Is Indian Food Exotic Dining?

India’s ancient cultures have left an indelible stamp on civilization but perhaps no single element has actually affected day-to-day life in the United States quite as much as Indian Food. In cities and towns all around the US, Indian food restaurants have emerged and been eagerly embraced by American consumers with a progressively advanced taste for the exotic and new.

A growing number of Americans are finding Indian food as something exotic and delicious and more and more people are indulging in their wonderful taste. According to some websites, there are over 40,000 Chinese restaurants across the US and pretty much the same amount of Mexican restaurants while there are only around 5,000 Indian restaurants nationwide, this number keeps increasing. A lot of people think of Indian food as extremely spicy and extravagant dishes. While there are definitely some exotic meals on a typical Indian menu, Indian food is much, much more than simply a plate of extra hot curry.

The reason why most Americans don’t even like to go over the whole menu in an Indian restaurant is because of their names. Most people simply feel intimidated by their complex names because they don’t understand them. The funny thing about this is that Indian food names are actually quite simple! All their dishes are mostly named after their main ingredients or the region where they come from. That is why people get confused, but luckily in Indian food restaurants, they add a description of the dish so you don’t even have to worry about the name.

Since some Hindus do not eat beef, and some others are strict vegetarians, they have actually created an immense variety of meals, some of them are hot and spicy, and others are mild and creamy. What makes Indian food so different from others is the imaginative and expert usage of mixed spices and herbs in the preparation of food. Cooks add their own special active ingredients and safeguard the secrets of their recipes. But all of them utilize different combinations of spices such as cardamom, cloves, and ginger to add aroma to the dish; red peppers, ginger, and mango powder for flavor; paprika, saffron, and turmeric for color. Because of this complex combination of spices, most people consider Indian food as exotic food.

The best Indian chefs grind their own spices, shred their own herbs, and can frequently take hours to prepare the choice of dishes that comprise a traditional Indian meal. For cooks who do not have that much time, there is always an easier procedure. You can find pre-made mixes and sauces that make it possible to prepare a delicious Indian meal in minutes. However, the best Indian food is made from scratch, and luckily for you, that’s the way we make it here in Shalimar. We also do food delivery so you can enjoy our most traditional (or exotic) dishes in the comfort of your home!