Incredible India!

Okay so you’ve tried your breads, pastas, sushi, fish, and cheeses. Still seeking a kick to your taste buds? Well you’re in luck, we’ve reached India. Get ready to barrage your taste buds with flavors and spices that will tickle your senses to new levels. If you’ve been following us along in our journey for exquisite flavors and experience then you should be able to handle this one. Indian food can be described as exotic, adventurous, daring, and spicy. Let us start you off with a brief history breakdown. Hindu beliefs and culture have played an influential role in the evolution of Indian cuisine. However, cuisine across India also evolved as a result of the subcontinent's large-scale cultural interactions with Mongols and Britain making it a unique blend of some various cuisines.  The staples of Indian cuisine are rice, Atta (whole wheat flour), and a variety of pulses, the most important of which are masoor (red lentil), channa (bengal gram), toor (pigeon pea or yellow gram), urad (black gram), and mung (green gram). Some pulses, like channa and mung, are also processed into flour.

Most Indian curries are cooked in vegetable oil. In northern and western India, peanut oil is most popular for cooking, while in eastern India, mustard oil is more commonly used. Coconut oil is used widely along the western coast especially in Kerala; gingelly (sesame) oil is common in the south as well. The most important or frequently used spices in Indian cuisine are chili pepper, black mustard seed, cumin, turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, coriander, and garlic. Popular spice mixes are garam masala, a powder that typically includes five or more dried spices, especially cardamom, cinnamon, and clove. Each region, and sometimes each individual chef, has a distinctive blend of garam masala. Goda masala is a similar sweet spice mix. Sweet dishes are seasoned with cardamom, saffron, nutmeg, and rose petal essences.


Now that you have a broad understanding of what is consisted of in Indian cooking, now is the fun part. Listed below are some of the most favorable dishes you will ever encounter in your life; with the essence of ancient and pungent spices, to euphoric aromas to fill your senses.  To start off butter chicken is popular in countries all over the world. The cuisine is strongly influenced by Persian and Turkic cuisines of Central Asia. Butter chicken is usually served with naan (an oven baked flat bread infused with garlic and herbs), roti, parathas or steamed rice.

 

Next popular dish is Chicken Tikka Masala. A curry dish of roasted chicken chunks served in a rich-tasting red or orange-colored sauce. The sauce is usually creamy, lightly spiced and contains tomatoes. Now don’t be afraid of these spices. Curry has been notorious to ward off peoples senses and motivation to indulge in its mysterious spicy characteristics. Most dishes that are cooked with curry are not cooked with it alone. There will be a handful of other spices and herbs to accompany the dish in its delivery of bold taste. Which in the end will and can weaken the strength of the curry to ease your nasal and taste buds. But if you can overcome this fear I can guarantee you it’s a rush you will crave again.  For a quick reference on eating etiquette, you do not eat with your left hand, as that is considered your washroom hand. 

Next playful but mysterious little dish is Panta Ilish.  A traditional platter of Panta bhat (a lightly fermented rice based dish consumed in Bangladesh and West Bengal) with fried Hilsa slice, supplemented with dried fish, pickles, green chilies and onion.

 In summers, the meals tend to end with fruits such as mangoes, melons and watermelons, custard apples, bananas, papayas and guavas. The beverages in the region include lassi (buttermilk), sugarcane juice, a beer and fine rum which are produced from the cane. There also is the local liquor which is distilled from the flowers of the mahua tree called sulfi and date palm toddy.
We could talk all day about the variety of dishes and combinations of foods, spices, and flavors. This is a solid synopsis on what to expect when challenging your curiosity in to the wonderful world of Indian cuisine. Now that you’ve been blown away, let’s talk about where you can get your watering mouths on these dishes. Across the downtown core in Toronto there is Lahore Tikka House, rated top 10 in Toronto’s guide of fine dining. They are located at 1365 Gerrard Street East. With incredibly clean surroundings and beautiful presented dishes you can’t go wrong here on a date or a mid afternoon stop by. Next is Babur located at 273 Queen Street West. Located in the shopping district of Toronto, stop in after pampering yourself for a cozy environment with excellent service and warm dishes. If you happen to have a late night craving and don’t know where to go when everything is closed, then you’ll go to Kings Palace located uptown at Yonge and Church (which turns in to Davenport as it wraps around). Open until 6am, this is a quick grab or sit down spot. Nothing special but fine aromas filling the room, traditional Indian TV and music lingering in the background to top that experience as you feed your drive.

This is a lot to take in but try little places here and there, pick and nab as you go along. You will discover what you like and what you don’t like but don’t be afraid to try! We only live once on this earth, capitalize on these moments to try what is so far away yet is so close to us in the heart of our city.

आमोद-प्रमोद! (Enjoy!)

Tastes of the French

 With France being the second largest country in Europe and it having such a good climate for farming it is a very self sufficient country when it comes to growing their own fruits, vegetables, grains and meat all year. One of the most important fruits in French cuisine are grapes as they are used for making wines which the majority of French people enjoy to drink while eating their meals. The way French people eat often mean a lot more than one would think. It can identify their French heritage, their region of birth, their social status as well as their health. The presentation of the dishes in France is equally as important as the taste and quality of the food itself.

Three major French holidays include Christmas on December 25^th, New Years Day on January 1^st and Bastille Day on July 14^th. Bastille Day is a day where the French celebrate their liberation from the monarchy. On this holiday there are fireworks, dances and picnics. At a traditional picnic in France cheese is one of the most expected foods to find.

People in France typically eat three meals a day and also serve tea at approximately four p.m each afternoon. For lunches and dinners that are served in France homes, they typically consist of four courses each. These courses include, a salad, a main dish with a meat item, cheese with bread and a dessert. Wine and coffee are also served at meal times.

When attending a restaurant in France, it should be known that it is often much more of a formal occasion than restaurants in the North America. People go out to eat a whole meal, and wine is only served by the half or full carafe. Due to the service fee added to each bill waiters are very rarely tipped. If you are travelling to France, it should also be noted that it is considered incredibly rude to ask to have your leftovers wrapped up for you to take home with you.

If you are eager to try some real French cuisine one of the best French restaurants in Toronto is Batifole which is known for their duck confit and high quality wines. It is located at 744 Gerrard St. E.

Pearls of the Orient

Craving a taste of the orient but don't want to have to travel on the other side of the world to feed your curiosity? Stress no further, here in Toronto holds an abundance of choices to choose from when it comes to Japanese cuisine. From high end catered sit down cooking shows, to cozy traditional settings, to quick sushi bars are scattered across the city. When it comes to sushi its advised that you choose wisely when it comes to quality. Some places can get pricey, some can be priced comfortably, and a bunch can be too good to be true. Your playing with raw uncooked fish for most parts. As the saying goes "you get what you pay for."

To start, there are different forms of Japanese cuisine dishes. You have maki rolls which are rolls with a thing seaweed external layer filled with rice, and finished with a filling. That could vary from vegetables such as avocado, cucumber, or sweet potato. Or you have a choice of spicy salmon, tuna, scallop, soft crab shell, and so on. Presented neatly on a plate with a side of pink or pale ginger and wasabi. Wasabi, known as "Japanese horseradish", its root is used as a condiment and has an extremely strong flavor. Its hotness is more parallel to that of a hot mustard rather than the capsaicin in a chili pepper, producing vapors that stimulate the nasal passages more than the tongue. The intensity fades away faster opposed to a hot sauce that will linger in your mouth.


Traditional eating habits usually start with the pouring of soy sauce in your dipping dish provided, followed by the addition of a pinch of wasabi in the sauce to add a bite. Another item offered on the menu that will dare you to try is sashimi. Raw fish usually served cold for the exception of Unagi, (BBQ eel is served warm with a glazed sauce on top). Popular items by demand include Sake (salmon), Hamachi (yellow tail), butter fish, tuna, unagi, shrimp, Hokkigai (surf clam), poached egg, sea bass and more. Each item offers its own distinct taste offering variety and always keeping you on your toes for the next kick.


Next popular item is nigiri which is sashimi on top of a bed of rice with wasabi wiped under the sashimi, surprising you with a bite.

Lastly are all the fillers and odd end items that fall under your appetizers. Miso soup consisting of a stock called "dashi" which is mixed softened miso paste. A notorious starter usually included in meal combos. Another healthy started you will encounter is "Edimimi" which are pea sprouts tossed in a mixed seasoning served warm. Then you have tempura; these dishes can range from vegetables or shrimp deep fried in a light sweet batter. The traditional concept of Japanese cuisine is that there are many simple yet complex composed options to try with different flavors, looks, presentations, scents, and textures that will keep you curious for the next item.

Can't forget the alcohol! In Japan, there are beers such as Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin-Ichi, and a wine served cold and/or warm called Sake. Also referred as a form of rice wine. However, unlike true wine, in which alcohol is produced by fermenting the sugar naturally present in fruit, sake is made through a brewing process more like that of beer. A must try to add to your Japanese experience.


 

Now the question... where do I go? For a high end classy establishment with an elegant atmosphere comes Ki: Japanese Modern Restaurant located at Wellington and Bay St. in the heart of the financial district in downtown Toronto. Price ranges from $15-35 a dish. yes, its pricey but if you want a pampered experience with great service, clean, fresh dishes then you will pay that extra dollar here. Staged with a lounge area, private booths for couples, lavish chairs at the sushi bar, a heated patio, to private rooms offers an unforgettable experience. More modernized then the traditional expected feel but Ki delivers this experience in way that makes you feel away from home trapped in that moment of time enjoying the ancient recipes of ancient Japan.  

 

Next is Yamato located in the posh area of Toronto, York-ville. A smaller venue with a sophisticated surrounding. You have a choice to eat on the patio, or in another room with 4 U shaped tables with seats surrounding two flat iron grills. Depending on what dish you order, chefs come and display a show cooking your food with tricks and style. Definitely a must for first timers. Price ranges from $10-35 a dish. 

 

For more cozy environments with reasonable priced dishes and the traditional Japanese layout such as paper doors, private booths where you sit on the floor on a pillow, the sound of a Sanshin (Okinawan musical instrument) in the background, and traditionally dressed servers with kimonos and Geta (wooden footwear) makes your visit so real, you feel on vacation then try these places. 

Nami located on Adelaide St E and Toronto St, and Asuka located in York-ville on York-ville St and Avenue will definitely spark your senses and expectations when it comes to an original Japanese traditional experience.

(動) 楽しむ (Enjoy!)