I'm For An Indian

[jennyjoan]

On Thursday night - friend will be booking an Indian meal. I have never had one ever so will not know what to order.

Anybody advise. Thanks

[tonyav]

Tony how have you never ever had an Indian??


No I haven't, Smow.

[shoota]

I am currently a Felthamite 237 but don't frequent the restaurants here. Is that the big one near the park?

[Tashi]

If that was to me 237SJ, I am not sure where Feltham is. I own a Flat in Beckenham that is rented out at the moment as I am working elsewhere.

[EDDIE51]

Save time by buying it and throwing it straight down the bog!
Cut out the middleman!

[Mamyalynne]

You've obviously never eaten good Indian cuisine then Eddie.

I am surprised.

[kawanabe]

Vindaloo harks back to the time when the Goa Province was a base for Portugese Merchants - hence Vin d'Aloo - Potatoes cooked in Wine - the dish served in "Indian Restaurants",which by the way,are almost always owned/run by Families from Bangladesh,today bears no resemblance - and is usually "fiery hot".

Best to go with the U.K. favourite - Chicken Tikka Massala,a wholly British invention.Born in Scotland,I believe.

[anneasquith]

What's wrong with Chinese curry ?

[tonyav]

Dunno anne, I've never had one.

[anneasquith]

I like them !!!!!

[tonyav]

Good gal, I like Chow Meins though.

[anneasquith]

Good lad :-)

[Buenchico]

If I might return to Conne's original post here . . .

Many people order something to nibble on while waiting for their main course to arrive. If that takes your fancy, you won't go far wrong by ordering a couple of spiced poppadums. (Lovely!)

You normally need to order an accompaniment (such as some type of rice or bread) to go with your choice of main course. However if you order a Biryani dish you won't have to bother because it automatically comes with pilau rice. Further, Biryani dishes aren't too hot, so you could safely order one without fearing that you'd need to reach for the fire extinguisher! I'd usually choose Chicken Biryani but Lamb Biryani is also nice.

If you don't go for a Biryani dish, and order something else, be guided by the 'heat' categories or symbols on the menu. Then add an accompaniment of either pilau rice or a couple of naan breads. (Cheese naan is lovely!). If you're a bit of a glutton, order both rice and naan bread!

Some people like a bowl of Raita (a yoghut-based dip) with their meal but it's entirely optional. (Some Indian restaurants even provide it free of charge).

Indian restaurants don't usually offer a wide range of desserts but their ice cream (Kulfi) is lovely. It's denser and creamier than British ice cream, so have to hack into it with your spoon, but it's one of the best bits about visiting an Indian restaurant.

Don't bother ordering any type of wine to go with your meal. The flavours of Indian food are far too strong. Either order a lager or a lassi (which is a yoghurt-based drink).

[Mamyalynne]

I've been salivating all night reading this thread - I suggested sides/nibbles as JJ has some tummy issues and these day a few of those would also fill me up. Years back I could demolish huge portions.

If you are an onion lover then Dopiaza is one to try, my all time favourite.

[Jackdaw33]

Although I haven't had one for a while I used to like a lamb Madras from the takeaway. I made my own dip of cucumber, tomato and plain yoghurt with a dash of lemon juice. All accompanied by a poppadom which I used to buy separately from the supermarket as they were much cheaper.

[birdie1971]

Jennyjoan - “... friend will be booking an Indian meal. I have never had one...”

I wish I could be you, having never had an Indian meal. Wow.

Have you ever read a great book that was so stupendously incredible that you wish you could un-read it and then read it again, having no knowledge of your previous read? A memory wipe essentially?

That's how I feel about certain Indian dishes. They are monumentally delicious. They kick the Sunday roast (which I absolutely love by the way) into a cocked hat. There is no better taste sensation than a correctly done Indian curry.

That is my opinion. Other opinions are available.

[anneasquith]

That would have been funny jordy :-)

[Jackdaw33]

Ring of Fire would be very appropriate. The most painful bit is when the seeds (cardamom or caraway, not sure which) pass undigested through the alimentary canal and emerge at the other end.

[Eve]

Do you know where you are going for the meal Jenny? If it's somewhere with an online menu then you could check that out in advance and ask about anything you aren't sure of on here. If you give some suggestions about your favourite kinds of food, whether you like hot and spicy foods or not, any dislikes etc... it might give us some more ideas for dishes to suggest to you.

I love lamb chops as a starter, quite light too before a main meal. I love biryanis, like Chris suggested but like all sorts. I live very near the Curry Mile in Manchester so spoilt for choice around here!

[Canary42]

Buenchico's post is full of good advice JJ. You could also try a Pasanda (usually available in lamb and chicken options) which is a mild creamy curry.

The Raita is also a good suggestion IMO for a side dish as the yoghurt can extinguish some heat.

Kulfi is indeed very tasty, but some Indian restaurants in my experience serve it in a somewhat questionable shape !