This is a picture which is doing the rounds of the email circuit ... too many people have sent me this one. My friend Arghaya has blogged about it, too. Even though, i couldnt resist the temptation to write about this. Given the current dietary regime i am going through (which means all the good things on the plate are out ...), the only thing i could do with this was write ... otherwise ... yes, you got it ... i would have been eating!
As you can see from this map, diversity is the buzzword when it comes to food in India. From the Gustaba, up north in Kashmir, to the Avial (and they missed out the Mutton Pepper Fry, an old favourite whenever down South ...), and from the Dhoklas in the west, to the Momos in the east, variety is the one word which describes the culinary culture of India.
Of course, there is so much variety out there, that this map doesnt even begin to cover the different delicacies which are on offer in different. They dont talk about Missal Pao when in Maharashtra, or the Jalebis of Punjab (of course, had either by themselves, or with piping hot Milk), or the Kosha Maangsho of Bengal, or the Lassi of Punjab, or Banaras, or the Daal Gosht which comes with the people from Punjab, too!
Of course, there is no way this could have captured the wonders of Phuchkas at Vivekananda Park, or Pindi ke Chholle Bhature at Darya Ganj, or the Mutton Qorma at Karim's, or the Missal Pao at Lalbagh ... But, that would be going into too much of specifics, which i am sure is way beyond any map can draw!
These apart, this also doesnt even begin to describe how the same dish, made in different parts comes out different. Take the Kadi for instance ... The way Kadi is made in Punjab, or in Rajasthan (which, incidentally, is where the Kadi originates), or in Gujarat is quite different. Or, the chhaunk in the Daal, which changes probably every 10 kms., much like the dialect of Hindi.
Overall, though, nice effort ... Wonderful point to begin an exploration into Indian food! Now, time for Lunch ... hey ... you dont think i could resist eating, having written all this?
Of course, there is so much variety out there, that this map doesnt even begin to cover the different delicacies which are on offer in different. They dont talk about Missal Pao when in Maharashtra, or the Jalebis of Punjab (of course, had either by themselves, or with piping hot Milk), or the Kosha Maangsho of Bengal, or the Lassi of Punjab, or Banaras, or the Daal Gosht which comes with the people from Punjab, too!
Of course, there is no way this could have captured the wonders of Phuchkas at Vivekananda Park, or Pindi ke Chholle Bhature at Darya Ganj, or the Mutton Qorma at Karim's, or the Missal Pao at Lalbagh ... But, that would be going into too much of specifics, which i am sure is way beyond any map can draw!
These apart, this also doesnt even begin to describe how the same dish, made in different parts comes out different. Take the Kadi for instance ... The way Kadi is made in Punjab, or in Rajasthan (which, incidentally, is where the Kadi originates), or in Gujarat is quite different. Or, the chhaunk in the Daal, which changes probably every 10 kms., much like the dialect of Hindi.
Overall, though, nice effort ... Wonderful point to begin an exploration into Indian food! Now, time for Lunch ... hey ... you dont think i could resist eating, having written all this?
7 comments:
KWEL!!!
Wanted to fill the blanks as well on my blog, but did not get the time…
Good to see it here.. and I guess thats just the begining before we dig deep!!
Good One!!! :)
digging in would be something i would do only once i am off the diet! :-) thanks, Susheel!
The map's boundaries are restrictive for the galaxy of Indian food. One would have to really be born to eat to explore this kind of diversity. Plus true foodies are forced to be on diet all the time :)
you got it, Anjali. Yes, the depth of diversity cannot be explored in the map ... no way, for example, the small shop making Missal Pao at Lalbagh, Mumbai could be captured here, though that is probably the best Missal Pao i have had.
You got to try the Mamledar misal at Thane Collector's Cafetaria. It gets its name as it is in the Tashil office. Beware though you might need the no. of the fire brigade!
I'm going to look for this place for sure next time I go home.
will try when i go to that part of town.
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