Introduction to Indian Food and Culture
India is a huge nation (over a million square miles) with wonderful variations in climate, geography, religion, and customs which have actually caused lots of regional variations in food preparation and cooking. Indian food reflects the colorful and diverse life led by its people. The temperate climate in the north means that lamb can be reared whereas in the humid tropical conditions of the southwest coconuts and bananas flourish.
Society
Around 70% of Indians work in farming and more than 50% are vegan: this is because many are too poor to buy meat and also because religion has a very solid influence on the Indian diet plan. There are numerous different religions, many with their own customs and taboos. As an example, Hindus and Sikhs are prohibited from consuming beef. Alcohol is also taboo.
Traditional foodstuffs
Fish is easily available in the east around the Bay of Bengal and coconuts grow here in the hot and damp climate. Pulses and vegetables are grown in the west where the people are mainly vegan. Bread is chosen in the north where wheat is grown, and cattle and lamb are raised, making lamb a preferred choice. Ghee (clarified butter) is also used here. Regional market stalls offer a wide range of fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and spices in towns or villages.
Cooking traditions
Good food relies on quality as well as skill and Indians much prefer to eat at the house where they are assured of quality. Indian food preparation is one of the most aromatic kinds of cooking because of the use of spices: masalas or spice combinations are the essence of Indian cuisine. Spices are traditionally ground by hand and mixed according to old family recipes. Spicy foods do not need to be hot, it is the use of chilies that make the food hot.
Is curry really Indian?
The word ‘Curry’ typically describes a recipe prepared with spices originating from India. Nevertheless, the word has no real meaning in authentic South Asian cuisine and can be classified as a term historically introduced by the British. The word curry means a sauce, whereas madras means hot. Hot and spicy foods are served in hot, humid climates to encourage perspiration which helps to decrease body temperature.
The perception of Indian food has undergone a sea change in the past few years, with an increasing number of chefs embracing the finer nuances of Indian cooking and consciously moving far from the banality of chicken in orange gravy. Woodland Hills — Shalimar’s restaurants, celebrate Indian food, cooking and society in the way Indian homes do-simple, healthy, and made with a lot of love.
