Indian restaurants in the U.S. have given Indian food a bad reputation. Their recipes have been adapted to please the American palate for high levels of salt, sugar, oil and cream. I know it tastes delicious but unfortunately, all of the “bad” ingredients and poor portion control cause one’s waistline to expand. (I know this firsthand.) At home Indians do not cook or eat food similar to what is served in restaurants.

 

Here are my guidelines that I follow when eating at Indian restaurants:

 

Smart picks:

tandoori chicken which is marinated in plain yogurt then baked and served without curry (sauce)

grilled dishes

vegetarian dishes with or without curries made from vegetables

whole grain breads

 

Items I avoid:

deep fried samosas and bhajia

cream based dishes like Malai Kofta, Chicken Tikka Masala

dishes with paneer (homemade cheese which is full of fat)

oily, fried breads like pooris and parathas

limit the amount of meat

avoid the buffet or ensure you make only one trip through the line

alcohol and soda (most Indians drink water with their meals)

rice and bread

Visit KachisKitchen.com for Indian recipes and cooking tips.