fancy foods

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in india all foods are fancy foods. some look better than they taste, more often it is the other way around. one thing is sure, it will be hard to leave these wonderful foods behind, the fun of street snacks, the ritual of the thali. not to mention the addiction to the spicey and sweet chai. perhaps we will extend our trip just another month or two...

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Photos

huge pan of beans, shimla
served atop your samosas or other deep-fried fritter, the common and yet unbeatable chick peas in curried sauce.

bread pakora, shimla
why the bread pakora, the unanswered question in indian street snacks. white bread triangles deep fried, often served with tasteless ketchup. why so popular with all the spicey greasiness available?

master chefs
they know the food is dirty and good, hence the self-assured grins of those completely at one with their surroundings, enjoying the pleasures of the day.

rice pudding
sweet rice puddings are richly delicious in india, often full of pistachio, almond and other lovely nuts. here, served with a yellow noodle base, unexpectedly pleasurable.

pickles and chutnies
i have never seen such abundance and innovation in the sphere of pickles. large shops completely devoted to the sale of them, made fresh and sold in bulk! endless varieties, it is a true representation of an earthly paradise.

tea shop interior
sitting inside tea shops, peering out at the mayhem of the streets, haridwar. everything seems to be as it must.

dosa and plastic flowers
at times, a modernist plastic flower is the perfect compliment to a delicious dosa, in photography as well as culinary art.

Thalis all round, Rishikesh
only a fool refuses a thali, especially one so well-composed.

samosa, a dramatic study
the best accompaniment to the "continental sauce" is a tasty samosa, especially one with fresh green peas as well as the standard potato curry mix. the just-potato ones can disappoint.

chick pea and chapati street eat
what a great street meal for only a dime. high-protein curry mixed with fresh onion, green chilies and lime juice served in a bio-degradable banana leaf bowl with fresh tandoori chapati. the genius of it baffles the mind.

sweet lime juice
sweet limes are basically oranges, very tangy ones that make you perk up. the hand-cranked street juices are addictive as a morning, noon or evening shot of delicious vitamins.

idli, a south indian treat
pounded, slightly fermented rice cakes, soft and light in texture. dipped into tart and spicey sambar and creamy coconut sauce. this is an excellent breakfast especially in hot weather.

scott purchases a sugary bite
making sure he gets a good price for sugar-coated fennel seeds, what one tourist described as like eating "grandma's neck."

party-shirt cafe, varanasi
we'll eat anywhere the staff consistently wears good party shirts, especially if it is the same shirt day after day.

potato balls for sale
much more than just a bland potato ball, these little lumps can be found all over the sub-continent. often mixed with garbanzos, many spices and various other veggies, served with spoonful of curry sauce in a bowl. excellent street meal!

dosa and uttapam, side by side
in varanasi we found the most excellent south indian eateries. it was perfect, dosa for breakfast, uttapam for lunch, idli for snacks, more dosas for dinner. it went on and on like this.

parantha
it comes in wildly varied shapes and sizes, with endless different stuffings. parantha is the perfect breakfast, good with curd. the most basic is potato stuffed parantha, dip it and enjoy.

Comments

[Olivia]

YUM!
You're making me jealous of all this tasty food even though I'm here! I'm about to jump of the computer and start eating my way through Tamil Nadu :-)