India is a culture that stimulates ones senses in many ways. The eyes see bright colors in the buildings, fabrics and clothes and in their fresh fruits and veggies. The eyes are also irritated from the smoke and pollution in the air. It is the smell that is hard to deal with. We long for the clean, fresh smell of the US. The ears are always being stimulated by noise. It can range from the Muslim call to worship which is on one side and the Christian loudspeaker on the other side of us. Once we are out in the city we hear horns on the cars and trucks making way though the traffic , people and animals all in tight spaces. It will be quiet going back to the US.
Eating here is a sensory experience. The dishes are colorful and flavorful. The basics are rice, beans and lentils. Onions and garlic is added them spices and veggies. One can use everything or very little. We use tomatoes, sweet and white potatoes, eggplant, carrots, green beans and whatever we find in the market. Spices we use can be curry leaves, black pepper, black mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chilies, turmeric, cinnamon.
We can get sliced , dry white bread as well as local bread. Rosti is like a tortilla but more flavor and nor is like a flat pita. We have loved Rosti because we can have our version of burritos.
Animal protein available is only chicken, eggs and yogurt. One goes to the chicken place and watch them kill the chicken, takes the skin and feathers off and hands u the bird. Warm and fresh! We cook them in a pressure cooker and uses the broth for stews and chicken for stews and burritos. There is very little beef and park available. The cow is sacred and the water buffalo is used for milk. It maybe available in large cities but not here.
Eating here is a sensory experience. The dishes are colorful and flavorful. The basics are rice, beans and lentils. Onions and garlic is added them spices and veggies. One can use everything or very little. We use tomatoes, sweet and white potatoes, eggplant, carrots, green beans and whatever we find in the market. Spices we use can be curry leaves, black pepper, black mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chilies, turmeric, cinnamon.
We can get sliced , dry white bread as well as local bread. Rosti is like a tortilla but more flavor and nor is like a flat pita. We have loved Rosti because we can have our version of burritos.
Animal protein available is only chicken, eggs and yogurt. One goes to the chicken place and watch them kill the chicken, takes the skin and feathers off and hands u the bird. Warm and fresh! We cook them in a pressure cooker and uses the broth for stews and chicken for stews and burritos. There is very little beef and park available. The cow is sacred and the water buffalo is used for milk. It maybe available in large cities but not here.
Lesson- we bought canned chicken from Costco here. But they don't have can openers because they don't use that form of food preservation. It's a good thing we have veterans on this team. They can get them open. Funny but difference in culture!
I will address shopping in another time.
Food pre p takes a long time. It's fresh but lots of work. Chopping, cleaning, simmering,sautéing and making sure it's safe to eat. It's time to go and make chicken and dumplings.
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