Introducing Indian food to boyfriend

by Obnoxious Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:51 pm

I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:01 pm

Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?

Start by introducing him to "dry" snacks and foods. let him get used to them and he will want to try new items slowly on his own.

by ashdoc Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:05 pm

introduce him to tangdi kabab and tandoori chicken . make a man out of him . dont introduce him to the vegetarian food that indians usually eat for it will make him weak and effeminate like hindus and jains .

by Vakavaka Pakapaka Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:06 pm

May be, introduce him to "avial" first and gradually graduate him to Rajasthani chilli paneer and Guntur korivikhaaram.

by Obnoxious Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:26 pm

ashdoc wrote:introduce him to tangdi kabab and tandoori chicken . make a man out of him . dont introduce him to the vegetarian food that indians usually eat for it will make him weak and effeminate like hindus and jains .

He like me is a vegetarian.

by michelle2 Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:29 pm

Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?

make food that has the usual mix of spices in it, except for: the red chili powder, the dried, whole, red chili, and any other form of red chili; reduce the amount of red chili to 20% - even 10% - of the usual. you can continue to use the regular amount of green chilies, but completely remove their seeds; it's the seeds that make green chilies taste hot. removing them will render them harmless to pale men, but still flavourful.

furthermore, do not leave whole spices, e.g. cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon sticks, in the food. remove them after the dish is made. pale skin somehow obliges westerners to bite into large pieces of whole spice; they just can't learn to leave them alone.

even you may like food that's less hot, but still indian, spicy, and full of flavours.

by seven Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:53 pm

michelle2 wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?
make food that has the usual mix of spices in it, except for: the red chili powder, the dried, whole, red chili, and any other form of red chili; reduce the amount of red chili to 20% - even 10% - of the usual. you can continue to use the regular amount of green chilies, but completely remove their seeds; it's the seeds that make green chilies taste hot. removing them will render them harmless to pale men, but still flavourful.

furthermore, do not leave whole spices, e.g. cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon sticks, in the food. remove them after the dish is made. pale skin somehow obliges westerners to bite into large pieces of whole spice; they just can't learn to leave them alone.

even you may like food that's less hot, but still indian, spicy, and full of flavours.

Michelle - are you allergic to a lot of things like rice, wheat, grass, pollens, dairy n such?
Just curious.

by seven Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:57 pm

Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?

It really depends on where he is today. If he likes sweets more, start there. If he likes spicy food, start with sth mild n see how far he can go depending on his response ofcoz.

Happy cooking!

by michelle2 Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:58 pm

seven wrote:
michelle2 wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?
make food that has the usual mix of spices in it, except for: the red chili powder, the dried, whole, red chili, and any other form of red chili; reduce the amount of red chili to 20% - even 10% - of the usual. you can continue to use the regular amount of green chilies, but completely remove their seeds; it's the seeds that make green chilies taste hot. removing them will render them harmless to pale men, but still flavourful.

furthermore, do not leave whole spices, e.g. cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon sticks, in the food. remove them after the dish is made. pale skin somehow obliges westerners to bite into large pieces of whole spice; they just can't learn to leave them alone.

even you may like food that's less hot, but still indian, spicy, and full of flavours.

Michelle - are you allergic to a lot of things like rice, wheat, grass, pollens, dairy n such?
Just curious.

as far as i know, i am allergic only to milk, cream, and foods containing them. i am not allergic to yoghurt or cheese.

by seven Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:09 pm

Ok cool. Thanks for sharing.

I know a guy who is allergic to everything. Most things. And he hates cloves bay leafs n other whole spices left as is.
I think it's because he's allergic to so many things, he's easily irritable.

by michelle2 Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:24 pm

seven wrote:Ok cool. Thanks for sharing.

I know a guy who is allergic to everything. Most things. And he hates cloves bay leafs n other whole spices left as is.
I think it's because he's allergic to so many things, he's easily irritable.

i said what i did about spices that are left in their whole form in indian food because westerners just don't know that they're not intended to be bitten into, and that if one unintentionally does, they don't bite back or kill. they are the cause of considerable puzzlement and pain to westerners.

by indophile Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:26 pm

Depends on how ignorant & adventurous he is. I have seen some Americans at Indian restaurant buffets serving themselves oodles of achars and hot chutneys and other hot condiments thinking those are like other curries -- and relishing them too.

by Guest Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:28 pm

Puris. You can't go wrong with them. Make them for him. He'll love them for sure.

Dosas and vadas should be a hit too.

And then try lemon rice, tamarind rice, potato fry, tindora fry...

by indophile Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:32 pm

and mirapakaya-bajji (hari-mirchi pakora). Smile

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:48 pm

michelle2 wrote:
as far as i know, i am allergic only to milk, cream, and foods containing them. i am not allergic to yoghurt or cheese.

Lactose intolerance...ye? So you eat a couple of spoons of "natural" yogurt before eating ice cream. Try 'Organic milk' you may be fine.

P.S. I realize you are a woman and I will glad to help you as well with any OBGYN issues you might have.

by seven Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:51 pm

michelle2 wrote:
seven wrote:Ok cool. Thanks for sharing.

I know a guy who is allergic to everything. Most things. And he hates cloves bay leafs n other whole spices left as is.
I think it's because he's allergic to so many things, he's easily irritable.
i said what i did about spices that are left in their whole form in indian food because westerners just don't know that they're not intended to be bitten into, and that if one unintentionally does, they don't bite back or kill. they are the cause of considerable puzzlement and pain to westerners.

Very good thinking there. I'll keep this in mind too when cooking for my non-Indian friends.

by nevada Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:36 pm

Show him sailuskitchen or manjulaskitchen and ask him if anything there interests him.

by michelle2 Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:39 pm

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:
michelle2 wrote:
as far as i know, i am allergic only to milk, cream, and foods containing them. i am not allergic to yoghurt or cheese.

Lactose intolerance...ye? So you eat a couple of spoons of "natural" yogurt before eating ice cream.

really? i shall try that. thanks.

by MaxEntropy_Man Fri Apr 04, 2014 4:29 pm

for starters stay away from super spicy andhra food. i am sure he has had the usual cream and tomato sauce rich northindian stuff and the usual tandoori this and panneer that which is dished out at indian restaurants. so stay from all that.

put him on a diet of milder but very flavorful tamilian, keralite, and maharashtrian cuisine expecially the last one. try out some matki chi usal, varan, aamti and things like that. also try some kosumalli (http://www.jeyashriskitchen.com/2012/03/kosumalli-carrot-and-cucumber-salad.html).

i think vegetarian maharashtrian cuisine is my favorite indian food. a pity that it's unheard of in commercial establishments.

by pravalika nanda Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:40 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:for starters stay away from super spicy andhra food. i am sure he has had the usual cream and tomato sauce rich northindian stuff and the usual tandoori this and panneer that which is dished out at indian restaurants. so stay from all that.

put him on a diet of milder but very flavorful tamilian, keralite, and maharashtrian cuisine expecially the last one. try out some matki chi usal, varan, aamti and things like that. also try some kosumalli (http://www.jeyashriskitchen.com/2012/03/kosumalli-carrot-and-cucumber-salad.html).

i think vegetarian maharashtrian cuisine is my favorite indian food. a pity that it's unheard of in commercial establishments.

andhra food (costal andhra) is not at all spicy.

what's so great about marathi food? i've never had it. and i don't think i will.

by pravalika nanda Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:52 pm

Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?

i'm so thrilled you're dating! i hope he's good-looking and fit and has a good credit score. i learned this recently: even though we live in the modern world and you might feel like you gotta go 50-50 cuz it's the decent thing to do, the guy apparently has to pay for the entire meal. at a subliminal level it gives him the sense of investment, otherwise he's going to think you're too dominant and carefree. point is don't let him leach you off your time money and youth.

oh about the food, i think the best way to introduce him to indina food is by making an indian omlette: take finely chopped red onion and those tiny green chilis and tomatoes and mix in some curry powder and salt and egg whites. i have it with steamed broccoli on the side. i've never actually cooked though. it's best to buy complete onions and chop them yourself for freshness. and when you chop you should do so next to a flame to take care of the sulfur fumes from the onions so they don't make you cry.

by bw Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:56 pm

Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?

what dishes are you making now? not indian?

pulav, dal perhaps? if he enjoys thai cuisine, try some coconut based gravy dishes.

by pravalika nanda Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:59 pm

tomato pappu with neyya is good too.

by MaxEntropy_Man Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:05 pm

pravalika nanda wrote:
what's so great about marathi food?

it is mild from the standpoint of fiery spiciness, but very flavorful, not dripping in oil and/or butter, it is comforting, and nutritious.

pravalika nanda wrote:
i've never had it. and i don't think i will.

why not?

by seven Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:14 pm

Max,

Have you eaten Kohlapuri food?

by seven Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:16 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:for starters stay away from super spicy andhra food. i am sure he has had the usual cream and tomato sauce rich northindian stuff and the usual tandoori this and panneer that which is dished out at indian restaurants. so stay from all that.

put him on a diet of milder but very flavorful tamilian, keralite, and maharashtrian cuisine expecially the last one. try out some matki chi usal, varan, aamti and things like that. also try some kosumalli (http://www.jeyashriskitchen.com/2012/03/kosumalli-carrot-and-cucumber-salad.html).

i think vegetarian maharashtrian cuisine is my favorite indian food. a pity that it's unheard of in commercial establishments.

Have you ever had authentic north indian food ? Or the only exposure you've had to paneer and tandoori is what they dish out at indian restaurants (in US i assume?)?

by swapna Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:03 pm

pravalika nanda wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?
i'm so thrilled you're dating! i hope he's good-looking and fit and has a good credit score. i learned this recently: even though we live in the modern world and you might feel like you gotta go 50-50 cuz it's the decent thing to do, the guy apparently has to pay for the entire meal. at a subliminal level it gives him the sense of investment, otherwise he's going to think you're too dominant and carefree. point is don't let him leach you off your time money and youth.

oh about the food, i think the best way to introduce him to indina food is by making an indian omlette: take finely chopped red onion and those tiny green chilis and tomatoes and mix in some curry powder and salt and egg whites. i have it with steamed broccoli on the side. i've never actually cooked though. it's best to buy complete onions and chop them yourself for freshness. and when you chop you should do so next to a flame to take care of the sulfur fumes from the onions so they don't make you cry.

Obnoxious, I hope you'll reject most of nanda's advice. A relationship with another person is not a war of the sexes. Don't eat at any restaurant that you can't afford if you were by yourself. Pay what gives you pleasure to pay. Don't put spices in an omelette.

by Kris Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:10 pm

Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?

>>>Stock your fridge up with Fosters -"its Australian for beer, mate!" Smile

Feed him anything with it..
Seriously, cut down the spices in half and work up from these to find his comfort level. Cut out the oily dishes. I don't blame him on the curd rice.

by bw Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:14 pm

Kris wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?

>>>Stock your fridge up with Fosters -"its Australian for beer, mate!" Feed him anything with it..
Seriously, cut down the spices in half and work up from these to find his comfort level. Cut out the oily dishes. I don't blame him on the curd rice.

oh, aussie guy? serve curd rice with a dollop of vegemite.

by Kris Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:15 pm

bw wrote:
Kris wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?

>>>Stock your fridge up with Fosters -"its Australian for beer, mate!" Feed him anything with it..
Seriously, cut down the spices in half and work up from these to find his comfort level. Cut out the oily dishes. I don't blame him on the curd rice.

oh, aussie guy? serve curd rice with a dollop of vegemite.

>>>How's that for a double whammy? ewww...

by Obnoxious Mon Apr 07, 2014 1:12 am

Thanks for your replies! I've made quinoa upma, & dal a couple of times. Made cabbage & okra. I mostly cook East Godavari brahmin food, which is mild. I will keep you posted how it goes.

by truthbetold Mon Apr 07, 2014 11:02 am

Obnoxious wrote:Thanks for your replies! I've made quinoa upma, & dal a couple of times. Made cabbage & okra. I mostly cook East Godavari brahmin food, which is mild. I will keep you posted how it goes.

+1.
trust your instincts. pace yourself.

by Vakavaka Pakapaka Mon Apr 07, 2014 11:15 am

truthbetold wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:Thanks for your replies! I've made quinoa upma, & dal a couple of times. Made cabbage & okra. I mostly cook East Godavari brahmin food, which is mild. I will keep you posted how it goes.
+1.
trust your instincts. pace yourself.

Make nuvvula podi and ask him to eat it with E V olive oil and rice. Or, make some pulusu with bellam so that he can mix the podi with it. One or two pesara pappu appadaalu won't hurt either. Pulusu can be eaten like a soup without rice.

by Impedimenta Mon Apr 07, 2014 12:25 pm

Vakavaka Pakapaka wrote:
truthbetold wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:Thanks for your replies! I've made quinoa upma, & dal a couple of times. Made cabbage & okra. I mostly cook East Godavari brahmin food, which is mild. I will keep you posted how it goes.
+1.
trust your instincts. pace yourself.
Make nuvvula podi and ask him to eat it with E V olive oil and rice. Or, make some pulusu with bellam so that he can mix the podi with it. One or two pesara pappu appadaalu won't hurt either. Pulusu can be eaten like a soup without rice.

navvula podi = sesame something podi? ya, I can Google as well. bellam = vellam as in jaggery? no?

by Impedimenta Mon Apr 07, 2014 12:28 pm

curious, what is he cooking for you? Very Happy

by Impedimenta Mon Apr 07, 2014 12:30 pm

pravalika nanda wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?
i'm so thrilled you're dating! i hope he's good-looking and fit and has a good credit score. i learned this recently: even though we live in the modern world and you might feel like you gotta go 50-50 cuz it's the decent thing to do, the guy apparently has to pay for the entire meal. at a subliminal level it gives him the sense of investment, otherwise he's going to think you're too dominant and carefree. point is don't let him leach you off your time money and youth.

oh about the food, i think the best way to introduce him to indina food is by making an indian omlette: take finely chopped red onion and those tiny green chilis and tomatoes and mix in some curry powder and salt and egg whites. i have it with steamed broccoli on the side. i've never actually cooked though. it's best to buy complete onions and chop them yourself for freshness. and when you chop you should do so next to a flame to take care of the sulfur fumes from the onions so they don't make you cry.

Generally LOL inducing first para reply. But the underlined is some sound advice.

by nevada Mon Apr 07, 2014 1:23 pm

Impedimenta wrote:
Vakavaka Pakapaka wrote:
truthbetold wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:Thanks for your replies! I've made quinoa upma, & dal a couple of times. Made cabbage & okra. I mostly cook East Godavari brahmin food, which is mild. I will keep you posted how it goes.
+1.
trust your instincts. pace yourself.
Make nuvvula podi and ask him to eat it with E V olive oil and rice. Or, make some pulusu with bellam so that he can mix the podi with it. One or two pesara pappu appadaalu won't hurt either. Pulusu can be eaten like a soup without rice.

navvula podi = sesame something podi? ya, I can Google as well. bellam = vellam as in jaggery? no?

Yes and yes.

by indophile Mon Apr 07, 2014 1:56 pm

Vakavaka Pakapaka wrote:
truthbetold wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:Thanks for your replies! I've made quinoa upma, & dal a couple of times. Made cabbage & okra. I mostly cook East Godavari brahmin food, which is mild. I will keep you posted how it goes.
+1.
trust your instincts. pace yourself.
Make nuvvula podi and ask him to eat it with E V olive oil and rice. Or, make some pulusu with bellam so that he can mix the podi with it. One or two pesara pappu appadaalu won't hurt either. Pulusu can be eaten like a soup without rice.

But nuvvula podi (sesame powder) is ashubham kada? inko maata cheppandi.

by Vakavaka Pakapaka Mon Apr 07, 2014 2:21 pm

Impedimenta wrote:
Vakavaka Pakapaka wrote:
truthbetold wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:Thanks for your replies! I've made quinoa upma, & dal a couple of times. Made cabbage & okra. I mostly cook East Godavari brahmin food, which is mild. I will keep you posted how it goes.
+1.
trust your instincts. pace yourself.
Make nuvvula podi and ask him to eat it with E V olive oil and rice. Or, make some pulusu with bellam so that he can mix the podi with it. One or two pesara pappu appadaalu won't hurt either. Pulusu can be eaten like a soup without rice.

navvula podi = sesame something podi? ya, I can Google as well. bellam = vellam as in jaggery? no?

Yeah! Obviously, bellam comes from vellam!

Whatever you do, don't ask a young boy for bellam! LOL.

by Vakavaka Pakapaka Mon Apr 07, 2014 2:23 pm

indophile wrote:
Vakavaka Pakapaka wrote:
truthbetold wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:Thanks for your replies! I've made quinoa upma, & dal a couple of times. Made cabbage & okra. I mostly cook East Godavari brahmin food, which is mild. I will keep you posted how it goes.
+1.
trust your instincts. pace yourself.
Make nuvvula podi and ask him to eat it with E V olive oil and rice. Or, make some pulusu with bellam so that he can mix the podi with it. One or two pesara pappu appadaalu won't hurt either. Pulusu can be eaten like a soup without rice.
But nuvvula podi (sesame powder) is ashubham kada? inko maata cheppandi.

Tella nuvvula podi ki nishiddham untE, Toorpuvaallu upavaasam untaaru.

by Impedimenta Mon Apr 07, 2014 3:09 pm

Vakavaka Pakapaka wrote:
Impedimenta wrote:
Vakavaka Pakapaka wrote:
truthbetold wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:Thanks for your replies! I've made quinoa upma, & dal a couple of times. Made cabbage & okra. I mostly cook East Godavari brahmin food, which is mild. I will keep you posted how it goes.
+1.
trust your instincts. pace yourself.
Make nuvvula podi and ask him to eat it with E V olive oil and rice. Or, make some pulusu with bellam so that he can mix the podi with it. One or two pesara pappu appadaalu won't hurt either. Pulusu can be eaten like a soup without rice.

navvula podi = sesame something podi? ya, I can Google as well. bellam = vellam as in jaggery? no?
Yeah! Obviously, bellam comes from vellam!

Whatever you do, don't ask a young boy for bellam! LOL.

err? Curiouser and curiouser!

by Seva Lamberdar Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:10 pm

Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?

Don't give him the idea about "good" Indian food, otherwise he might want it all the time in future and even criticize your cooking whenever he doesn't like the preparation. In this case, his ignorance is your bliss.

by bw Mon Apr 07, 2014 6:33 pm

Seva Lamberdar wrote:
Obnoxious wrote:I am dating this guy who is English Aussie (No food culture). This guy doesnt know samosa from a pakoda. He seems to like whatever I make except for curd rice. Any tips about how I can introduce him make him like Indian food (not the restaurant garbage but real food)?
Don't give him the idea about "good" Indian food, otherwise he might want it all the time in future and even criticize your cooking whenever he doesn't like the preparation. In this case, his ignorance is your bliss.

brilliant advice, seva!

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