Category Archives: Indian food

Icy or Spicy? Cooling Foods Across Cultures

Although the Bay Area doesn’t suffer the swoon-inducing heat and humidity of Japan, Peru, India or the Philippines, we can still enjoy their edible solutions for cooling relief. Some like it icy cold with mounds of shaved ice doused with syrups, while others turn to peppers and spice to induce a natural cooling response. Continue reading

Posted in Chinese food, Filipino food, Indian food, Japan, Japanese food, Korean food, Peruvian food, Singapore | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dinner with The Spice Whisperer

Vinita Jacinto told us to close our eyes and taste the sun, moon, stars and earth in the food she had lovingly prepared: saffron-kissed basmati rice and creamy lentils flavored with cumin and turmeric, topped with a dollop of pureed … Continue reading

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Café Raj Creates Community and Great Food

The secret of the Indian and Pakistani fare at Albany’s beloved Cafe Raj traces back to the 10 years chef/owner Raj Raja spent in France. Continue reading

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Eat with Your Hands for a Sensuous, Intimate, Mindful Meal

Eating with the hands is more than just a way to maneuver food to the mouth. It embodies cultural values including, a sensuous connection to the food, the feeling of sharing and community, practicality avoiding waste, even prolonging a delicious meal by enjoying the lingering aroma of it on the fingers. Many cultures, such as Indian, Arab and African have dined this way for thousands of years. In a video-clip, the writer receives a hands-on lesson in eating with the hands — Moroccan style.
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Posted in Ethiopian food, Indian food, Morocco, Politeness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ten Places to Master Piroshkis, Paella or Pad Thai: Ethnic Cooking Classes Around the Bay Area

As I walked up the stairs to Kitchen on Fire’s spacious Berkeley loft, an inviting aroma of toasting cumin laid out an olfactory welcome mat. Chefs Olivier Said and MikeC., co-owners and culinary over-achievers, have a book coming out and … Continue reading

Posted in Ethiopian food, Indian food, Italy, Malaysian food, Morocco, Spain, Thai food, vegetarian food, Vietnamese food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment