Curry: It's What's For Dinner

Tomato curry.

Aloo (potato) curry.

Gobi (cauliflower) curry.

Cabbage (I don't know what that is in Hindi) curry.

Mixed Veg curry.

 

It all contains chili powder, onions, green chilies, curry leaves, ginger garlic paste, salt, masala (spice mixture). And it ALL TASTES THE SAME.

 

I've been eating it every day for the past 20 months and I think I've reached my breaking point.

 

Whether we are eating at home or eating in a restaurant, it's all the same. Five star hotel or road side dhaba, it's all the same.The same combination of spices in every dish virtually ensures every dish will taste the same. I'm to the point where it doesn't matter what my cook prepares, or what I order while out, I know exactly what to expect. The only decision is: Rice or Roti? And really, is that a decision? To either eat steamed, flavorless rice or dry, flavorless chapati (flat bread). Either way, it's just a vessel to push the same ole curry down your gullet.

 

I miss the variety of food options in the US. Instead of saying "Do you want potato curry or tomato curry?" it was "Do you want Italian or Mexican?" Options are available on every end of the spectrum. If you're not sure what to prepare for dinner, having a simple pound of chicken breast provides so many options. Do you make stir fry? Do you stuff it with spinach and cheese? Do you bake it with honey and garlic? Do you deep fry it? The possibilities are endless. What do you do with the same chicken in India? You throw it in the pressure cooker with chili powder, onions, green chilies, curry leaves, ginger garlic paste, salt, and masala. Then you make the tough decision. Rice or Roti? And you shovel it in. And it tastes like every else you ate that week. And everything else you'll eat next week. And the week after.

 

It really brings to light the expression: "Living to Eat? or Eating to Live?" If you put an Indian dish in front of me these days, I'll eat only enough to keep my stomach quiet for a few hours, until I get to do it all over again. Rinse and Repeat.

 

Please don't misunderstand. I am exponentially thankful for ability to sit down to a hot meal whenever I choose, especially when I see so many people daily that do not have that luxury. But man, I'm maxed out on curry.