Help with Indian Food?
05-19-2008, 05:45 PM
#1
is learning to moonwalk i
Thread Starter
Help with Indian Food?
I finally got my wife to try Indian food a few weeks ago and there were a couple of things she liked. This weekend she craved it and we ate it for 3 different meals. So now I want to find a few easy recipes and/or mixes/packaged foods that are worth trying.
FWIW, she liked the lamb palak the most. I'd like a nice Chicken Tika marinade and a good curry recipe.
Any suggestions? I might try a few of the packages at Trader Joe's.
FWIW, she liked the lamb palak the most. I'd like a nice Chicken Tika marinade and a good curry recipe.
Any suggestions? I might try a few of the packages at Trader Joe's.
05-20-2008, 02:41 AM
#2
Go Giants
:poop:
05-20-2008, 03:40 PM
#3
is learning to moonwalk i
Thread Starter
^^ Thanks for that, but it usually comes after the mean.
Does this mean that no one knows how to cook Indian food or that no one ever goes into this forum since Cali left?
Does this mean that no one knows how to cook Indian food or that no one ever goes into this forum since Cali left?
05-20-2008, 03:49 PM
#4
Go Giants
Originally Posted by moeronn
^^ Thanks for that, but it usually comes after the mean.
Does this mean that no one knows how to cook Indian food or that no one ever goes into this forum since Cali left?
Does this mean that no one knows how to cook Indian food or that no one ever goes into this forum since Cali left?
05-20-2008, 04:22 PM
#5
Drifting
You can try the local Indian grocery store. They generally have ready-made curry mixes available in packets now.
You just need to buy the meat and any other ingredient it lists on the packet to add...
Good Luck
You just need to buy the meat and any other ingredient it lists on the packet to add...
Good Luck
05-20-2008, 05:02 PM
#7
is learning to moonwalk i
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by jmathew34
You can try the local Indian grocery store. They generally have ready-made curry mixes available in packets now.
You just need to buy the meat and any other ingredient it lists on the packet to add...
Good Luck
You just need to buy the meat and any other ingredient it lists on the packet to add...
Good Luck
I was naive enough to go into Cost Plus and buy some different spice mixes there. Then we went to an "Indian area" and walked into the grocery store. Shouldn't have bothered with Cost Plus.
Originally Posted by zeroday
probably gonna need to put some curry in it.
thats all i got.
thats all i got.
Brilliant!!
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05-21-2008, 08:54 PM
#9
Senior Moderator
moe: The fiancee and I don't mind the occasional Indian food either. It can be fast if you're lazy about it too. Not sure if they sell it in the US, but when we want to shortcut it, we usually use pre-made sauces made by Patak's.
Throw in some white fish or meat...some veggies. Naan bread in the oven. And voila...dinner in about 20 minutes.
Throw in some white fish or meat...some veggies. Naan bread in the oven. And voila...dinner in about 20 minutes.
05-23-2008, 12:32 PM
#10
is learning to moonwalk i
Thread Starter
m733l - thanks, will check them out. There are a few around work and a couple not too far from home. But I thought they were more geared towards the non-Indian Asians
Yumchah - I'll look for those. So far, the only thing we've made at home was chick-peas (garbanzo beans) in a spinach sauce. Oh the power of free samples at the stores. That's probably what encouraged my wife to try the Indian restaurants.
Yumchah - I'll look for those. So far, the only thing we've made at home was chick-peas (garbanzo beans) in a spinach sauce. Oh the power of free samples at the stores. That's probably what encouraged my wife to try the Indian restaurants.
05-23-2008, 12:47 PM
#11
moeronn, being Indian, I find that most pre-made curries are disgusting. Too much oil, too much salt, too many preservatives. I'm a vegetarian so I've never had pre-made (or any) meat dishes, but often the base is the same. You can't beat home cooking.
05-23-2008, 01:06 PM
#12
is learning to moonwalk i
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by AMGala
moeronn, being Indian, I find that most pre-made curries are disgusting. Too much oil, too much salt, too many preservatives. I'm a vegetarian so I've never had pre-made (or any) meat dishes, but often the base is the same. You can't beat home cooking.
I might try and pick up a cookbook, but it will probably just sit on the shelf like the 10 other's that I've only paged through.
05-23-2008, 02:02 PM
#14
Originally Posted by moeronn
Well, unless you plan on giving me some cooking classes, I don't really have too many options. I agree that the pre-packaged stuff is not as good taste wise or for you as home-made, but it will do in a pinch.
I might try and pick up a cookbook, but it will probably just sit on the shelf like the 10 other's that I've only paged through.
I might try and pick up a cookbook, but it will probably just sit on the shelf like the 10 other's that I've only paged through.
http://youtube.com/results?search_qu...d&search_type=
05-25-2008, 03:04 AM
#15
Originally Posted by moeronn
m733l - thanks, will check them out. There are a few around work and a couple not too far from home. But I thought they were more geared towards the non-Indian Asians
Yumchah - I'll look for those. So far, the only thing we've made at home was chick-peas (garbanzo beans) in a spinach sauce. Oh the power of free samples at the stores. That's probably what encouraged my wife to try the Indian restaurants.
Yumchah - I'll look for those. So far, the only thing we've made at home was chick-peas (garbanzo beans) in a spinach sauce. Oh the power of free samples at the stores. That's probably what encouraged my wife to try the Indian restaurants.
05-25-2008, 04:11 PM
#16
I Skydive, Therefore I Am
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Williams Sonoma has a great Tikka Masala sauce in a jar. When the wife and I are craving Indian and don't want to work too hard that is what we go for. I couldn't find it on their website, but I have seen it in every store I've been to.
Otherwise, Jamie Oliver has a great Chicken Tikka Masala recipe in The Naked Chef (I think) that is really yummy, but it's not an authentic dish. It's not terribly difficult to make either.
Otherwise, Jamie Oliver has a great Chicken Tikka Masala recipe in The Naked Chef (I think) that is really yummy, but it's not an authentic dish. It's not terribly difficult to make either.
05-25-2008, 10:27 PM
#17
I am #76,361,211,935
Dunno if you can find it in SoCal but there's a brand called "Pataks" that is in all the major grocery chains up here and they make a whole line of curry pastes (Vindaloo, Korma, Tikka,
Masala, Madras, Biryani, Tandoori and on and on)
http://www.pataks.com/
The jars of curry paste do all the "hard" work of Indian cooking for you. A typical recipe will
tell you to cut up and brown your meat of choice, saute an onion and some garlic and ginger, then stir in a spoonful of Pataks curry paste "X" and 2 spoons of Pataks curry paste "Y", stir in yogurt and a tin of tomatos - simmer and serve over rice.
Foolproof Indian cooking for white folks. There is a large Indian community here and Indian restaurants are everywhere - I know what good Indian food tastes like. While dishes made
using Pataks curry pastes may not be perfectly authentic, they pretty much always taste
really good. I've had some Indian friends taste-test my Matter Paneer (peas and squeaky cheese in a creamy curry) and as much as they scoff at me for buying pre-made curry paste
even they admitted it was "very tasty".
Masala, Madras, Biryani, Tandoori and on and on)
http://www.pataks.com/
The jars of curry paste do all the "hard" work of Indian cooking for you. A typical recipe will
tell you to cut up and brown your meat of choice, saute an onion and some garlic and ginger, then stir in a spoonful of Pataks curry paste "X" and 2 spoons of Pataks curry paste "Y", stir in yogurt and a tin of tomatos - simmer and serve over rice.
Foolproof Indian cooking for white folks. There is a large Indian community here and Indian restaurants are everywhere - I know what good Indian food tastes like. While dishes made
using Pataks curry pastes may not be perfectly authentic, they pretty much always taste
really good. I've had some Indian friends taste-test my Matter Paneer (peas and squeaky cheese in a creamy curry) and as much as they scoff at me for buying pre-made curry paste
even they admitted it was "very tasty".
05-31-2008, 12:13 PM
#19
Senior Moderator
Where is Jatt when you need him...
Anyways, I usually buy the premade stuff at Trader Joes. Some of it is good and tastes dead on. The other option as others have suggested is get premade marinades and curries at local indian store.
<--- Indian
Anyways, I usually buy the premade stuff at Trader Joes. Some of it is good and tastes dead on. The other option as others have suggested is get premade marinades and curries at local indian store.
<--- Indian
06-03-2008, 02:22 PM
#21
is learning to moonwalk i
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by cTLgo
Where is Jatt when you need him...
Anyways, I usually buy the premade stuff at Trader Joes. Some of it is good and tastes dead on. The other option as others have suggested is get premade marinades and curries at local indian store.
<--- Indian
Anyways, I usually buy the premade stuff at Trader Joes. Some of it is good and tastes dead on. The other option as others have suggested is get premade marinades and curries at local indian store.
<--- Indian
Alright, I'm going to look the the Trader Joe's selection again and also look through some of the Indian markets.
Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
We also just went to an Indian/Pakistani restaurant for dinner on Sunday. We peeked in a couple of weeks ago before deciding on another place for lunch but decided to give it a try. Food was good, but a bit spicy for the wife. Both times we went in we were the only non-Indian/non-Pakistani people there, so it must be pretty authentic.
The place we went for lunch buffet a couple of weeks ago had a very diverse crowd.
11-18-2008, 03:23 PM
#22
is learning to moonwalk i
Thread Starter
I tried making a Chicken Curry dish last night and it came out meh.
I think one problem was that I was trying to apply one recipe to another application - trying to make a stew-type dish with a dry recipe. I sauted some onions and garlic (no ginger) then added curry pouder and chicken. After browning the chicken. If I just added salt and stopped there it might have been fine for a dry recipe. Instead, I added tomato sauce (instead of diced tomatoes) and water. It lacked salt, but even after adding that the taste was very plain.
Any ideas what I'm missing? Does the ginger really make that much of a difference?
PS The Trader Joe's Naan if pretty tastey.
PPS I got really weird, almost dirty looks from everyone when I went shopping in the Indian Markets. Even worse looks when I started talking about adding meat to the dishes when asking questions.
I think one problem was that I was trying to apply one recipe to another application - trying to make a stew-type dish with a dry recipe. I sauted some onions and garlic (no ginger) then added curry pouder and chicken. After browning the chicken. If I just added salt and stopped there it might have been fine for a dry recipe. Instead, I added tomato sauce (instead of diced tomatoes) and water. It lacked salt, but even after adding that the taste was very plain.
Any ideas what I'm missing? Does the ginger really make that much of a difference?
PS The Trader Joe's Naan if pretty tastey.
PPS I got really weird, almost dirty looks from everyone when I went shopping in the Indian Markets. Even worse looks when I started talking about adding meat to the dishes when asking questions.
11-18-2008, 03:43 PM
#23
The sizzle in the Steak
I either eat out for Indian....or 
Trader Joe's is pretty good for quick and easy at home.
Trader Joe's is pretty good for quick and easy at home.
11-18-2008, 04:06 PM
#26
is learning to moonwalk i
Thread Starter
FWIW, I looked into some mix packets and most of them still have you add so many ingredients that I can't imagine what is even in the packets.
Also, I am not a fan of paneer and am scared to even try ghee (sp?)
No. What are they?
Also, I am not a fan of paneer and am scared to even try ghee (sp?)
No. What are they?
11-18-2008, 04:32 PM
#28
good luck
1) curry powder sold in stores is not used in any curry in indian food
-- its actually a combo of actual spices
2) the chicken tikka mixes (powder) are good. just add the ingredients it tells you to -- chopped garlic, ginger, lemon juice, oil, yogurt. let it marinade for a while and throw them in the rotisserie, grill them, or bake them (elevated on soaked wooden dowels, if possible).
the lamb palak is meh. never liked it, never tried to make it.
1) curry powder sold in stores is not used in any curry in indian food
-- its actually a combo of actual spices
2) the chicken tikka mixes (powder) are good. just add the ingredients it tells you to -- chopped garlic, ginger, lemon juice, oil, yogurt. let it marinade for a while and throw them in the rotisserie, grill them, or bake them (elevated on soaked wooden dowels, if possible).
the lamb palak is meh. never liked it, never tried to make it.
11-18-2008, 04:41 PM
#29
is learning to moonwalk i
Thread Starter
good luck
1) curry powder sold in stores is not used in any curry in indian food
-- its actually a combo of actual spices
2) the chicken tikka mixes (powder) are good. just add the ingredients it tells you to -- chopped garlic, ginger, lemon juice, oil, yogurt. let it marinade for a while and throw them in the rotisserie, grill them, or bake them (elevated on soaked wooden dowels, if possible).
the lamb palak is meh. never liked it, never tried to make it.
1) curry powder sold in stores is not used in any curry in indian food
-- its actually a combo of actual spices
2) the chicken tikka mixes (powder) are good. just add the ingredients it tells you to -- chopped garlic, ginger, lemon juice, oil, yogurt. let it marinade for a while and throw them in the rotisserie, grill them, or bake them (elevated on soaked wooden dowels, if possible).
the lamb palak is meh. never liked it, never tried to make it.
11-18-2008, 04:54 PM
#30
Three Wheelin'
Try this website, it has a bunch of pretty simple and tasty recipes.
http://cookingwithbj.com/bjcooking/index.php
And yes, I realize the name is quite unfortunate
http://cookingwithbj.com/bjcooking/index.php
And yes, I realize the name is quite unfortunate
12-17-2008, 02:16 PM
#34
Drifting
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My gf loves Indian food. She picks up a bunch of pre made sauces in boxes and jars from Jewel and just adds her own things such as coconut milk, peas and carrots, or peas and sometimes lamb meat from the meat dept.
12-17-2008, 10:51 PM
#36
Needs more Lemon Pledge
How do these recipes work w.o the yogurt?
I am Lactard, hear me fart.
I am Lactard, hear me fart.
12-17-2008, 11:25 PM
#37
is learning to moonwalk i
Thread Starter
12-18-2008, 12:49 AM
#38
The Third Ball
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So what I'm saying is EAT MOTHERFUCKER EAT!!!
or pop some lactaid pills...I should try those actually.
12-18-2008, 01:19 AM
#39
Needs more Lemon Pledge
The pills work. Usually. Problem is, I never know when 'usually' isn't going to apply until about four hours later....
Then...
Then...
12-18-2008, 01:37 AM
#40
The Third Ball
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Heavy cream sauces...hit or miss.