to eating Middle Eastern food, where you tear off a piece of pita bread and load it up with whatever is being served.

And some Indian food is vegetarian, but not vegan. Yogurt and yogurt-based sauces like raita are common.

This site has some good recipes, to give you an idea of what the food is like: Hooked: On Heat.

[DrThunder88]

Definitely try Indian food if you get a chance! There was an Indian place near campus that offered half-price food after 11PM. I'd never tried it before, but my roommate convinced me to go (partially because I was interested in trying it, but mostly because I'm cheap and stay up late!) I believe his parents brought their family to the US just after he was born, and every so often they'd bring him some homemade food that he'd share!

My other roommate that year had family in the area that owned an Italian bakery. They'd occasionally bring around some biscotti for him. That was a good year!

[AMSeccia]

I don't know where you went to school, but I'd say you struck GOLD.

[radhuni]

Here is what I mean. There are always at least three chutneys to choose from. Today they had a tomato chutney, mint chutney, and coconut chutney. I love the tomato and always get some, but I am not sure what I am supposed to do with it. What I have been doing is ripping off a piece of naan and dipping it in. I also dip my dosa in the chutney sometimes. Is this the right thing to do or an I making a mistake?

My other question has to do with all the dishes that are in a sauce with a very thin constancy. Often times there will be 5 or 6 things on the buffet like this. There may be Lamb Rogan Josh, Chicken Tika Masala, some sort of Dal dish that is very thin and maybe a few others. Are these all supposed to go over rice? That is what I have been doing, but that seems like so much rice.

You should take only one spoonful rice with one item.

Actually there is no rule or table manners for Indian food. You can do whatever you feel like. The rules also vary from region to region in India.
There is a general rule how you can serially take those

dishes that are in a sauce with a very thin constancy.

and that is as follows:
1.dal with vajy
2.sabji or torkari
3.fish in thick mustard sauce
4.fish with thin gravy
5.Prawn (if any)
6.chicken dish
7.mutton dish
8.chutney & papad
9.dahi
10.sweets
11.paan (beatle leaf with beatle nuts)