India ~ An Undiscovered Culinary Gold Mine
We’re back! I thought we would head somewhere hot and spicy to finish the summer out and India fit the bill! Now, if you are anything like me, I don’t know a whole lot about the country of India. It’s always felt exotic, foreign and very culturally different to me. I think of bright colors, spices and a thriving, bustling country when I hear the word “India”.
India is considered its own subcontinent and its geography is extremely diverse with a desert, the Himalayan mountains and long stretches of coastline. A subtropical country, it has rainy seasons and constant humid weather. With well over 1 billion people currently, it has a rich history and incredible heritage.
Not the least, of course, is its culinary heritage 🙂
India has had a constant flow of people through its borders throughout its history. From the Romans and Muslims to the Portuguese and British, India has a long history of being conquered and ruled. And with several of its own dynasties, it has had its share of ruling itself too. Why did such a big country draw so much attention from the whole world it seems? The simple answer would be spices. India’s climate is perfect for growing all sorts of herbs, spices and teas and that drew the attention of adventurers, explorers and sailors.
Because India is such a large country, it’s hard to classify Indian cuisine into any one category. Each region of India has its own special way of cooking and using the agriculture bounty that it grows. And because the geography of India is so diverse, it makes the local cuisines even more interesting!
Indians enjoy many types of grains including millet, barley, rice, whole-wheat flour, lentils and beans. These grains are often made into the main dish or served on the side like naan bread. Indians don’t eat a lot of meat but chicken, seafood and mutton are the most popular. Of course, these dishes are heavily spiced and often use a fat source like ghee (clarified butter that lasts longer in the humid enviroment), coconut oil or mustard oil. Because of the hot climate, dairy products are either consumed right away or made into cheese.
India has an incredible range of fresh produce too. Everything from mangos to figs to pomegranates grow easily in India. Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, tapioca, potatoes and yams are popular. And other vegetables like onions, garlic, chili peppers, tomatoes, spinach, eggplant and squashes and gourds are enjoyed as well.
