Myths About Indian Food

Whether you are new to Indian food or you are a long time lover of the cuisine, you certainly can't deny the dishes are delicious. Yet, for many people from Western cultures, there are a lot of mysteries about Indian food. Indeed, there are also many myths. From the complexity of preparation to the healthiness of Indian meals, misconceptions about this cuisine abound. Here are some of the top myths about Indian food debunked.

Indian Food is Best Left to Expert Chefs

Because of its rich, complex flavours, Indian food seems like it would be incredibly difficult to cook, or at least difficult to cook well. While a beginner cook might face a few challenges when attempting to conquer Indian cuisine, this is probably true of most major cuisines in the world. For example, some Italian dishes take hours to prepare properly, but we don't normally hear people lamenting how difficult it is to make an Italian meal. So, if you are interested in whipping up some Indian delights, start by familiarizing yourself with the ingredients and the basic cooking techniques, and you'll find this food as easy (or complicated) as any other type of food to prepare.

Indian Food is Unhealthy

Some Indian dishes have a fair amount of oil, but like with other dishes you can adapt your recipes to your tastes. Moreover, rich, oily foods are not the only options available on an Indian menu; in fact, Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse. Depending on the region of Indian, you will find that the style of cooking and ingredients used will vary significantly. Many dishes are prepared by boiling, steaming, roasting, or grilling which are all considered healthy means of preparation. So, when it comes to whether Indian cuisine is healthy or not it really depends on what you are eating. Certainly, there are dishes that you do not want to eat for every meal, but there are many interesting, delicious, and healthy Indian foods that you can add to your diet guilt-free.

Indian Food is Too Spicy

Again, Indian dishes are very diverse, so while some dishes are very hot this does not mean that all Indian food is spicy. Plus, if you are cooking at home, you can adjust the spice level to your personal taste; if you prefer, you can leave the spicy ingredients out entirely.

All Indian Dishes Contain Curry

Finally, many foodies who are not familiar with Indian cuisine often believe that curries are synonymous with the cuisine. While curries are an important feature of Indian dishes, they account for a very small fraction of the styles of food available in India. Moreover, curry powder is actually not a common ingredient in Indian dishes, instead, many homes create their own unique spice blends that appeal to their individual palates.

Author : Alex Pupkin