Ok, here we go. Let me tell you about my desi dhaba Indian cuisine adventure.
So, I was craving some real, authentic Indian food, you know, the kind you get at those roadside dhabas in India. I wasn’t trying to start a restaurant or anything, just wanted to nail some classic dishes at home. I started by doing a bunch of online digging. I mean, tons of recipes, different techniques, everyone claiming theirs was the “real” deal. It was overwhelming, to be honest.
First up, I decided to tackle Dal Makhani. Everyone raves about it, right? I soaked the urad dal and rajma overnight, like all the recipes said. The next day, I threw it all in my Instant Pot. I figured pressure cooking would get me that creamy texture faster. Big mistake! It overflowed everywhere. Dal soup exploded all over my kitchen. Cleaning that up took forever!
After the dal debacle, I moved on to Butter Chicken. I marinated the chicken in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, and some spices I found at the local Indian grocery store. I pan-fried it till it was nicely browned. For the sauce, I went with the classic tomato, cashew, and butter base. I simmered everything together, added some cream at the end, and BAM! It actually tasted pretty damn good. I was surprised!
Then came the Naan. I tried making it from scratch. Let me tell you, making naan without a tandoor oven is a real challenge. I tried using my cast iron skillet, flipping it over, and sticking the naan to the bottom like I saw on YouTube. It sort of worked, but it was messy and the naan was unevenly cooked. Some parts were burnt, others were doughy. Eventually, I just gave up and bought some pre-made naan from the store. No shame in my game!
I also tried making Aloo Gobi (potato and cauliflower curry). This one was surprisingly easy. I just stir-fried the potatoes and cauliflower with some onions, tomatoes, and a bunch of spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander. It was simple, but super flavorful. Definitely a keeper!
I learned a lot through this whole desi dhaba cooking experience. I messed up a lot, burnt a few things, and made a huge mess. But I also managed to cook some really tasty food. The most important lesson? Don’t be afraid to experiment, have fun, and don’t worry if things don’t turn out perfect the first time. Just keep cooking!
Oh, and one more thing: invest in a good apron. You’re gonna need it.
