To most people, what comes first to mind when they think about India is its amazing variety in terms of culture, religion and food. Food is something that is integral to India. It is almost as if it is the basis of its culture. Each state in the country has its own cuisine. In fact, each household makes a particular dish differently, according to the unique palate of its members. Indian people are famous for their hospitality. Going to any Indian household means that you will be treated with specialties of that family. If you are trying to understand Indian cuisine but don't know where to start, read on.
1. Indian cuisine is the basis of its very culture.
Indians are very serious about their food. Mothers pass on their recipes to daughters and daughters-in-law. Foods are almost always prepared from scratch and shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables is a daily routine most men of the household take very seriously. Indian 'bazaars' are filled with men and women with shopping bags early in the morning, getting their fill of fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits for the day. People love to get together for meals. If not for every meal, families get together for at least one meal every day. If someone visits a household, it is almost certain that he will be invited to stay for the upcoming meal. Indians love sharing, discussing and dreaming about food!
2. India is vegetarian (or not)
If you are just starting out to familiarize yourself with Indian cuisine, you may be of the notion that the whole of the country is vegetarian. But that is a false perception. True, a considerable percentage of the Indian public is vegetarian, but definitely not all of them. In fact, Indian cuisine is rich in non-vegetarian foods. The people of this country may not eat particular kinds of meats or vegetables depending on their religion. For instance, some Hindus will not touch beef and most Muslims stay away from pork. Some Jains will not only stay away from all kinds of meats, but also from garlic, ginger and onions. However, Indians have a huge range of wonderfully aromatic and flavorsome non-vegetarian dishes. Their 'Biriyani', chicken curries, seafood and fish specialties are truly a treat to the senses.
3. Indian food is an amalgamation of its rich history
The Indian people have always taken in the food and culture of the people who have become a part of their history. As such, Indian food has taken in British, Persian, Aryan, Portuguese and Mughal influences quite liberally. Such a variety of influences has just made its cuisine all the more special.
As you can well see, understanding Indian cuisine will mean that you get yourself acquainted with Indian culture and vice versa. If you want to cook Indian food, the task may at first seem daunting. But trust us when we say that it is not! Once you get the basics straight, cooking simple Indian meals is just a matter of practice. Have fun!
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